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AR-15
AR-15 SP1
The AR-15 can come in many different varieties of size, options, and manufacturer
Type Automatic / Semi-automatic rifle / Service rifle
Place of origin United States
Service history
In service 1958 to present
Production history
Designer Eugene Stoner
Designed 1957
Specifications
Weight 2. Automatic rifle is a term generally used to describe a Self-loading rifle chambered for a rifle cartridge capable of delivering both semi A semi-automatic rifle is a type of Rifle that fires a single Bullet each time the trigger is pulled without the need manually to operate a The service rifle (also known as standard-issue rifle) of a given Army or Armed force is that which it issues as standard to its Soldiers In The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Eugene Morrison Stoner (Born November 22, 1922 in Gosport, Indiana; died in Palm City Florida) 27 kg - 3. 9 kg (5. 5 - 8. 5 lb)
Barrel length
  • 20 in (508 mm) standard
  • 16 in (406 mm)
  • 14. For the fictional characters see Gunbarrel (Transformers. A gun barrel is the tube usually Metal, through which a controlled Explosion 5 in (368 mm)
Cartridge .223 Remington, 5.56 NATO
Action Direct impingement / Rotating bolt
Rate of fire 800 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 975 m/s (3,200 ft/s)
Effective range 550 m (600 yd)
Feed system Various STANAG Magazines. A cartridge (also known as a "round" packages the Bullet, Gunpowder and primer into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the 556x45mm NATO, standardized under STANAG 4172 is a Rifle cartridge. In Firearms terminology an action is the system of operation used to load rounds and/or seal the Breech. Direct impingement is a type of gas operation for a Firearm that directs gas from a fired cartridge directly to the bolt carrier or slide assembly Rate of fire is the frequency at which a specific Weapon can fire or launch its projectiles A gun's muzzle velocity is the speed at which the Projectile leaves the muzzle of the gun A STANAG magazine is a type of detachable firearm magazine standardized by NATO in October 1980
Sights Adjustable front and rear iron sights

The AR-15 is a lightweight, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine fed, semi-automatic, centerfire, shoulder-fired rifle. The term iron sights refers to the open unmagnified system used to assist the aiming of a variety of devices usually those intended to launch Projectiles such as Firearms Gas-operation is a system of operation used to provide energy to operate Autoloading firearms A magazine is an Ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a repeating Firearm. A semi-automatic, or self-loading Firearm is a gun that requires only a trigger pull for each round that is fired unlike a single-action A centerfire cartridge is a cartridge in which the primer is located in the center of the cartridge case head A rifle is a Firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves ("rifling" cut into the barrel walls The original ArmaLite/Colt AR-15 was a selective-fire prototype submitted for consideration as a military infantry rifle, which was later adopted as the M16, and is distinguished from later civilian-model AR-15 rifles marketed by Colt Firearms. ArmaLite, originally the ArmaLite Division of the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation, is a Small arms manufacturing company Colt's Manufacturing Company ( CMC --formerly Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company) is a United States Firearms manufacturer founded in M16 (more formally United States Rifle II Caliber 556 mm M16) is the U Currently, AR-15 is a generic term for a civilian semi-automatic rifle similar to the military M16/M4-type weapons.

Contents

History

The AR-15 is based on the 7. 62 mm AR-10, designed by Eugene Stoner of the Fairchild ArmaLite corporation. The AR-10 is an American 762 mm Battle rifle developed by Eugene Stoner in the late 1950s at Armalite, then a division Eugene Morrison Stoner (Born November 22, 1922 in Gosport, Indiana; died in Palm City Florida) ArmaLite, originally the ArmaLite Division of the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation, is a Small arms manufacturing company [1] The AR-15 was developed as a lighter, 5. 56 mm version of the AR-10. The "AR" in AR-15 comes from the ArmaLite name, not "assault rifle" as is commonly believed; ArmaLite's AR-1, AR-5, and some subsequent models were bolt action rifles, and there are shotguns and pistols whose model numbers also include the "AR" prefix. The AR-5 was the basis of the MA-1 aircrew survival rifle, adopted by the USAF in 1956 as a replacement for the M6 Aircrew Survival Weapon, a superposed The term bolt action refers to a type of Firearm action in which the weapon's bolt is operated manually by the opening and closing of the breech with A shotgun (also known as a scattergun) is a Firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number [1]

Colt AR-15 Sporter SP1 Carbine
Colt AR-15 Sporter SP1 Carbine

ArmaLite sold its rights to the AR-10 and AR-15 to Colt in 1959. Colt's Manufacturing Company ( CMC --formerly Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company) is a United States Firearms manufacturer founded in Colt marketed the AR-15 rifle to various military services around the world, including the U. S. Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps. The AR-15 was eventually adopted by the United States military under the designation M16. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the M16 (more formally United States Rifle II Caliber 556 mm M16) is the U However, Colt continued to use the AR-15 trademark for its semi-automatic variants (AR-15, AR-15A2) marketed to civilian and law-enforcement customers. A semi-automatic, or self-loading Firearm is a gun that requires only a trigger pull for each round that is fired unlike a single-action The original AR-15 was a very lightweight weapon, weighing less than 6 pounds with empty magazine, though later heavy-barrel versions of the civilian AR-15 can weigh upwards of 8. 5 lbs.

Today the civilian-model AR-15 and its variations are manufactured by many companies and have captured the affection of sport shooters and police forces around the world due to their accuracy and modularity. (Please refer to the M16 for a more complete history of the development and evolution of the AR-15 and derivatives. M16 (more formally United States Rifle II Caliber 556 mm M16) is the U )

The trademark "AR15" or "AR-15" is registered to Colt Industries, which maintains that the term should only be used to refer to their products. A trademark or trade mark, represented by the symbols ™ and ®, or mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual Other manufacturers make AR-15 clones marketed under separate designations, although colloquially these are sometimes also referred to by the term AR-15. AR-15 (for Ar malite model 15, often mistaken for A utomatic R ifle is the common name for the widely-owned semi-automatic A colloquialism is an expression not used in formal speech, writing or Paralinguistics.

Some notable features of the AR-15 include:

AR-15 sight picture
AR-15 sight picture

Semi-automatic and automatic variants of the AR-15 are effectively identical in appearance. WikipediaNaming In Firearms terminology the receiver is the part of a firearm that houses the operating parts Windage is a Force created on an object by Friction when there is relative movement between Air and the object Direct impingement is a type of gas operation for a Firearm that directs gas from a fired cartridge directly to the bolt carrier or slide assembly Automatic variants have a rotating selective fire switch, allowing the operator to select between three modes: safe, semi-automatic, and either automatic or three round burst, depending on model. A selective fire Firearm can be fired in both semi-automatic and any number of automatic modes by means of a selector Civilian AR-15 models usually do not have three-round burst or automatic settings on the fire selector. In semi-automatic only variants, the selector only rotates between safe and semi-automatic.

Operating mechanism

M16 rifle firing
M16 rifle firing

The mechanism of operation for the rifle is known as direct gas impingement. M16 (more formally United States Rifle II Caliber 556 mm M16) is the U Direct impingement is a type of gas operation for a Firearm that directs gas from a fired cartridge directly to the bolt carrier or slide assembly Gas is tapped from the barrel as the bullet moves past a gas port located under the rifle's front sight base. The gas rushes into the port and down a gas tube located above the barrel. The gas tube runs from the front sight base into the AR-15's upper receiver. Here, the gas tube telescopes into a “gas key” which accepts the gas and funnels it into the bolt carrier. The movement of gas into the bolt carrier forces the bolt and carrier backwards in a line with the stock of the rifle. As the bolt carrier moves towards the butt of the gun, the bolt begins to turn and unlock from the barrel extension. Once the bolt is fully unlocked it begins rearward movement along with the bolt carrier. The cam pin is responsible for the bolt's rotation as it follows a groove cut into the carrier that twists and forces the bolt to unlock. Once the bolt is unlocked, the bolt carrier and bolt continue to move towards the butt of the gun and the chambered casing is extracted and ejected out the side of the upper receiver.

A return spring located behind a buffer then pushes the bolt carrier back towards the chamber. A groove machined into the upper receiver traps the cam pin and prevents it and the bolt from rotating into a closed position. The bolt's locking lugs then push a fresh round out of the magazine, up the feed ramps and into the chamber. As the bolt's locking lugs move past the barrel extension, the cam pin is allowed to twist into a pocket milled into the upper receiver. This twisting action follows the groove cut into the carrier and forces the bolt to twist and “lock” into the barrel’s extension.

Variants

See also: AR-15 variants
Colt AR-15 A3 Tactical Carbine. Rifle is shown with a CQB Tactical Sling and a Colt 4x20 scope.
Colt AR-15 A3 Tactical Carbine. This article will help summarize the many variations on the AR-15 family of weapons Rifle is shown with a CQB Tactical Sling and a Colt 4x20 scope. Close Quarters Battle ( CQB) or close quarters combat ( CQC) is a type of fighting in which small units engage the enemy with personal weapons at very

The AR15 rifle is available in a wide range of configurations from a number of manufacturers. These configurations range from short carbine-length models with features such as adjustable length stocks and optical sights, to heavy barrel models.

Aftermarket upper receivers that incorporate barrels of different weights and lengths, and handle different caliber ammunition, abound for this rifle. In Firearms terminology the receiver is the part of a firearm that houses the operating parts They are very easily installed, due to the rifle's modular design. These calibers include (in caliber size order):

Pistol calibers:

Rifle calibers:

+ Many obscure cartridges. The Soviet 762x39mm rifle cartridge was designed during World War II and first used in the SKS Carbine.

When installing a new complete upper receiver, particularly one designed to handle a different caliber of ammunition (i. e. other than . 223 Remington or 5. 56 x 45 mm NATO), some modification to the contents of the lower receiver may also be required, depending on the particular conversion. For example, a conversion to 9mm typically would involve the installation of a magwell block (to accommodate a typical 9mm magazine, such as Uzi or Colt SMG), replacing the . 223 hammer with one designed for 9mm ammunition, and depending on your original stock, replacing the buffer, action spring and stock spacer with those designed for your new 9mm AR-15 configuration.

Earliest models had a 1:14 rate of twist, which was changed to 1:12 for original 55 grain (3. 6 g) bullets. The 1:14 rate of twist showed to be unstable in colder temperatures. Most newer configurations use 1:9 and 1:7 twist rates. There is much controversy and speculation as to how differing twist rates affect ballistics and terminal performance with varying loads, but heavier projectiles tend to perform better with faster rifling rates. Additionally, the various non . 223 / 5. 56 calibers have their own particular twist rate.

STANAG magazine compatible with the AR-15. Can be used in several other firearms such as the FN F2000 and the M16
STANAG magazine compatible with the AR-15. A STANAG magazine is a type of detachable firearm magazine standardized by NATO in October 1980 Can be used in several other firearms such as the FN F2000 and the M16

Standard issue magazines are 20 or 30 round double column magazines, traditional box magazines also exist in 40 and 45 round capacities, and usable magazines have been constructed from a variety of materials including steel, aluminum, and high-impact plastics. The F2000 is an individual 556 mm weapon system developed at the turn of the 21st century by the Belgian armament manufacturer Fabrique Nationale M16 (more formally United States Rifle II Caliber 556 mm M16) is the U Drum magazines with 90 and 100 round capacities also exist, such as Beta C-Mags. A drum magazine is a type of magazine that is cylindrical in shape similar to a Drum. The Beta C-Mag is a 100-round capacity STANAG Magazine designed for rifles and Submachine guns firing the 5 Low-capacity magazines, usually of a 5 or 10 round capacity, are available to comply with some areas' legal restrictions, hunting and because larger magazines can inhibit shooting from a benchrest. Hunting is the practice of pursuing Animals for Food, Recreation, or Trade.

Legal status in the United States

A California-legal AR-15 clone (FAR-15) with a 10 round magazine. Other notable features include fixed muzzle, forward assist,"bullet button" collapsible stock & M68(sight optic) mounted on the top rail.
A California-legal AR-15 clone (FAR-15) with a 10 round magazine. Gun laws in the United States vary from state to state and are independent of but not contradictory to existing federal firearms laws Other notable features include fixed muzzle, forward assist,"bullet button" collapsible stock & M68(sight optic) mounted on the top rail.

In the United States, variants with certain features such as collapsible stocks, flash suppressors, and bayonet lugs were prohibited for sales to civilians during the period 1994-2004 by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, under the provision known as the Assault Weapons Ban. The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act ( VCCLEA; also known as the Biden Crime Law) was an Act of Congress dealing with Crime The Federal Assault Weapons Ban ( AWB) was a subtitle of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, a Federal law of the United States Those that were manufactured with those features were stamped, "Restricted Military/Government/Law Enforcement/Export Only" as well as the accompanying high capacity magazines. Since the expiration of the Federal AWB in September of 2004,[2] these features are now legal in most states. [3]

The 2000 Assault Weapons ban in the state of California sparked a renewed interest in the AR-15 rifle. It is estimated that some 70,000 California Legal AR-15s are in existence in that state. Adding the upper receiver of a standard AR-15 or equivalent with an AR-15 equivalent lower receiver which has not been specifically banned by statute or regulation, and that has a fixed 10 round magazine will render the firearm "California legal. " In such a configuration, the user could add otherwise prohibited features such as a telescoping stock and pistol grip. The magazine is not detachable, so to load the rifle the shooter must pull the rear takedown pin, hinge the upper receiver on the front pivot pin, and load the now exposed magazine either with a stripper clip or by hand, then close. Popular lower receivers for this purpose are manufactured by Stag Arms, Fulton Armory, Dane Armory, Mega, and Ameetec. By California law if the magazine requires a tool to remove it, that changes the classification of the firearm. A tool called the "Bullet Button" is gaining in popularity: the bullet button works by replacing the magazine release button with a hollow shell that protrudes a short distance from the lower; the shooter must then push the inset pin to activate the mag release, doing so requires a tool e. g. , a bullet, hence the name. Stag makes a lower receiver called the STAG-15 which is considered an "off-list" receiver by the CA DOJ and is legal. As of December 2006, Doublestar, Stag Arms, CMMG, Spikes Tactical, and MEGA all qualify as "off-list" lowers in the state of CA. There is also one model made by Colt, the CAR-A3 HBAR Elite, that was never banned by name, and thus still legal to own in California provided it has the correct configuration. This receiver can be made into a full rifle if the following requirements are met: the receiver has a fixed magazine with no more than 10 cartridges - in which case the rifle may have pistol grips, folding or collapsing stocks, etc. ; or, the receiver may have a detachable magazine but may not possess any sort of attachment such as pistol grips, folding or collapsing stocks, etc.

Concerns

With the plethora of manufacturers of complete weapons and aftermarket barrels, there is a potential hazard associated with chamber specifications. Both civilian (SAAMI) specification . 223 Remington and 5. 56 mm NATO are available. Though both chambers typically accept both types of ammunition, the firing of military specification ammunition in civilian specification chambers can produce chamber pressures greater than the barrel is designed to handle. [4] Military specification chambers typically have a more open throat area producing less pressure and can handle both types of ammunition.

A few AR15 manufacturers incorporate the use of a hybrid chamber specification known as the Wylde chamber. Designed by and named after Bill Wylde, this chambering was created for High Power shooters after the 80 grain . 224" bullets became popular. While the Wylde chamber allows for optimal seating depth of 80 grain bullets over . 223 Remington and 5. 56 NATO, it is capable of accepting both ammunition types. The Wylde chamber is used by a few manufacturers who sell "National Match" configuration AR-15 rifle, barrels, and upper receivers.

The type of chamber, manufacturer, and rifling twist in inches is typically found stamped into the barrel in front of the front sight assembly.

An additional point of concern in the design is the inertial firing pin. A lightweight firing pin rides in a channel inside the bolt unrestrained. When the bolt locks forward during loading, the firing pin typically rides forward and impacts the chambered round's primer. In military specification ammunition and quality civilian ammunition, this is not normally enough to fire the round and only leaves a small "ding" on the primer. With more sensitive primers or improperly seated primers, this can cause a slamfire during loading. A slamfire is a premature unintended discharge of a Firearm that occurs as a round is being loaded into the chamber. [5]

See also

Manufacturers

References

  1. ^ a b A Historical Review of Armalite. Stag Arms is a Firearms Manufacturer founded in May 2003 and located in New Britain Connecticut. ArmaLite, Inc. (2004-3-27). Retrieved on 2007-04-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 467 - Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
  2. ^ ATF Online - Firearms FAQs (section O, question 1). ATF (2006-07-06). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Retrieved on 2007-01-23. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor
  3. ^ ATF Online - Firearms FAQs (section O, question 11). ATF (2006-07-06). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1044 - The Battle of Ménfő takes place 1189 - Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England Retrieved on 2007-01-23. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor
  4. ^ ArmaLite, Inc. Technical Note - 5.56 NATO vs SAAMI .223 Chambers. ArmaLite, Inc. (2002-12-04). See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. "December 4th" redirects here For the song by Jay-Z, see December 4th (song. Retrieved on 2007-01-23. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor
  5. ^ ArmaLite, Inc. Technical Note - Prevention of Slamfires. ArmaLite, Inc. (1998-12-26). Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. Retrieved on 2007-01-23. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor

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