AR-15 Rifles

AR stands for the original manufacturer's name, ArmaLite. Most people have the wrong idea that AR means "Assault Rifle".

At the back of the floor plate, there's a section which curves upwards. You get a small slotted screwdriver (or similar device) between that and the magazine body, and - using the magazine body as a fulcrum - simply pull the floor plate towards the rear of the magazine. This is for the GI and GI style magazines, mind you, and won't work on H&K mags, Magpul P-Mags, etc.

Pull back on the charging handle. With the charging handle (and bolt) pulled back to the rear, engage the bolt catch to lock the bolt to the rear. Return the charging handle back to the forward position. Insert a magazine into the magazine well, ensuring it's seated and secure. Press the bolt release to send the bolt forward. Tap the forward assist a couple times to ensure the bolt is fully forward.

When Armalite first developed the rifle, they gave it the nomenclature of AR-15. When they sold the rights to Colt, Colt continued using the AR-15 name, and applied it to all variants of the rifle (usually accompanied by a model number). M16 is a military nomenclature - the rifles are still AR-15 rifles, but built to certain specifications, as required by military and law enforcement customers.

222, 223 and 9mm

AR-15 = Semi-Auto civilian rifle

M4 = Select Fire Military rifle

50- 1500 USD depending on specifics.

I believe, for the most part, cal 223 or 5.56

100-1500 USD or so

You'd have to specify where the mounting point is. Typically, it's an endplate with the single point attachment on it, but there are a few different types out there. Feel free to email me with more information if you haven't already figured out how to do this at burningsaviour@wikianswers.com

Made 1964 to present

$1000

That depends on what its chambered for....

Most AR-15's are chambered for the standard 5.56x45mm military round, although some will only have a .223 Remington chamber, and it not advisable to fire 5.56 rounds through these. There is also the .223 Wylde, which can handle all loadings of 5.56 and .223.

Most commercial AR15 rifles will come with a 1:9 barrel twist rate, which can accommodate both the lightweight 45 and 55 grain commercial .223 and M193 cartridges, as well as the heavier 62 grain NATO cartridges. However, when you get into loads such as the 77 grain rounds, the 1:9 barrels won't stabilise them very well. 1:8 barrel twist is the most dynamic, and can handle anything from 55 grain .223 and M193 up to the 80 grain .223 Wylde, and everything in between. 1:7 twist is a bit too fast a rifling twist for the lightweight 45/55 grain .223 rounds and the 55 grain M193 rounds, and really is a bit excessive a twist rate for the 62 grain M855/SS109 (NATO standard) cartridges. But it's great for 75, 77, 80 grain projectiles.

100-500 USD or so

Armalite Rifle model #15

The extension tube of the commercial buttstock is actually thicker than the milspec extension tube, and they tend to be slightly angled at the end.

The AR15 is a 5.56x45 rifle. Incidentally, it is also capable of chambering and firing the .223 Remington, which is similar in dimension, but the two are not identical. That's the norm. AR15 rifles can be had in a number of calibres nowadays, to include 6.8x43 Remington SPC, 6.5 Grendel, .458 SOCOM, .50 Beowulf, 5.45x39, 7.62x39, .204 Ruger, 9x19 Parabellum, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 6x45, .450 Bushmaster, and others.

The original Armalite Model 15 rifle had an overall length of 986mm- just short of 39 inches. However, variants have different barrel lengths, different flash suppressors, and different stocks- giving MULTIPLE overall lengths.

400-3000 or so depending on specifics

The AR-15 has a longer barrel, and is semi-automatic. The M4 is a carbine (short barrel) and is capable of fully automatic (burst) firing. The M4 cannot be owned by a private citizen in the US- they were made after the May 1986 cut off date to register full auto firearms.

1977.

Yes. All those parts are machined to the same dimensional specifications, and are interchangeable between brands and makes. Likewise, both mil spec and commercial spec tubes are threaded the same to be screwed into the back of the lower receiver.

The only instances of a receiver not accepting extension tubes which I'm aware of was the first run of receivers from Roggio Arsenal, out of Fayetteville, NC. They had to recall their entire first production run because they had the threads for the extension tube coupling threaded incorrectly.

This question depends on the bullet, trajectory, and placement. Personally, I would never take a .223 caliber rifle against a deer. It does not have the penetration or mass of the bullet to make a good shot. Now back to the question, yes it could but it is highly unrecommended. Technically, a 22lr could kill a deer, but that is a less that 0.05% chance! Use a .308 or 30-06 caliber rifle!