WWSD A Critique

It really shows that Jim Sullivan was onto something when he figured the AR-15 out from the AR-10 with Mr Stoner.

It's important to recall Mr Sullivan when talking about what would Mr Stoner have done if he'd started today.

The number one goal was a weapon that would be adopted by the military.

Everything about the AR-10 and AR-15 were in support of that goal.  With the deck stacked deeply against them because the M14 wasn't that long in the tooth when they started pitching their concept.

Abandoning steel and wood for aluminum and synthetics because technology had advanced thanks to WW2 wasn't taken as the reason for the development.

When they were up against the M14's prototype and the FAL contender with the AR-10 they even showed the problems with "lighter weight at all cost."  They burst a barrel and were forced to withdraw from the competition.

Some of the ideas in AR's tend to ignore what would Stoner did?

The modular Cadillac Gage 63 system and the AR-18 say a great deal about where his mind was.

He abandoned advanced materials for designs which could be built with a lower level of technology.

WWSD is an exercise in making an AR light for lightness sake using the latest and greatest materials.

Bully for them!

But it comes with a terrible cost.

Costs that Stoner and Sullivan realized would keep their rifle from mainstream acceptance even if the customers accepted the space-age materials.

The two things remaining on the AR-15 from the advanced materials list were the aluminum receivers and the non-wood furniture.  With specific materials chosen from a list of proven materials.  Proven in aviation, not firearms, but well within a division of Fairchild Aviations ability to make.

The WWSD rifle uses a lot of new materials which are proven in aviation use too.  But the prices have yet to come down.

A WWSD upper receiver on overstock clearance is still near a grand.

More than a complete rifle from PSA and a crate of ammo.  And the PSA gun will come with a way to aim it!

So far, I'm just not seeing what the premium price gets you besides the lower mass.

And embracing the KE Arms KP-15 lower has the mass with a PSA upper well below the "good enough" line.

Perfect has long been the mortal foe of good enough.

That applies to accuracy as well.  Especially since it's a rare AR, from any maker, that will not far outshoot the shooter.  Most of us will be better served by using the difference in price between my Behind Every Blade of Grass idea and What Would Stoner Do? on ammunition and range time.

Or, dare I say it, taking a class on how to employ their new toy to its fullest!

But that's just me.