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Evolution of the AR-15
In December of
1959, Colt acquired manufacturing and marketing rights
to the AR-15. In 1962 Colt was able to get the
Department of Defense's Advanced Research Project Agency
(ARPA) to test 1,000 weapons in its Vietnam-oriented
Project Agile. An enthusiastic report led to more
studies from the Department of Defense and the
Department of the Army, and despite strong Army
opposition, Defense Secretary McNamara ordered 85,000
M16's for Vietnam, and 19,000 for the Air Force.
However, early reports showed that the M16 was not
living up to expectations. These reports, presented to
McNamara by the Ordnance Department, showed the M16
having reliability as well as accuracy problems. These
reports in turn praised the Ordnance Department's own
M14. While the M14 performed well, it was too heavy for
the hot jungles of Southeast Asia, and its ammunition
also would not allow more than 50-100 rounds to be
carried on patrols, severely limiting its capabilities
as an automatic weapon.
Further evaluation of the M14 and M16 was done by an
independent agency. It concluded that M14 was not as bad
as had been suggested by some, that the AR-15 itself was
not as good as its proponents had represented it to be.
However, they did note that the AR-15 had greater
capability for improvement, and that its small size and
weight made it a handier weapon in Vietnam.
The M16 was issued w/o proper training and inadequate
cleaning supplies. Combined with the humid jungle of
Southeast Asia, this caused problems and the rifle
gained a bad reputation. Because tolerances were tighter
than in previous military arms, the M16 had to be kept
extremely clean. War correspondents filed reports where
the M16 was jamming, and many were shown on the evening
news. It was reported that our soldiers were being
killed by a faulty rifle.
This led to Congressional investigations which turned up
two related problems. First, the cleaning issue. As
training was provided, supplies issued, and some
redesign, M16 performed more reliably. The second issue
dealt with the use of ball propellants instead of IMR
propellants. Remington had developed the 5.56mm round
using one type of powder, but the specification was
changed during military contract production to allow an
alternate. This powder caused more fouling and increased
the rate of fire.
M16A1
The replacement
of the powder, combined with a new buffer to slow rate
of fire, a chrome plated chamber and barrel to improve
rust resistance, a closed prong flash-hider, forward
bolt assist, new buttstock w/storage for cleaning kit,
and introduction of a 30-shot magazine was adopted as
the M16A1 and performed well for the duration of the
60's and 70's. This rifle was also produced by GM and
Harington & Richardson during Vietnam era as well as
other countries including the Philippines.
M16A2
In the late
1970's, the Army re-examined it's rifle situation.
Existing M16s were well worn, and the current programs
that were looking into a replacement for the M16 were
not far enough along. So in 1978, the M16 underwent a
Product Improvement Program. The results were an
increased barrel diameter, and one whose rifling was
changed from 1:12 to 1:7 to accommodate the new round,
developed by Belgium's Fabrique Nationale, the SS109.
This round extended the range of the rifle, and
propelled a 62gr bullet with a steel core at over 3000
fps. The rear sight was modified to allow more accurate
adjustments of windage by hand, as well as for elevation
calibrated out to 800 meters. It incorporated a case
deflector to prevent brass from hitting left-handed
firers, and new round handguards to replace the older
triangular design. Also, full-auto capability was
replaced with a three-shot burst. This allowed for more
controlled firing, as well as greater accuracy as all
three rounds are downrange before the effects of recoil
can impact their path. This new rifle was adopted as the
M16A2.
AR15M4
In 1994, the
U.S. Army officially adopted its second carbine of the
20th century. Though carbine versions of the M16 had
been used all along (as the XM177 as well as the
CAR-15), demand for these was limited to select groups.
With the increase in the use of Special Operations
forces during and after the Cold War, the demand for a
shorter, lightweight weapon was increased. The M4 was
developed by Colt's Manufacturing Company, and is
intended to be used by Special Operations forces as well
as other select members of the military. It is designed
to replace a variety of carbines and SMGs in the Army's
arsenal, as well as to repeat the accuracy and
reliability of the M16A2. It uses a 14.5" barrel, and a
four-position telescoping stock while maintaining the
ability to mount an M203 grenade launcher. In the
collapsed position, it measures under 30 inches, and
weights just over 5 1/2 pounds, with an effective range
of 600 meters. The M4 is available with 3-shot bursts
(M4) as well as full-auto capabilities (M4A1). Both
versions of the M4 are equipped with a Picatinny-Weaver
Rail system to replace the carry handle. This allows for
a variety of sighting systems to be mounted atop the
receiver, from the standard handle with A2 sights to
night-vision devices, scopes, and lasers.
Industry Partner Note:
Family Indoor Shooting Range
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Indy Retail Store Customers
Only
AR15's
starting under $900.
Colt - Sig Arms - Bushmaster
- DPMS - Smith and Wesson MP-15 - Rock River- LWRC - FN PS90 - Sig
556 - FN2000. The retail store has over 60 Black rifles and
pistols including the Sig 556 pistol , the HK 22LR clones - and a
few more.
We just received this group
of new in the box Black rifles from a distressed wholesaler and
are not readily replaceable.
Stop in and
buy yours now at Pre-Obama Prices!
Sorry these items are not
available on line. Available at the retail store only.
Sorry no Dealers.
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