"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for few public officials." (George Mason's Address to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 4, 1788)
The AR-15 in the US is incredibly popular, so much so that the phrase run-away success I believe is applicable. But why would a +60 year design be so popular in just one market and what would make this design suitable for We the People?
Patent number US2951424A was filed in 1956 for what would be the basis of the AR-15. For the most part, the patents for the basic AR-15 ran out a long time ago making the platform open. This, in my opinion, is the basis for why the AR-15 along with it's customizability and reasonably effective cartridge options and cost effectiveness makes for what is essentially the best rifle for the Universal Militia or We the People.
The AR-15 pattern rifle differs from other platforms in that the various parts are assembled in what we colloquially refer to as modular. Platforms such as the AK-47 and G3 based rifles use a one piece receiver with a barrel pressed into a trunnion that is then mounted in the receiver. The AR-15 uses a mating surface that is machined into the upper receiver that a barrel nut screws onto, locking the barrel into place. The lower receiver contains the trigger group and has the provisions for the stock and grip.
In the event of a major failure, the weapon can be immediately taken down into it's halves and the impacted half and be swapped for a functional one. Repairs are also relatively easy enough, depending on the part, that many repairs can be made in field.
Part of this capability is due to standardization. The AR-15 is a standardized platform and coupled with the fact that the patents ran out in the 1970's, just about any one can get into the AR-15 manufacturing game (just don't call it AR-15 since that's a Colt trademark). This has lead to reduced costs to a point that a decent, basic rifle could be had for under US$600 in 2019. This meant that had We the People bothered to stick with the militia system (instead of paying for the convivence of the very expensive Standing Army system we currently have), a fresh-faced young man on a budget could afford a rifle to be in compliance with the Militia Act of 1792. It also means that parts from the different manufacturers regardless of region should have a good chance of working in the event that needed parts must be sourced absent of your chosen builder or supply chain.
In the United States, there are manufacturers of AR-15's in every major region and many sub-regions whether it be the Northeast, Mid Atlantic, Southeast, Southwest, Mid West, Pacific Northwest etc. This provides logistical diversity and protects We the People's ability to defend ourselves should an attack occur. Should an attacker, either foreign or domestic (such as a violent anti-gun political group), attempt to sabotage a region's manufacturing capabilities, a neighboring region will be able to pump needed supplies into the impacted area (or smuggled if you live in a Slave State like NY, NJ or CA).
Generally speaking, the AR-15 platform is usually chambered in 5.56 NATO /.223 Remington/.223 Wylde. While .223 Rem / 5.56 NATO is not a very powerful cartridges compared to cartridges for hunting medium game such as 30-30 Winchester, it is capable of reaching out to 700 yards while staying supersonic. This may not present much kinetic energy at the target at this distance (under 200 ft-lbs with a 55 grain bullet) it definitely will generate the supersonic snap and keep enemy heads down. This allows your people to move in for flanking and engaging enemy infantry. At these distances, iron sights are hard to work with but since the AR-15 can accept modern optics such as the low power, variable optic type scope, we are able to more accurately deliver well aimed pills to the enemies of the Free People. Additionally, the smaller calibers use less raw materials and are produced in a major volume keeping costs down. That is not something you get with the larger old military calibers such as 30-06. It has yet to be observed with the proposed 6.8 cartridge the US Army is looking at though should a polymer case be used, the cost could be much lower. It would be interesting to see if a Militia specific polymer cartridge using the new 6.8 bullet be tailored to the AR-15 action in the event that the new cartridge is too long to fit into the AR-15.
In the end, while the AR-15 platform may not be perfect, the cost effectiveness of both the parts and manufacturing, the modularity of the platform, the open status of the patents, the utility of the platform in defensive, hunting and militia applications, the AR-15 has become a near perfect storm of a weapon system for the Free People's Universal Militia.
"The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country."
- (Proposed Draft) James Madison: I Annals of Congress 434, June 8, 1789
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