The AR-15 is a well made firearm that was on the cutting edge of technology when it was first designed. In fact it was designed so well that it has not really changed since then. Invented by Eugene Stoner in 1957, the many superior components of the weapon were game changing. He designed a prototype for the gas impingement system in 1953 and in 1955 he created the AR-10 which became the AR-15 after a few changes, most notably changing the caliber to a smaller round.
The M16 is the longest serving, standard service rifle that the US military has ever had. It is the military version of the AR-15, but the AR-15 came first. When this rifle was introduced it had incorporated many new innovations. It took full advantage of modern composite materials, many of which were being utilized in the aircraft industry. Proving to be a pioneer by using aluminum instead of steel, composites instead of wood. The gas impingement system was also lighter than the previously used operating rod and piston. Though most of us these days, including the modern military, praise the lightness of the weapon, at the time the light weight reduced confidence in the gun. The military at the time wanted a gun that could be used as a club. However as Eugene Stoner noted, you shouldn’t need to use your service rifle as a club, if it was effective enough as a gun. The ammo itself was lighter as well.
One of the main points of the M16/AR-15 was to take advantage of a smaller caliber and was one of the first service rifles to do so. The previous service rifle used a mid size caliber, which was good for long ranges. For the average US serviceman though, experience showed that most engagements occurred at short to mid range. This is the range where small caliber rounds excel. Research showed that a smaller caliber round could cause more damage with less recoil and the lighter weight of the ammunition allowed soldiers to carry more. A new, high velocity, small round was born: the .223 Rem or .556 NATO, now the most popular round for AR-15’s.
The reason there have been few changes to this rifle over the last 50 plus years is due to the excellent initial design. The military tested this design only to find it outperformed all previous rifles in most areas. It did well on the sand test, which had been a problem for many others. Due in part to the dust cover, it did very well in muddy conditions. It did well in hot temperatures as well as sub zero temperatures and removal of the trigger guard made it easy to shoot with gloves on. It stayed cleaner and fired longer without lubrication than any other rifle. It also needs cleaning and lubricating less frequently than other rifles. The process of cleaning it is quick and simple and requires no special tools. The parts on it are interchangeable and training someone to use and clean this rifle is relatively easy.
The recoil of this firearm is greatly reduced by both the buffer system as well as muzzle devices. This is directly related to the accuracy of a marksman rifle with the power of an assault rifle. With less movement it makes it possible to line up follow up shots more quickly and easily. This gun had larger and lighter magazines than any previous. Balanced with ease of firing control, this firearm is very enjoyable to use. That this rifle not only had all of these advantages, but was also faster, easier, and cheaper to produce, it’s no wonder it became one of the best rifles one could find.
We love this rifle because it is one of the best ever created. The free market tends to cause superior products to rise to the top and become the best selling and most sought after. That is why the AR-15 is so popular, it is because dollar for dollar, it is the best firearm you can buy. Advantages of the AR-10/AR-15 over previous rifles include:
Reduced recoil
Easy to clean
Large, light and convenient magazines
Far exceeds requirements
Fired longer without lubrication or cleaner than any previous
Needs cleaning and oiling less frequently
With the dust cover outperformed all previous in the mud test
Quick and simple tooless cleaning
Could switch between grenade and regular rounds without any modifications
Belt fed, sniper, grenade, basic infantry rifle, machine gun
Combines the accuracy of a sniping rifle with the firepower of a machine gun partly because of how it handles the recoil
Ability to open the trigger guard if wearing gloves
Faster, easier and cheaper to produce
Easier to train someone how to use it
Balanced with ease of firing control