AR question
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0V3RC10CK3D
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A2 upper receivers have a fixated handle on the top that is not removable. A2's also have a solid one piece buttstock
A3's have a flat top upper receiver in which you can mount things like red dot scopes and magnifiers, different rear sights etc. A3's also have a collapsible buttstock.
Parts can be mixed and matched.
A3's have a flat top upper receiver in which you can mount things like red dot scopes and magnifiers, different rear sights etc. A3's also have a collapsible buttstock.
Parts can be mixed and matched.
0V3RC10CK3D
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Omaha-BeenGlockin
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A1's are fixed handle with the old Viet Nam style rear sight.
AX designations for military M16's and M4's actually mean something. In terms of commercial AR-15s, the AX designations are just confusing marketing terms with no industry-wide standard. Look at the specs of the individual rifle, and make sure you are getting what you want.
You can put either flat-top or carry handle uppers on lowers with fixed or collapsible butt stocks. Just make sure you get an appropriate buffer for your gas system.
You can put either flat-top or carry handle uppers on lowers with fixed or collapsible butt stocks. Just make sure you get an appropriate buffer for your gas system.
Float Pilot
Member
The AR-15 /-16 platform was derived from the Eugen Stoner designed AR-10. (1955)
Around 1956 Stoner started working on a smaller reduced caliber platform. The AR-15. (Armalite Rifle) Aramalite was a division of Fairchild Aircraft.
They try 222 Remington and 222 Magnum. Finally settling on a new cartridge which is purpose developed as the 5.56mm x45. aka 223 Remington.
Around 1958 some rifles go of to certain Army and Air Force groups for testing.
Around 1959 Stoner and Armalite licensed the manufacture of the Armalite Rifles to Colt.
The US Air Force started testing the AR-15s around this time period and eventually adopted the AR-15 rifle for the US Air Force around January 1961. The Rifling twist was soon changed to a 1 in 12 twist on the M16 / AR15 from the original 1 in 14 twist rate.
The following year the rifle was re-designated as the M-16. Many early Air Force rifles were marked as Armalite AR-15s. Those rifles were rebuilt various times and during the past 10 years they were upgraded with lowest bidder kits to an A2 configuration.
The original AR15s / M16s
had a 1 in 14 twist, no forward assist and a two aperture rear sight which required a bullet or tool to adjust. The front sight was a round tapered post with 5 adjustment indentations for elevation zeroing. The magazine release was exposed on a flat surface and could easily be bumped. The original flash hider was of an open prong type that tended to grab the branches of small bushes.
Around 1963 the Army said that they wanted to rifle but with a forward assist device to jack the bolt closed. M16s continue in combat use by some units.
1964 US Air Force officially adopts the rifle as the M16. No forward assist.
Early 1967 US Army receives over 800,000 M16A1 rifles with the forward assist and a closed ended flash hider. An area around the magazine release button is raised to prevent accidental magazine release.
1965-67 problems with powder fouling and weapon jamming require a change in ammunition propellant powder. Plus a change to chrome lined barrels.
It is also discovered that the rifles need a cleaning kit recess in the butt stock.
Around 1969 -1970- the 30 round magazines are made as an issue item to eventually replace the 20 round magazines.
NOTE: CAR 10 and CAR-15 carbines were used by certain units and set the stag for the later M4 carbines. The Air Force made carbines from cut down AR15 /M16s and rear to them as GAUs.
1981-1982... The M16A2 is adopted. The rifling twist of the heavy ended barrel in tightened to 1 in 7 for the longer 62 grain projectile.
The rear sight is changed to a more complicated adjustable sight with wheel type windage and elevation adjustments. The front sight was changed to a square post with only 4 zeroing notches. The rear butt stock was longer and had a more grippy type butt plate which incorporated a cleaning kit trap door.
The forward handguards were changed from a triangular type to a thicker round type. And the auto sear arrangement was replaced with a silly 3 shot burst mechanism that required all three shots to be fired for a complete reset.
1983 the Marines adopt the A2 1984 or 85 the Army follows suit, although certain units retain their M16A1s until the mid 1990s.
Mid 1990s, the A3 and A4 variants appear for adoption. The A3 having the return of full auto instead of 3 round burst. Flat top receivers become the norm for the mounting of optical devices and the shorter M4s and M4a1 (Full Auto) start to become standard issue.
Around 1956 Stoner started working on a smaller reduced caliber platform. The AR-15. (Armalite Rifle) Aramalite was a division of Fairchild Aircraft.
They try 222 Remington and 222 Magnum. Finally settling on a new cartridge which is purpose developed as the 5.56mm x45. aka 223 Remington.
Around 1958 some rifles go of to certain Army and Air Force groups for testing.
Around 1959 Stoner and Armalite licensed the manufacture of the Armalite Rifles to Colt.
The US Air Force started testing the AR-15s around this time period and eventually adopted the AR-15 rifle for the US Air Force around January 1961. The Rifling twist was soon changed to a 1 in 12 twist on the M16 / AR15 from the original 1 in 14 twist rate.
The following year the rifle was re-designated as the M-16. Many early Air Force rifles were marked as Armalite AR-15s. Those rifles were rebuilt various times and during the past 10 years they were upgraded with lowest bidder kits to an A2 configuration.
The original AR15s / M16s
had a 1 in 14 twist, no forward assist and a two aperture rear sight which required a bullet or tool to adjust. The front sight was a round tapered post with 5 adjustment indentations for elevation zeroing. The magazine release was exposed on a flat surface and could easily be bumped. The original flash hider was of an open prong type that tended to grab the branches of small bushes.
Around 1963 the Army said that they wanted to rifle but with a forward assist device to jack the bolt closed. M16s continue in combat use by some units.
1964 US Air Force officially adopts the rifle as the M16. No forward assist.
Early 1967 US Army receives over 800,000 M16A1 rifles with the forward assist and a closed ended flash hider. An area around the magazine release button is raised to prevent accidental magazine release.
1965-67 problems with powder fouling and weapon jamming require a change in ammunition propellant powder. Plus a change to chrome lined barrels.
It is also discovered that the rifles need a cleaning kit recess in the butt stock.
Around 1969 -1970- the 30 round magazines are made as an issue item to eventually replace the 20 round magazines.
NOTE: CAR 10 and CAR-15 carbines were used by certain units and set the stag for the later M4 carbines. The Air Force made carbines from cut down AR15 /M16s and rear to them as GAUs.
1981-1982... The M16A2 is adopted. The rifling twist of the heavy ended barrel in tightened to 1 in 7 for the longer 62 grain projectile.
The rear sight is changed to a more complicated adjustable sight with wheel type windage and elevation adjustments. The front sight was changed to a square post with only 4 zeroing notches. The rear butt stock was longer and had a more grippy type butt plate which incorporated a cleaning kit trap door.
The forward handguards were changed from a triangular type to a thicker round type. And the auto sear arrangement was replaced with a silly 3 shot burst mechanism that required all three shots to be fired for a complete reset.
1983 the Marines adopt the A2 1984 or 85 the Army follows suit, although certain units retain their M16A1s until the mid 1990s.
Mid 1990s, the A3 and A4 variants appear for adoption. The A3 having the return of full auto instead of 3 round burst. Flat top receivers become the norm for the mounting of optical devices and the shorter M4s and M4a1 (Full Auto) start to become standard issue.
RockyMtnTactical
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Commercially or militarily?
This is the military explanations. The commercial explanations tend to follow the military, but not always.
http://www.ar15pro.net/2009/12/m16a1.html
http://www.ar15pro.net/2009/12/m16a2.html
http://www.ar15pro.net/2009/12/m16a4.html
This is the military explanations. The commercial explanations tend to follow the military, but not always.
http://www.ar15pro.net/2009/12/m16a1.html
http://www.ar15pro.net/2009/12/m16a2.html
http://www.ar15pro.net/2009/12/m16a4.html
Ok now let me ask this...I have found a Colt I believe that it marked Target Match (something like that)...it does not have a flash hider or muzzle break...the carry handle is fixed and it has a really long fixed stock...the rifle appears to be in great shape...I am guessing from the information that I am getting it was a Clinton era gun...it is priced around 700...the fixed carry handle is not a problem at all for me and I am hoping that I can either change the barrel or thread it for a flash hider...does this sound like a good deal to you tatcical rifle guys
Quentin
Member
Well, we need more information on what it is and when it was made but $700 for a Colt probably is a good deal, especially a target model. But be careful modifying it. First, are you damaging its value; in that case why not get something else already configured the way you want it. And second what are the laws in your state/city re: legal modifications.
RockyMtnTactical
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Just buy it already.
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