AR-15

name=AR-15

History

Armalite sold its rights to the AR-10 and AR-15 to Colt in 1959 after which the AR-15 was adopted by the United States military under the designation M16. Colt continued to use the AR-15 trademark for its semi-automatic variants. Today the 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 low cost, accuracy, and modularity. Please refer to the M16 for a more complete history of the development and evolution of the AR-15 and derivatives.

Related Topics:
Colt - United States - M16 - Semi-automatic

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Some revolutionary or otherwise notable features of the AR-15:

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• Aircraft grade aluminum receiver
• Modular design allows for a variety of accessories, renders repair easier
• Small caliber, high velocity round
• Synthetic stock and grips do not warp or splinter
• Front ironsight adjustable for elevation
• Rear ironsight adjustable for windage and distance
• Wide array of optical devices available in addition to or as replacements of ironsights

In the United States, variants with certain features were prohibited for new 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.

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Semi-automatic and automatic variants of the AR-15 are effectively identical in appearance. Automatic variatns 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. In semi-automatic only variants, the selector only rotates between safe and semi-automatic.

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