ArmaLite AR-15

This article is about the select-fire military rifle. For semi-automatic civilian rifles based on this design, see Colt AR-15 and AR-15–style rifle. For other uses, see AR-15 (disambiguation) and Black rifle.

ArmaLite AR-15
ArmaLite AR-15 with 25-round magazine
TypeAssault rifle[note 1]
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1962–1963
WarsVietnam War
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation[note 2]
Production history
Designer
Designed1956[6]
Manufacturer
Produced1959–1964[6]
Specifications
Mass6.55 lb (2.97 kg) with 20-round magazine[7]
Length39 in (991 mm)[7]
Barrel length20 in (508 mm)
Cartridge.223 Remington[7]
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt (direct expansion of gas on surfaces of bolt carrier)
Muzzle velocity3,300 ft/s (1,006 m/s)[7]
Effective firing range500 yd (457 m)
SightsIron sights

The ArmaLite AR-15[note 3] is a gas-operated assault rifle manufactured in the United States between 1959 and 1964.[10] Designed by American gun manufacturer ArmaLite in 1956, it was based on its AR-10 rifle. The ArmaLite AR-15 was designed to be a lightweight rifle and to fire a new high-velocity, lightweight, small-caliber cartridge to allow infantrymen to carry more ammunition.[11]

In 1959, ArmaLite sold its rights to the AR-15 to Colt due to financial difficulties and limitations in terms of manpower and production capacity.[1] After modifications (most notably, the charging handle was re-located from under the carrying handle like AR-10 to the rear of the receiver),[3] Colt rebranded it the Colt 601, however, it still carried the Armalite markings due to contractual obligations to Armalite/Fairchild Aircraft Co. Colt marketed the redesigned rifle to various military services around the world and was eventually adopted by the U.S. military in January 1962 and subsequently designated as M16 rifle in December 1963, which went into production and service in 1964.[10][page needed][12][page needed]

Colt continued to use the AR-15 trademark for its line of semi-automatic-only rifles marketed to civilian and law-enforcement customers, known as Colt AR-15. The Armalite AR-15 is the parent of a variety of Colt AR-15 and M16 rifle variants.

  1. ^ a b Bartocci, Christopher R. (July 16, 2012). "AR-15/M16: The Rifle That Was Never Supposed to Be". Gun Digest. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  2. ^ "Report of Task No. 13a. Test of ArmaLite Rifle. AR-15 (U)" (PDF). Research & Development Field Unit. Advanced Research Projects Agency. July 31, 1962. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2023. A lever above the grip on the left side of the receiver provides a selector for the trigger safety, semi-automatic and automatic fire. ... The AR-15 Rifle is a lightweight, gas-operated rifle equipped with a 20-round, detachable magazine. It is chambered for Cartridge, Caliber .223.
  3. ^ a b Kokalis, Peter G. Retro AR-15. nodakspud.com
  4. ^ Hobart, F. W. A., ed. (1974). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1975 (First Year of Issue). London, UK: Jane's Yearbooks. p. 246.
  5. ^ Ezell, Virginia Hart (November 2001). "Focus on Basics, Urges Small Arms Designer". National Defense. National Defense Industrial Association. Archived from the original on December 7, 2010.
  6. ^ a b Hogg, Ian V.; Weeks, John S. (2000). Military Small Arms of the 20th Century (7th ed.). Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-87341-824-9., p. 291
  7. ^ a b c d "Rifle Evaluation Study". US Army. Infantry Combat Developments Agency. February 17, 1978
  8. ^ Myre, Greg (February 28, 2018). "A Brief History Of The AR-15". National Public Radio. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2021. AR" comes from the name of the gun's original manufacturer, ArmaLite, Inc. The letters stand for ArmaLite Rifle — and not for "assault rifle" or "automatic rifle." ... The National Rifle Association estimates there are some eight million AR-15s and its variations in circulation, and says they are so popular that the "AR" should stand for "America's Rifle.
  9. ^ Sobieck, Benjamin (2015). The Writer's Guide to Weapons. Penguin. p. 202. ISBN 978-1599638157.
  10. ^ a b Kern, Danford Allan (2006). The influence of organizational culture on the acquisition of the m16 rifle (PDF) (Master of Military Art and Science). Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: US Army Command and General Staff College. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 5, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2016 – via m-14parts.com.
  11. ^ The Handbook Of The SAS And Elite Forces. How The Professionals Fight And Win. Edited by Jon E. Lewis. p.43-Tactics And Techniques, American Army Special Forces. Robinson Publishing Ltd 1997. ISBN 1-85487-675-9
  12. ^ "Report of the M16 rifle review panel" (PDF), dtic.mil, Department of the Army, June 1, 1968, archived (PDF) from the original on December 1, 2012


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