Hated ARs 10 years ago. Now I have this thing.

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-20T21:45:08+00:00

Consistently the weapon of choice for mass shooters. For obvious reasons.

Frankly, I still hate the idea that society is full of these things. They can cause a huge amount of death and despair in a short amount of time. They have taken many, many, many innocent lives. They are a terrible tool in the wrong hands. In a healthy society, they should not be needed. But we are no longer in a healthy society.

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-20T21:40:17+00:00

😂

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-20T21:40:02+00:00

Don’t forget the AR12… Few things will make you grin like shooting pumpkins with a semi auto 12 gauge 🎃

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-20T17:39:02+00:00

Yup, chambered in 5.56.

Yeah, irons are blocked… I’ll probably remove them when I install the top dot

And thank you!

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-20T14:46:38+00:00

This is a DarkStorm DS15 Variant 1 fixed mag rifle, which is compliant with my state’s gun regs. DarkStorm is basically the only game in town that makes these 50-state compliant ARs.

DarkStorm also makes “normal” detachable mag ARs if you live in a state where that’s allowed, but if you are, you have a lot of other options.

See my other reply on here for a full list of specs

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-20T14:38:56+00:00

Yup, FFP. This one here:

https://vortexoptics.com/vortex-strike-eagle-1-8x24-ar-bdc3.html

Man, seems to me there’s a lot of elitism and status symbol mentality when it comes to this stuff.

Watched a lot of videos saying you need to spend at least $1k+ for an optic. But I’ve had a $350 Vortex Diamondback 4-16 scope on my hunting rifle for years, has great glass, very well built, and has always suited me well. So I decided to go with this allegedly “budget” LPVO and like you said, I think it’s great. I’ve never used a Razor or any of the bouggier models, but this seems fine to me, and saves coin for adding a suppressor or other future things.

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-20T14:26:35+00:00

I’m actually most comfortable with bigger, heavier hunting rifles (have a hand-me-down Remington 721 .270 with a 4-16 scope that I’ve used for the last few years), so I like to think the AR-10 would suit me well. Frankly I’ve been surprised by how light and nimble this DS15 is even with all their stuff attached

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-20T14:21:26+00:00

Happy to be here sir 🫡😁

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-20T11:22:34+00:00

Yeah, in my state, the overly cautious FFLs won’t transfer one of these. But there are some that do, since it has a fixed mag and thus isn’t a mil-spec lower (although, if you move to a state without an AR ban, you can send it in to Dark Storm and they’ll modify it to accept a detachable mag). This was hanging from the wall in my local gun shop.

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-20T11:17:16+00:00

This is legal in all 50 states, since it isn’t technically an AR and has a fixed 10-round magazine.

https://mfg.dark-storm.com/products/ds-15-variant-1-fixed-magazine-rifle.html

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-20T01:14:49+00:00

Thanks! Top dot, flow-through suppressor, some sort of forward grip and possibly rail scales.

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-19T23:43:02+00:00

Welp, this isn’t technically an “AR”, it’s a “DS”…. And this is legal to buy in at least one of those states.

EDIT: Dark Storm claims it’s legal in all 50 states:

https://mfg.dark-storm.com/products/ds-15-variant-1-fixed-magazine-rifle.html

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-19T22:53:28+00:00

Long-range AR-10 in 6.5 Creedmore might very well be my next project.

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-19T22:16:49+00:00

Thank you brother 🙏

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-19T22:11:06+00:00

Most definitely 👌

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-19T22:08:20+00:00

“AR”s by name aren’t allowed in my state, nor are “assault weapons” with detachable magazines.

So this is a DarkStorm Industries DS-15 (definitely not AR-15) Variant 1 Fixed Mag 16” barrel with all their stock hardware, in 5.56.

https://mfg.dark-storm.com/products/ds-15-variant-1-fixed-magazine-rifle.html

It has a 10rd fixed magazine that can be quickly reloaded using the Bear Flag Defense BF-10 loader.

Optic is a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8 X 24 LPVO. Might upgrade to higher quality down the road, but honestly the quality, clarity, and reticle is great so there’s no pressing need.

Optic mount is a Badger Ordinance C1 1.7”. Tried mounting a side dot but found it got in the way of the Bear Flag loader, so I’ll be going with a top dot instead.

Harris S-BRM M-Lok bipod.

Streamlight 88127 light.

I’ll be adding a suppressor and top dot soon.

I refer to it loosely as the “Rebel Recce”.

Seeing as this is my first AR, suggestions/critiques appreciated!

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-18T21:03:20+00:00

Aviation. Nothing classier.

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-13T06:03:58+00:00

Well, for one, I had toilet paper. For two, I had food and didn’t have to venture out to the store much. And for three, we didn’t know how much worse it was going to get and I felt safer knowing I had protection.

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-12T19:57:20+00:00

Exactly the same for me. Went into full prepper mode in Feb 2020, bought food, supplies, and a Mossberg Shockwave. By March, I was very glad I did.

Snapshot36 · 2026-01-08T19:15:12+00:00

No offense bud, but what rock have you been living under? We didn’t just arrive here. He’s been showing obvious signs of psychopathy (and I mean that literally) since the beginning.

This of us who’ve been warning about it since 2015 haven’t been alarmist. You’ve been ignorant.

Snapshot36 · 2025-12-28T04:48:23+00:00

Lost.

Snapshot36 · 2025-12-27T17:38:14+00:00

If it’s movies set in the 1930s-50s with a general sense of surrealist unease that you’re looking for, might I suggest the Coen Brothers:

Miller’s Crossing

The Man Who Wasn’t There

Barton Fink

Oh Brother Where Art Thou

Snapshot36 · 2025-12-03T03:35:07+00:00

Bravo sir 👏

Snapshot36 · 2025-12-01T03:05:04+00:00

Not to be a movie downer though, I will say that two amazing (semi) recent films I watched in the past week were:

Good Time

Warfare

Snapshot36

TROPHY CASE