The AR-15 is a military and civilian gas-operated rifle that has been produced in many different versions. The term “AR-15” was chosen by Colt for the civilian models it produced after selling the rifle to the US military as the M16 rifle, and many people and references use the term “AR-15” exclusively for civilian models. This article discusses the original design for military users and its major variants, however they are labeled. AR-15 rifles are lightweight, magazine-fed, air-cooled, fire an intermediate cartridge, and are manufactured with extensive use of aluminum alloys and synthetic materials.
The AR-15 was first built in 1959 by ArmaLite as a small arms rifle for the United States armed forces. Because of financial problems, ArmaLite sold the design toColt. After some modifications, the redesigned rifle was adopted as the M16 rifle. In 1963, Colt started selling the semi-automatic version of the rifle for civilians designated as the Colt SP1. Although the name “AR-15” remains a Colt registered trademark, variants of the firearm are made, modified, and sold under various names by multiple manufacturers.
M16
The M16 rifle, officially designated Rifle, Caliber 5.56 mm, M16, is a United States military adaptation of the ArmaLite AR-15 rifle.
The original M16 was aselect-fire, 5.56×45mm rifle with a 20-round magazine.
In 1964, the M16 entered American military service and following year was deployed for jungle warfare operations during the Vietnam War.
In 1969, the M16A1 replaced the M14 rifle to become the U.S. military’s standard service rifle.
The M16A1 improvements include a bolt-assist, chrome plated bore and a new 30-round magazine.
In 1983, the USMC adopted the M16A2 rifle and the U.S. Army adopted it in 1986. The M16A2 fires the improved 5.56×45mm NATO(M855/SS109) cartridge and has a new adjustable rear sight, case deflector, heavy barrel, improved handguard, pistol grip and buttstock, as well as a semi-auto and three-round burst only fire selector.
Adopted in 1998, the M16A4 is the fourth generation of the M16 series. It is equipped with a removable carrying handle and Picatinny rail for mounting optics and other ancillary devices.
The M16 has also been widely adopted by other militaries around the world. Total worldwide production of M16s has been approximately 8 million, making it the most-produced firearm of its 5.56 mm caliber. The U.S. Army has largely replaced the M16 in combat units with the shorter and lighter M4 carbine, and the U.S. Marine Corps approved a similar change in October 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0dlkgkbPgE
Disclaimer
Knowing the potential offensive military weapon, we believe that should not be sold on the civilian market.