Richard A. Mann - Gun Digest Shooters Guide to the AR-15

I first met James Guthrie during a visit to the headquarters of the National Rifle Association. I was there to talk with the editor of Shooting Illustrated, which is the NRAs newsstand magazine. Guthrie was at his desk wearing Carharts, a button-up shirt, and what Ive now learned was very likely the only tie he owned. Best described as a country boy from Georgia, Guthrie and this hillbilly hit it off.

Shortly after that, Guthrie left the NRA for a career as a freelance gun writer. Some questioned his logic, but I understood that D.C.s Beltway was no place for a guy like Guthrie. He did well, and it wasnt long until he was covered up with work that included guest-starring on a television show called Modern Rifle Adventures, which aired on the Sportsman Channel and was a show all about the AR.

While Guthrie was always a blast to have around a campfire or on the range, and while some of his writing have helped to educate thousands hunters and shooters, I believe his greatest contribution to the shooting sports and, now, his legacy, will be how he aptly demonstrated that the AR-15 was a viable sporting rifle that even a good old country boy could put to good use. During the many episodes of Modern Rifle Adventures that aired, shooters and hunters got a look at one of the most unforgettable personalities Ive ever met; Im sure that was contrary to what many viewers assumed, but Guthrie wasnt acting. What you saw was both real and what those of us who knew him expected every time we were around him.

Just about six months before Guthrie passed away, he attended a bachelor party/gator hunt for a mutual friend. My son, Bat, who was 12 at the time, met Guthrie, and they immediately connected. Bat was drawn to Guthrie, because he was a man living his dream and having fun and because Guthrie could go from adult to teenager in the same sentence. Guthrie liked Bat, I think, because he saw some of his own gregarious personality in him. Guthrie told Bat he laughed like a little girl, Bat told Guthrie he could outshoot him and, after dinner one evening, they were found in the parking lot talking about girls and seeing who could jump the highest. That was the magic inside James Guthrie. He infected everyone with his smile and energy.

All writers hope they can leave a legacy with their work, and Guthrie undoubtedly touched many with his words in print and in film. What Ill remember most are the smiles and laughter he etched on so many hearts. Ill forever think of Guthrie any time I laugh beside a campfire or hunt with an AR, and my life and the lives of many others, including my sons, are richer for knowing him.

Although this book pales in comparison to the positive introduction to the AR rifle Guthrie gave so many viewers on Modern Rifle Adventures, where he continually upstaged his older and balding deadpan host, it is has come to me that this is my opportunity to try to fill the void Guthrie left. As it is, its just a drop in the bucket we will all be trying to fill for a long time; if James Guthrie were still here, hes the one who should have written it. Then, you could have learned all Guthrie knew about the AR and experienced his one of a kind, Southern-influenced, country boy humor at the same time.

I was hunting in Africa with friends, when I learned Guthrie had died. Hurting, we all did what Guthrie would have done, had he been in our shoes: we went hunting and we shot stuff. It could have only been better if wed been hunting with ARs, and with him.

I miss him.

Give me an A! Give me an R! Whats that spell? AR! Whats that stand for? ArmaLite! Well, thats what it stood for until Richard Mann had his say.

Ill bet that ArmaLites Eugene Stoner never imagined how powerful a statement those two simple letters, side by side, have made over the last 60 years. Mr. Stoner completed the design of his revolutionary AR-10 select-fire rifle, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, back in 1955. A short while later, Stoners chief assistants at ArmaLite scaled down the original design to create what the world knows today as the 5.56mm NATO-chambered AR-15.

That bit of trivia aside, since you have picked up Richard A. Manns Shooters Guide to the AR-15, you either recently purchased your first AR, youre on the hunt for the first of many AR-platform rifles or, perhaps, youre looking to improve your overall knowledge and ability to effectively run such rifles. Doesnt matter, youre in good hands with Richard, rest assured! As a gun magazine editor for Harris Publications, Ive had the great pleasure of working with Richard for more than a decade. He is a tried and true, been-there-done-that contributor guys like me reach for, when were in a jam for strong editorial content.

Richard sort of coined the phrase Americas rifle, when referring to the AR, and thats something youll come to completely understand every time you reach for the Gun Digest Shooters Guide to the AR-15. And reach for it you will, every time you need help learning how to operate, maintain, and service your AR, and even when you just want to better understand how one works. Youll also reach for Shooters Guide to the AR-15 when youre prepping for your next hunt or shooting competition, to learn how to select the best optic or cartridge for your AR. Richards a master, when it comes to cartridges, ballistics, and handloading, so, if thats part of your future game plan, again, Richards book will get you started down the road in the right direction.

I like to say, Your AR is not your AR until you dress it for your personal shooting endeavors. Translation: Youll reach for Shooters Guide to the AR-15 when it comes time to add AR furniture and accessories like super-slick handguards and grips, AR-dedicated optics and backup sights, specialty buttstocks, and a ton more! Richard has tested them all through the years, and his integrity in this business is unwavering. Trust me, hell steer you in the right, commonsense, and practical/tactical direction that will save you hard-earned money in the long run.

When it comes to feeding your AR, its best to remember the old saying Waste not, want not. With ever-rising ammunition costs, overall demand being at an all-time high, and suppliers having difficulty keeping up, no savvy rifleman wants to blow through their ammo while trying to zero their rifle. Before you next range session, youll want to reach for Shooters Guide to the AR-15, so you wont waste your lead downrange. Ammo-saving efforts will come by way of reading up on how Richard sets you dead straight on things like zeroing the AR, proper shooting positions, sound training and practice drills, and a host of other weapon-craft secrets.

What youve just read merely scratches the surface of what this new book brings to the AR shooters benchand thats just for new shooters. Before long, youll be reaching for Shooters Guide to AR-15 and flipping to the chapter where the author shows you how to build your very own AR rifle from scratch!

With all that reaching for this book that youll be doing, might I make a suggestion to you before you lock and load? Stash a copy of Gun Digest Shooters Guide to the AR-15 in your range bag or AR rifle case. Heck, you might even want to buy a second copy to keep handy by your in-home gunsmithing station. Its bound to be a helping hand when you most need one.

Anyway, welcome to the exciting, skys-the-limit world of AR ownership. Be safe and enjoy reaching for all the AR stars that Richard has dished out for you in this great title.