AR-15
Colt's Manufacturing Company · Rifle · In Production · 1963
Also known as: ArmaLite Rifle, Colt AR-15, Modern Sporting Rifle, MSR
Overview
The AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by Colt's Manufacturing Company since 1963. Featuring a 30-round magazine capacity, this rifle offers generous firepower for duty use and home defense.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2890 g (101.9 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3400 g (119.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 991 mm (39.02") |
| Barrel Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Height | 248 mm (9.76") |
| Width | 64 mm (2.52") |
| Sight Radius | 501 mm (19.72") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 24 N (5.4 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 948 m/s (3110 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1796 J (1325 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 503 m (550 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3600 m (3937 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Anodized |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO
- .223 Remington — also known as .223 Rem, .223
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector
- Features: Direct Impingement Gas System, Rotating Bolt, Modular Upper Lower Receiver, Inline Stock, Pistol Grip, Picatinny Rail, Forward Assist, Brass Deflector
Variants
- Colt AR-15A2 Sporter II — Standard
- Colt AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine — Carbine
- Colt LE6920 — Law Enforcement
- AR-15 Pistol — Pistol Configuration
Service history
Operators
- United States Civilian Market · adopted 1963
- United States Law Enforcement · adopted 1964 · as Patrol Rifle
Production
Estimated total produced: 20,000,000 · Production years: 1963-present
An estimated 20+ million AR-15 pattern rifles are in civilian ownership in the United States alone. Manufactured by hundreds of companies worldwide.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Eugene Stoner
Notes
The civilian AR-15 is semi-automatic only and should not be confused with the military M16 or M4 which are select-fire. The 5.56 NATO chamber can safely fire both 5.56x45mm NATO and .223 Remington ammunition, but firing 5.56 NATO in a .223 Remington-only chamber can produce dangerously high pressures. Standard barrel twist rate for modern AR-15s is 1:7 inches (178mm), optimized for the 62-grain M855/SS109 NATO projectile. An estimated 20+ million AR-15 pattern rifles are in civilian ownership in the United States.
Background
The 'AR' in AR-15 stands for 'ArmaLite Rifle' after the company that originally designed it, not 'assault rifle' as commonly believed. Eugene Stoner's revolutionary design used aerospace-grade aluminum and synthetic materials at a time when military rifles were expected to be made of wood and steel.