The AR-15 is one of the most recognizable rifle platform systems in the world, and for good reason.
Designed in 1958 to replace the heavy and cumbersome M1 Garand, the AR-15 became the gold standard of rifle platforms for the US military for the next 50 years. With variants such as the M-16 and M-4 carbine, this rifle system has stood the test of time and undergone many different upgrades and variations, used to this day.
Here’s an intro guide to how the AR-15 came about!
Precursors
After WWII, a small firearms company named ArmaLite produced their first rifle, the AR-1 Parasniper rifle.
Their first few rifles were hunting rifles, and made for hunters.
The AR-10 was the first rifle to be made with the military in mind, and was submitted to the US Army for review when the Army declared they were trying to replace the M1 Garand.
While the AR-10 didn’t pass the review board, and the Springfield T44E4 was adopted as the M14, it’s radically different design impressed certain members of the Defense Department.
They called Eugene Stoner, the head designer of the AR-10, to develop a new rifle system, and he came up with the AR-15 design.
Scaled down from the 7.62mm AR-10, the AR-15 fired a 5.56mm round, weighed 6 pounds, and had a 20-round magazine. Its new design changes were finalized in 1958.
Manufacturing Changes
ArmaLite sold the manufacturing rights to Colt in 1959 due to financial problems, and Colt began marketing the AR-15 to militaries throughout the world.
The US Army still favored the M14, however, and didn’t want to adopt the AR-15, despite most reports saying that the AR-15 was a superior weapon.
After much debate, and a rigorous series of tests, the AR-15 was adopted by the US Army in January 1963, and labeled “Rifle, Caliber 5.56 mm, M16.”
There were still controversies over certain parts of the gun, so the Air Force began using the M16, while the rest of the service branches began using a modified version (with a forward assist), called the XM16E1.
The Army adopted it for use in jungle warfare in Vietnam, and the M16 variant became the only adopted system used for military versions of the gun.
Later Years
In 1994, the M16 variant of the AR-15 was adapted for close quarters combat (CQB), and the M4 Carbine was born.
The M4 has seen extensive use in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is also based on the AR-15 base rifle platform system.
Additional variants include the CAR-15, the SR-47, the C7, the T65, and the Bushmaster C4.
The uses for these guns are quite varied:
Released by Colt in the late 60’s and early 70’s, the CAR-15 was adopted by the US Military as the XM16E1, and later the M16A1. This was an attempt to associate the Ar-15 design model with Colt (who purchased the manufacturing rights from ArmaLite in 1959).
This is a gun manufactured by Knight’s Armament Company (after the patent expired and the AR-15 rifle system could be used by anyone) specifically for Special Operations Command (SOCOM). This gun uses the AR-15 rifle platform but is adapted to use AK-47 magazines, and fire 7.62 rounds.
The C7’s full name is the Colt Canada C7 Service Rifle, manufactured by Colt Canada, and used by Canadian forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is similar in build to the M16A3.
This rifle is a Taiwanese-designed and manufactured rifle based heavily on the AR-15 and AR-18 models. The stock is reshaped, the iron sights are different, and the handguard is changed, but the core design is still the same.
Designed and manufactured by Bushmaster Firearms International, this gun is similar to the M4 Carbine. It fires a 5.56mm caliber round, and while not used by the US military, is employed by over 60 other nations militaries and law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Present Day
As of this writing, over 80 countries currently use the AR-15 rifle platform, and it shows no signs of slowing, including the following countries.
Additionally, there are civilian and law enforcement types as well on the market.
Check out the PAMAX Tactical store for AR-15 accessories and more!