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Updated gun store recommendations
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I know it’s been asked here before but not in over a year and places have closed, moved, etc. Looking to make my first firearm purchase and I know magnolia has a ton of shops but wanted to know if one is better/more knowledgeable. Also would prefer a place that isn’t gonna shove their politics in my face while I’m trying to learn.
Top Comment: Bought my first firearm at Gun World a couple years ago before they moved to their new massive space on Magnolia/Screenland. Nobody tried to shove their politics in my face, and they were very knowledgeable and helpful. Wound up with a Glock 17, took a safety class at Firing Line then bought a membership, and I’m there a few times a month.
TIL the AR-15 does NOT use a direct impingement action.
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Wikipedia article on Direct Impingement
It is incorrectly believed that the AR-15/M16 rifle designed by Eugene Stoner uses a direct impingement action. In the Stoner system covered by U.S. Patent 2,951,424 Stoner specifically states that the action is not direct impingement saying ′′This invention is a true expanding gas system instead of the conventional impinging gas system.′′ Gas is routed from a port in the barrel directly to a chamber formed in the bolt carrier. The bolt acts as the piston and is sealed with small automobile-style piston rings. It is a gas piston system without an operating rod.
Top Comment: Here's the thing about that--Stoner made that statement in a patent document, which is specifically intended to differentiate a design from existing designs for the sake of establishing the desired patent. From any practical perspective, the AR is DI. Gas interacts directly with the bolt. End of story. Stoner was deliberately trying to split hairs because he needed the patent, and by doing so, he published pedant-bait for the ages. I mean, if you're going by that statement in a wiki article, you should note that it conflicts with the article about the AR15, which states "Action: Direct impingement / Rotating bolt." Also notice in the wording that Stoner was differentiating his design from "the conventional impinging gas system." ie, he was stating that his design was new and different from preexisting DI designs, which it was. He invented a new type of DI operation, but it's still DI in a general sense.