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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:38:41 PM EDT
Did the AR-15 come before the M-16?
I know I'm an idiot 
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:40:35 PM EDT
[#1]
Yes. It was called the AR-15 first.
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:41:23 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yes. It was called the AR-15 first. I'm Aviation so I have an excuse. 
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:41:27 PM EDT
[#3]
Yes. People often say that the AR-15 is the civilian version of the M-16, but actually the M-16 is the military version of the AR-15. Check out the Retro section of this site, there's a lot of good info about the early AR-10 and AR-15 models and the adoption of the platform by the U.S. military.
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:42:12 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Yes. It was called the AR-15 first. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:43:11 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
the AR-16 was a prototype 7.62 and the AR-17 was a shotgun Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Yes. It was called the AR-15 first. Really? |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:43:29 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm Aviation so I have an excuse. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Yes. It was called the AR-15 first. I'm Aviation so I have an excuse. I was an Airwinger. No excuses. 
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:44:05 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
Did the AR-15 come before the M-16? I know I'm an idiot One less awesome feature? |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:45:06 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Really? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Yes. It was called the AR-15 first. Really? |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:46:35 PM EDT
[#9]
AR16 is badass. Looks badass anyway. They should make a modern interpretation of it just because it looks so cool....
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:47:23 PM EDT
[#10]
The AR-17 is a semi-auto sporting shotgun.
Also, the M16 is an AR-15 just like an M9 is a 92FS. 
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:49:36 PM EDT
[#11]
AR is the prefix for models that Armalite produced in numerical order. It has nothing to do with the military designation of M16. The military is really weird in how they designate makes/models of weapons that most of the time doesn't really follow any sort of order from what I can tell.
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:49:57 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
AR16 is badass. Looks badass anyway. They should make a modern interpretation of it just because it looks so cool.... http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2389/ar16kv1.jpg Look a little FALish, I like it. 
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:50:35 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
AR16 is badass. Looks badass anyway. They should make a modern interpretation of it just because it looks so cool.... http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2389/ar16kv1.jpg It just looks like a 7.62/.308 AR-18/AR-180. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:51:23 PM EDT
[#14]
AR stands for Assault Rifle and 15 is the 15th version of the rifle.
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:51:48 PM EDT
[#15]
One is the numerical designation given to the design by Armalite, one is the designation given to it by the military when it was adopted. Just because the numbers are one digit off, doesn't mean they're related.
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:52:13 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: AR stands for Assault Rifle and 15 is the 15th version of the rifle.  |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:52:39 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
AR stands for Assault Rifle and 15 is the 15th version of the rifle. AR stands for ArmaLite. ETA:Quality Trolling. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:53:31 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
AR stands for Assault Rifle and 15 is the 15th version of the rifle. 
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:55:27 PM EDT
[#19]
Here is an early M16 roll mark. In short, the AR15 stands for Armalite model 15. The M16 is a military designation for the AR15.
   They only dropped the AR15 roll mark when the M16A1 design was standardized.  Photos came from retroblackrifle.com ETA: Colt introduced the "AR15" as a semi-auto rifle to the civilian market in 1964. This is why we tend to call full auto AR15's M16's and call semi-auto AR15's AR15's. It's an easier distinction to make. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 2:57:11 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
AR stands for Assault Rifle and 15 is the 15th version of the rifle. Well played. Have you ever thought about getting into politics? |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:00:23 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: AR is the prefix for models that Armalite produced in numerical order. It has nothing to do with the military designation of M16. The military is really weird in how they designate makes/models of weapons that most of the time doesn't really follow any sort of order from what I can tell. It makes sense to the folks in procurement, that's about it. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:01:21 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: AR stands for Assault Rifle and 15 is the 15th version of the rifle. Hahahahaha. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:02:21 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It just looks like a 7.62/.308 AR-18/AR-180. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
AR16 is badass. Looks badass anyway. They should make a modern interpretation of it just because it looks so cool.... http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2389/ar16kv1.jpg It just looks like a 7.62/.308 AR-18/AR-180. Which is just another way of saying "badass", no? |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:03:10 PM EDT
[#24]
Eugene was born in Arkansas (AR) and came up with the rifle design when he was 15. The legend is that he was standing on the toilet hanging a clock, and slipped and hit his head in the sink. When he woke up he saw the rifle.
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:04:02 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
AR16 is badass. Looks badass anyway. They should make a modern interpretation of it just because it looks so cool.... http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2389/ar16kv1.jpg Is that an AR-180??? Cause that's what that looks like!! |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:05:30 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
AR16 is badass. Looks badass anyway. They should make a modern interpretation of it just because it looks so cool.... http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2389/ar16kv1.jpg Stoner thought it would be more successful than the scaled down version of his AR10. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:06:29 PM EDT
[#27]
The AR-15 is the AR-15. Putting a longer or shorter barrel on it doesn't change that it is an AR-15. Painting it pink doesn't change that it is an AR-15. Having a switch that is safe-semi-full, or safe-semi-3, or safe-semi doesn't change it either.
The M16 is an AR-15 with one specific set of features. The M16A1 is an AR-15 with a different set of features. Same with the M16A2 through M16A6. The M4 is an AR-15 with one specific set of features. The number after the M has nothing to do with whatever the inventor chose to call his gun. The AR-15 was invented by Eugene Stoner while working for the company Armalite. Mr Stoner was not affiliated with the military, nor was Armalite. Mr Stoner and Armalite could have chosen to call the rifle the Stoner 1000, the Poop Shooter 1-0-1, or anything they wanted, and this name would have no impact on what the military decided to call it. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:09:42 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm Aviation so I have an excuse. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Yes. It was called the AR-15 first. I'm Aviation so I have an excuse. fuckin' BB stackers....
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:14:02 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Is that an AR-180??? Cause that's what that looks like!! Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
AR16 is badass. Looks badass anyway. They should make a modern interpretation of it just because it looks so cool.... http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2389/ar16kv1.jpg Is that an AR-180??? Cause that's what that looks like!! Pretty much, but in 7.62 instead of 5.56. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:37:04 PM EDT
[#30]
The prototype AR15's made in Armalite's tool room were all select-fire guns as well, meant for military competition for the Small Caliber High Velocity trials.
The first production guns were made by Colt, under the nomenclature Model 601, with Armalite still engraved on the receivers. 
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:41:01 PM EDT
[#31]
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:41:48 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The prototype AR15's made in Armalite's tool room were all select-fire guns as well, meant for military competition for the Small Caliber High Velocity trials. The first production guns were made by Colt, under the nomenclature Model 601, with Armalite still engraved on the receivers. http://bpullignwolnet.dotster.com/retroblackrifle/sitebuilder/images/DSC016812-653x242.jpg I've always wondered why they went from green furniture to black. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:52:10 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I've always wondered why they went from green furniture to black. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
The prototype AR15's made in Armalite's tool room were all select-fire guns as well, meant for military competition for the Small Caliber High Velocity trials. The first production guns were made by Colt, under the nomenclature Model 601, with Armalite still engraved on the receivers. http://bpullignwolnet.dotster.com/retroblackrifle/sitebuilder/images/DSC016812-653x242.jpg I've always wondered why they went from green furniture to black. It's actually Bakelite painted Green: 
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Posted: 9/25/2013 3:56:41 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It's actually Bakelite painted Green: http://weaponsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Colt-AR-15-Model-601-SN-000115.jpg Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
The prototype AR15's made in Armalite's tool room were all select-fire guns as well, meant for military competition for the Small Caliber High Velocity trials. The first production guns were made by Colt, under the nomenclature Model 601, with Armalite still engraved on the receivers. http://bpullignwolnet.dotster.com/retroblackrifle/sitebuilder/images/DSC016812-653x242.jpg I've always wondered why they went from green furniture to black. It's actually Bakelite painted Green: http://weaponsman.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Colt-AR-15-Model-601-SN-000115.jpg Ah I see now. I thought they went from Bakelite to green plastic to black plastic. Thanks! |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 4:08:57 PM EDT
[#35]
If I am not mistaken, the rifle Gen. Curtis LeMay fired was an AR-15. After blasting some watermelons and being pleased with the over all weapon, he decided that he wanted it to replace the M-1 Carbines then carried by Air Police (later Security Police and now Security Forces) troops securing his SAC bases and missile fields.
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Posted: 9/25/2013 4:09:58 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Really? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Yes. It was called the AR-15 first. Really? No shit
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Posted: 9/25/2013 4:10:53 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted: fuckin' BB stackers.... Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Yes. It was called the AR-15 first. I'm Aviation so I have an excuse. fuckin' BB stackers....  |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 4:32:50 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
AR stands for Assault Rifle and 15 is the 15th version of the rifle. The "M" in M-16 was for Mattel, the 16 for the age group. 16 and up.
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Posted: 9/25/2013 4:34:49 PM EDT
[#39]
Already answered.
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Posted: 9/25/2013 5:17:37 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If I am not mistaken, the rifle Gen. Curtis LeMay fired was an AR-15. After blasting some watermelons and being pleased with the over all weapon, he decided that he wanted it to replace the M-1 Carbines then carried by Air Police (later Security Police and now Security Forces) troops securing his SAC bases and missile fields. Yes. Then SecDef MacNamara got involved. The AR15's story is one of the most strangely-conceived series of events, in the relatively unknown shadow of the AR10. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 6:18:20 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Yes. It was called the AR-15 first. I'm Aviation so I have an excuse. fuckin' BB stackers....
IYAOYAS |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 6:19:57 PM EDT
[#42]
It has 5 more thrusts per squeeze vs the original AR-10
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Posted: 9/25/2013 6:21:58 PM EDT
[#43]
For comparison, here is an AR10.
 And here is a prototype AR15.   |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 6:26:13 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
AR16 is badass. Looks badass anyway. They should make a modern interpretation of it just because it looks so cool.... http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2389/ar16kv1.jpg Looks like they tried to make an FAL but didn't. This reminds me of how much I want an FAL... |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 6:34:16 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The AR-15 is the AR-15. Putting a longer or shorter barrel on it doesn't change that it is an AR-15. Painting it pink doesn't change that it is an AR-15. Having a switch that is safe-semi-full, or safe-semi-3, or safe-semi doesn't change it either. The M16 is an AR-15 with one specific set of features. The M16A1 is an AR-15 with a different set of features. Same with the M16A2 through M16A6. The M4 is an AR-15 with one specific set of features. The number after the M has nothing to do with whatever the inventor chose to call his gun. The AR-15 was invented by Eugene Stoner while working for the company Armalite. Mr Stoner was not affiliated with the military, nor was Armalite. Mr Stoner and Armalite could have chosen to call the rifle the Stoner 1000, the Poop Shooter 1-0-1, or anything they wanted, and this name would have no impact on what the military decided to call it. Stoner and Armalite first had the AR 10. The AR15 was an after thought. Colt bought the rights to produce the AR15. You are over generalizing. The M4, etc are not AR15s in the pure sense. In the conceptual sense they are variations on the original design, but M4 means a very specific Mil Spec. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 6:36:44 PM EDT
[#46]
Well, I certainly learned a few new things today.
I was always under the assumption the M-16 was developed for the military back in the late 50's by Stoner, and the AR was its offspring. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 6:37:15 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Looks like they tried to make an FAL but didn't. This reminds me of how much I want an FAL... Quote History |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 6:38:00 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Well, I certainly learned a few new things today. I was always under the assumption the M-16 was developed for the military back in the late 50's by Stoner, and the AR was its offspring. Me too 
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Posted: 9/25/2013 7:07:45 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Well, I certainly learned a few new things today. I was always under the assumption the M-16 was developed for the military back in the late 50's by Stoner, and the AR was its offspring. Nope, Amalite was designing guns and trying to sell them to anyone that would buy. |
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Posted: 9/25/2013 7:12:58 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
AR stands for Assault Rifle and 15 is the 15th version of the rifle. CAR-15 was the version made for motorized operations, which is why it is shorter with a collapsible stock. |
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