Specifications
Weapon type:
Assault rifle
Weight:
2.97 kg (6.55 lb)
Calibre & Catrige:
.223 Remington (5.56x45mm NATO)
Effective range:
457 m (500 yd)
Rate of fire:
750 rounds/min
Designed:
1956
Designer:
Eugene Stoner, Jim Sullivan and Bob Fremont
Manufacturer:
ArmaLite
Action:
Gas-operated, rotating bolt
In service:
1959-1990s
Muzzle velocity:
1,006 m/s (3,300 ft/s)
Capacity:
25 rounds
The ArmaLite AR-15 is a selective-fire, 5.56—45mm, air-cooled, direct impingement gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle, with a rotating bolt and straight-line recoil design. It was designed above all else to be a lightweight assault rifle, and to fire a new lightweight, high velocity small caliber cartridge to allow the soldier to carry more ammunition.