Impossible to answer, as there are multiple makers in multiple nations, and no one master list. Some form of the AR has been produced for nearly 70 years, and total production numbers are in the millions- although no one can tell you exactly how many millions.
Similar. They are both "AR style" rifles. AR-15 is a copyrighted brand name- other companies can make rifles in that style, but cannot legally call them AR-15s. The R-15 is the Remington version. The AR-15 was developed by the ArmaLite Company- and AR actually stands for "ArmaLite Rifle".
No one answer- depends on your wallet, your tastes, your uses. There are dozens of makers of good quality AR style rifles.
Over 10 million
Yes. There may be limits on the CALIBER, and PA does not permit semi-auto rifles for deer hunting, but other than that, the AR style rifle is nothing but a semiauto rifle.
Yes- both the semi-automatic rifles of the AR style that are CALLED Assualt Weapons, and the full auto rifles such as the M16. The second type requires licensing by both the Federal and State governments.
325 people killed by rifles in 2012
There are several rifles and carbines that are chambered for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. Among others, the AR-15 style rifles have been made in that caliber, as well as the Marlin Camp 9 carbine, and High Point carbine.
Yes, at least the rifles would be. It's simply a different material used for the receivers, but they're milled to the same measurements.
Colt, Bushmaster, LMT, Stag
The M16 rilfe used by the US military is caliber 5.56mm x 45mm. This is SIMILAR to, but not exactly the same as the .223 cartridge. The civilian variations of the AR-15 style rifles are in several calibers including 7.62 NATO and 7.62 Soviet
Yes, The LAPD carries AR 15 (or occasionally M16) 7.62mm assault rifles
The 5.56/.223 Remington rifles can be. Other calibres cannot be, unless the upper is replaced.