Small-calibre high-velocity rifle (AR-15 / M16)
Fusil de calibre reducido y alta velocidad (AR-15 / M16)
- Date
- 1957-1964 · confidence high
- Place
- Los Angeles, California, United States
- Credited to
- Eugene Stoner (ArmaLite) and Colt
- Field
- Conflict
What it is
A light assault rifle of aluminium alloy and polymers, firing the high-velocity, low-recoil .223 (5.56 × 45 mm) cartridge. Adopted by the US in 1964 as the M16, it spread small calibre across almost all NATO armies.
Stoner's design started from the AR-10 (1955); the M16's initial failures in Vietnam (powder changes, no cleaning kits) caused much criticism.
What it led to
- the NATO 5.56 × 45 cartridge
- assault rifles such as the M4, SA80 and FAMAS
- lightweight polymer small arms