I look at an AR, and all I see is a carbine dressed in fugly Ikea furnitureWhat can I say? I like a walnut stock and grip.So are ARs just tacti-cool, to appeal to the youth market?Aside from weight, do they have any advantage over the older mil spec rifles?The AR platform is different from past generations of rifles, the design is entirely different The AR-15 and variants( aside from piston driven versions) are dirent impingement gas operated rotating boltHaving a upper lower receiver made of aluminum and barrel made of either chrome or stainless steel The polymer parts ie handguard and stock are better for humid conditions as it doesn\'t swell or splinter like wood can A quad rail is for mounting optics and accessories, it has a purpose The AR15 never had a wood stock or gripIf you prefer walnut and blued steel I suggest you look into guns like the M1 Carbine, M1a, M1 Garand, Marlins, Winchesters, Henry\'s , ect ectAs for the round the 5.55x45mm NATO round was easier to control under full auto fire than the 7.62x51mm NATO M14The magazine also held more rounds though the military is using both 7.62 and 5.56 now The AR15 is a practical modular platform which is why its so popular, the older guns are great too, maybe you should try one at a range.Other related question