[TimH]

What is the difference?

[Onslaught]

The manufacturer...

AR-15 is a nearly generic term used to define a specific rifle type, class, design, whatever you wanna call it, much the same way as "1911" describes the single stack, single action grip safetied pistol.

The M15 is an Armalite "AR15".
The XM15E2S is the Bushmaster "AR15".
The PCR-15 is the Oly Arms "AR15".

You get the picture...

[DonP]

Lately the difference is about $7,000 plus or minus.

AR-15, about $750 and up

M-16, Last time I looked about $8,000 for a Registered Receiver, not counting the $200 transfer fee.

On a whole other level ...

The AR-15 is the semi automatic civilian version of the select fire military M-16.

They share common external components with each other; barrel, butstock, upper receiver etc. but very different lower receiver, fire control systems and a different bolt carrier.

There are so many convoluted laws covering these (thank you Sara freakin Brady and Bill Clinton) that even having one or two or the M-16 fire control components in an AR-15 can get you time in the slammer and/or a heck of a fine that would ruin your whole day.

Oh, yeah the M-16 also comes with a free trip to club Fed for up to 10 years and a whopping fine if you aren't living in the right state, don't have the right license, or transfer it properly with the fine folks at the BATF.

Check with the folks over at AR15.com for all the lurid details. You can probably find most of the answers with illustrations in their archives. (Here's a hint though, don't go to the Full Auto board there and ask about converting one to the other. They all burst into flames when people do that, no kidding!)

Hope this helps, good luck.

Don P.

[telewinz]

There is an "M15" if you really mean that. If so its the M14 rifle with a heavy barrel, bipod AND selective fire. It was clip fed like the M14.

[blackrazor]

... but do you mean clip fed like the Garand, or mag fed like the M14... this is one of those rare times it actually matters whether the word "clip" is used or "magazine." ;)