Guns have made their way into history books within every nation across the globe. However, in the United States, one firearm continues to receive boundless love and an equal amount of criticism and hate.
There’s truth in saying there’s no gun more beloved or hated than the American Classic—the AR15. It’s a firearm representing arguments for gun rights and gun control supporters.
Please keep reading to discover more about the iconic AR15 and why it’s impacted American history.
AR15: Introducing an American Classic
Firearms have had a place in American history from the country’s roots. They served as a tool for early Americans to protect their homes, protect themselves, and bring food to the table through hunting.
For many modern Second Amendment activists, the AR15 or black rifles perfectly represent core American principles and values. However, many gun control supporters feel these military-style rifles are unnecessary and capable of nothing more than mass murder.
If you take the time, it’s easy to see both sides of the argument. These semi-automatic weapons are exceptional because they are affordable and easy to customize. Anyone owning this firearm can change everything from the trigger’s scope or switch to a Ballistic Advantage barrel.
It also helps that similar styles are a weapon of choice for many military and law enforcement agencies nationwide. Considering all the facts, it’s clear that this firearm is a valid representation of patriotism for many.
That’s one side of the argument.
On the other, you’ll find gun control supporters urging lawmakers to ban this weapon entirely. This is understandable, considering about a quarter of mass shootings since 1999 involved AR15-like rifles.
To determine which side has the final say is difficult when you consider the history of an AR15. It’s one filled with patriotic moments and heart-wrenching uses to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Call Me by My Name: ArmaLite Rifle
If you ask 1,000 people what AR15 stands for, you’ll likely hear many responses saying it means assault rifles. Although incorrect, that answer is understandable, considering how it was initially presented in WWII propaganda.
AR15 stands for ArmaLite Rifle Model 15. Those serving or who have served in the military may recognize it by its military version—the M16.
The talented Eugene Stoner designed this iconic weapon in the mid-1950s, but it’s essential to understand how previous designs led to this final creation.
It’s Only Business
It took five years for the ArmaLite Company to catch a break with its AR15 design. One of the first weapons they created was a bolt-action .22 rifle for the Air Force in 1954.
It was a lightweight, compact rifle that was easy to store and ideal for potential water landings. By all means, it was what the Air Force was looking for at that time.
The AR5 was eventually adopted in 1956 by the US Air Force and renamed the MA1. This initial rifle design gave ArmaLite the credibility they needed to stay in the game.
The second innovation from this company was their AR10 design. This design was born from the US Military looking to replace their heavy but sturdy M1 Garand.
ArmaLite approached the plate and presented the AR10 prototype, which resonated positively with many testers.
However, this was one of their first unfortunate failures. The AR10 was excellent in almost every way, except it would burst under constant pressure.
The company lost the military contract to Springfield Armory and their M14 rifle in 1957. However, they ran into a stroke of good luck in the same year when they sold the rights to produce the AR10 to Artillerie Inrichtingen.
Unfortunately for the Dutch company, the production line found continuous defects and ongoing weapons problems. This led to it having minimal international distribution.
Sell the Designs but Keep the Name
Although the ArmaLite Company started with a bang, the problems with the AR10 reduced the amount of credibility they had as gun makers and resulted in dire financial situations.
Fortunately, in 1959, the company was able to come to a deal and sell the AR10 and AR15 designs to Colt. As new owners of the AR15 design, the company went into full production mode.
In the early 1960s, this gun made its way into military hands, finding its place within the US Air Force and Special Forces.
However, the US involvement with Vietnam propelled the AR15 into the military. At this time, Springfield Armory couldn’t maintain quality M14 rifle production. It was expensive to produce and required extensive amounts of resources.
That led to the military looking for cheaper but equally effective options. This meant the lighter, less expensive, and easier-to-control AR15, or the military version, the M16, was a much better option.
Battle Testing Battle Weapons
While the military adoption of the M16, a semi and fully-automatic rifle, was excellent news for Colt, it wasn’t ideal for the troops to suddenly issue new combat weapons.
From the vastly different design from the standard M1 Garand to the new jungle environment, the M16 ran into numerous issues. Although it was a quality firearm, it’s understandable why many looked down upon the weapon.
Because the weapon was already mass-produced and issued, several decisions were made to ensure it was used correctly. Training programs were created out of necessity that taught soldiers how to feed and care for their newly issued weapons and take down and build them back up, to name a few.
Through these training programs, the M16 quickly became a source of reliability on the battlefield in real time. The lighter weight and easier control meant many soldiers would have fewer malfunctions.
Marking Its Place in History
Regardless of its known jamming issues, the consistent slight changes made to the weapon over time helped ensure its place as an official service rifle after the war.
It helps that the cost to produce the M16 or AR15 is much cheaper than its competitors and comes with a high magazine capacity. You can explore the different types of magazines by searching online for ‘AR-15 magazines near me‘. There are several different types available depending on your budget and desired use.
After the war and officially becoming the new military service rifle, Colt turned production towards the civilian market.
Unlike modern times, the civilian AR15 wasn’t as welcome and had deficient demand levels. Over the next 40 years, the few AR15s produced were essentially collecting dust.
Everyone Wants What They Can’t Have
It wasn’t until 1994 that AR15s became a sudden area of interest for many Americans. That was the year when President Clinton signed the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, also known as the Federal Assault Weapons Ban.
The ban came with a ten-year sunset clause to save lives by reducing or eliminating gun violence. Its purpose was to restrict firearm accessories and firearms. Although the AR15 was still legal, it had to be modified and follow specific restrictions to comply with the ban.
Data over this decade has shown that the ban did little to accomplish its goals. It had minimal effect on reducing gun violence and gun crimes.
If anything, the ban highlighted the AR15 and led to many Americans purchasing the weapon after it ended in 2004. It could be said that gun sales increased out of fear of similar restrictions in the future.
During this time, the nation went through several mass shootings and rhetoric from gun control lawmakers, making this fear much more plausible.
Peak Popularity
As briefly mentioned, the AR15 is one of the most popular firearms because of its customizability.
The AR15 is only as customizable as it is today because gun makers saw the heightened interest in the weapon, and almost every major manufacturer started producing their own versions.
This meant that civilians had the pick of the bunch and could create a weapon that fit their style and needs. Today, an owner must switch out the upper receiver to create a new caliber weapon.
You can find AR15-style rifles chambered in everything from a 22LR, 9MM, and 45 ACP, to name a few. Fortunately for many gun owners, its wide availability means that the cost of owning an AR15 continues to drop.
However, as stated earlier, while many love the rifle, some mass shooters use it as their weapon of choice. Because of this, many media outlets continue to portray the AR15 and AR15-like firearms as the “poster child” to push for gun control. Although rifles are commonly associated with these violent crimes, it can be said that more crimes are committed with handguns.
The Future of AR15s
Although the military version of an AR15, the M16, was phased out by the US military, it is still utilized by many NATO countries. It’s also a firearm that’s commonly found in American households.
Whether people view it as a patriotic symbol or a tool for evil-doers, it’s become American culture and history books worldwide.
How Many Rounds Can an AR-15 Hold?
The AR-15 is not fully automatic like the M16. Instead, you have to pull the trigger for each shot. Typically, AR-15-type rifles come with a 30-round magazine. However, you can buy after-market magazines with up to 100 rounds.
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