In October 1954, the Fairchild Engine and Aircraft Company’s ArmaLite Division was established under the tutelage of George Sullivan and it began working on the development of the lightweight paratrooper’s rifle—the AR-1 “Parasniper” rifle.
The AR-5 survival rifle for downed aircrew and pilots of the U. S. Air Force immediately followed the development of AR-1. While testing the AR-5 on a shooting range, Sullivan met the talented Eugene Stoner, whom Sullivan hired immediately as his chief design engineer. By 1955, the first prototype of the novel AR-10 had been completed.
Due to the AR-10’s failure to gain significant market, the ArmaLite design team created the AR-15, a scaled-down version of the AR10.
The AR15 became the basis for the famous M16 “Armalite” assault rifle. All ArmaLite guns and rifles bear the prefix AR to indicate that they are part of the evolution of the original AR-1. In 1959, ArmaLite sold its rights on the AR-10 and AR15 designs to Colt Manufacturing Company.
What is the AR-10 vs AR-15?
The AR-10
What is ar10. Source: rainierarms.com
The AR-10 is a lightweight, air-cooled, gas operated 7.62mm (.308 in) assault rifle that fires the NATO standardized 7.62x51mm cartridge in 20-round detachable box magazine.
True to its name, the Armalite AR-10 weighs between 3.29 to 4.05 kilograms (7.25 to 8.9 lbs) without ammunitions and magazine. Its lightness was due to the extensive use of aluminum alloy for its metal parts except for the steel barrel, bolt and bolt carrier, and glass reinforced plastic on the buttstock, handguard, and pistol grip.
Most gas-operated rifles bleeds the propellant gas to a port in the gun barrel to the piston in a cylinder running parallel to the gun barrel.
The gas then pushes the piston to enable the bolt to re-cock, release the spent cartridge, and load a fresh round to the chamber to make the gun ready for firing. The difference, however, of Stoner’s AR-10 design lies in the fact that the propellant gas bleeds through a cylinder running in parallel with the gun barrel to impinge the bolt carrier mechanism.
This “direct gas impingement” gives the best AR-10 a high cyclic rate of fire of 700 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 845 meters per second or 2,772 feet per second.
Externally, the AR-10’s looks has become iconic due to its predecessor, the AR-15 or specifically the M16. The AR-15 incorporates an elevated front sight and a carrying handle that houses the rear sights and acts a protection to the cocking/charging lever. Likewise, the AR-10 measures 1.029 meters (40 ½ inches) in overall length with a barrel length of 0.508 meters or 20 inches.
The AR-15
What is ar15? Source: rainierarms.com
Derived from the AR-10, the AR-15 uses the same “direct gas impingement” operation introduced in the AR-10 and carries most developments as compared to its predecessor.
However, while the AR-10 is a “full-caliber” rifle, the AR-15 is a lighter version of 5.56mm (0.223 in) caliber. The AR15/M16 uses the 5.56x45mm M193 cartridge in 20- or 30-round magazines. The AR-15/M16 extensively use the lightweight “nylonite” for its furniture, and can weigh from 2.2 to 3.9 kilograms or 5.5 to 8.5 lbs.
The “direct gas impingement” via rotating bolt operation gives the AR-15 a cyclic rate of fire of 800 rounds a minute with a muzzle velocity of 975 meters per second or 3,200 feet per second to a maximum effective range of 550 meters or 600 yards. The AR-15/M16 has an overall length of 1.006 meters or 39.63 inches with a barrel length of 0.508 meters or 20 inches.
Pros and Cons of AR-10 vs AR-15
The AR-10 vs AR-15 has its own share of good and bad points.
One of the good points that both rifles share when compared with other contemporary designs of its time is lightness.
Due to this inherent lightness, it is possible to carry more ammunition with these two types of rifles. However, with the 7.62mm AR-10 and 5.56mm AR-15 cartridges, you can carry a lot more of the lighter rounds at any given weight.
While the 7.62mm round can outrange the 5.56mm round, the smaller projectile travels at much higher speeds than the bigger projectile.
Due to the higher mass of the AR-10’s larger bullet, the projectile can store greater kinetic energy that can translate into stopping or knocking power.
On the other hand, the higher rate of fire that the AR-15 imparts can translate into multiple hits. However, the term AR-10 and AR-15 applies only to single-shot and semi-automatic versions for civilian use.
Which Rifle is Better & Who Will Use It?
Which is better between ar10 vs ar15. Source: gundigest.com
Both AR-10 vs AR-15 rifles attract the attention of many gun collectors, hunters, sport shooters, and even law enforcers.
Both rifles are light enough to carry around even by women of small stature.
It is, however, the number of rounds needed to do a job that really matters.
For big game hunters, of course it is better to have a large caliber like 7.62mm rifle. It will be easier to use and necessitates less bullet to bring down a large game.
Law enforcers, especially snipers, need a 7.62mm AR-10 with a best scope for an AR-10 to have a good standoff range in order to cover a wider search area. The AR-10 has greater range than most 22 rifles.
The AR-15 is well suited for home protection, varmint and other small game hunting, and even security and public protection duties. A single-shot from a small caliber rifle is nothing new in enforcing security and public protection.
The Royal Ulster Police constables use the 5.56mm Ruger semi-automatic rifles during the IRA heydays in Northern Irish cities along with British infantry units armed with 7.62mm L1A1 semi-automatic rifles. The useful tips to hold the target is using a best shooting sticks.
What Does AR Stand For?
There’s a lot of confusion surround this question. As violent incidents involving guns happen around the country, the mainstream media is very commonly throwing out that AR stands for “Assault Rifle.” You hear this quite a bit on the news; news anchors are always talking about the availability of “assault rifles.”
But, is that what AR actually stands for?
Let’s take a look.
The Basics
Before we talk about what the AR in AR-15 actually stands for, its important to understand where the AR-15 came from.
What most people think of when they think AR is definitely the extremely common AR-15, which is nearly identical to the military’s M4 Carbine. However, what most people don’t know is that the AR-15 was a civilian rifle before it was a military weapon.
The original AR-15 was designed by a company called ArmaLite. Prior to producing the AR-15, ArmaLite had already produced the AR-5 and the AR-10. The AR-15 was based closely on the AR-10, but was made to be smaller and more lightweight. It also shot a smaller caliber bullet than the AR-10.
The original AR-10 was actually turned down by the military, as one of the ones that they tested was faulty. The M14 was originally chosen over the AR-10, but as history shows, this rifle was not that effective and did not last that long.
The M14 was replaced by the Colt AR-15 not too long after it was chosen of ArmaLite’s AR-10.
Wait a minute, COLT AR-15? What happened?
Now, the main reason that you probably haven’t heard of ArmaLite is the fact that they had to fold and they sold their rights for the AR-15 to Colt. ArmaLite started as an extremely small machining company, and never really intended to be firearms manufacturers.
After getting turned down by the military multiple times for their firearms models, they were experiencing financial difficulty, and they eventually sold their patents and rights to the weapon to Colt. Colt renamed the weapon the Colt ArmaLite AR-15.
After some very minor changes, Colt would eventually convince the military to use their AR-15, and the ArmaLite name would eventually be dropped off.
So, What Does AR Stand For?!
Assault rifle gun for the American military is placed beside the old wall.
As we mentioned, ArmaLite never meant to be firearms manufacturers. They kept it pretty simple, and named their weapons ArmaLite Rifles. As they created new designs, they continued to call them ArmaLite Rifles, or AR for short.
Unfortunately, this has gotten twisted, and people now refer to this awesome weapon frame as automatic rifles or assault rifles commonly, but as you’ve now learned, this is inaccurate!
What is Pre-ban AR-15
A pre-ban AR-15 is one that was produced before September 13th, 1994. The reason that date is important is that is when the United States passed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which is better known as the 1994 Crime Bill. This made owning semiautomatic rifles illegal unless you already owned them. It also made changes in the manufacturing of the lower recover, so the gun could not be automatic. The law has since expired, but some states still enforce it. That is why pre-ban guns are still desirable. Also, pre-ban guns are easier to convert to automatic for people that want to do that because the receiver doesn’t have a high shelf that can block attachments. This is the simple explanation of what a pre-ban AR-15 is.
What Parts Are Interchangeable Between AR-15 and AR-10
What Parts Are Interchangeable Between Ar15 and Ar10
One common question with today’s tactical rifles is which parts are interchangeable between an AR-15 and an AR-10.
For starters, AR-15s and AR-10s are extremely similar weapons. They function in very similar ways, are built on similar frames and have some similar parts.
The primary difference between the two is that an AR-15 is bored in 5.56/.223 and an AR-10 is bored in 7.62/.308.
Are you looking to build a new AR frame weapon or looking to expand your arsenal and wondering which parts are the same?
We will take a look at some of the parts that are commonly interchangeable between AR-15s and AR-10s.
Keep in mind that this is a general list, and different firearms manufacturers may use slightly different parts, so there is no guarantee that every single part we list will be interchangeable between every single AR-15 and AR-10.
Here is the list of commonly interchangeable parts between the two.
1. Buttstock Assembly
The buffer tubes of AR-15s and AR-10s are commonly the same diameter, so the same buttstock assemblies can be used for both.
While this is a simple part, a quality buttstock assembly can improve your shooting and allow for more comfort.
2. Trigger Group
Despite the fact that the lowers of AR-15s and AR-10s are generally different sizes, because they are based on a very similar frame, trigger groups are generally interchangeable between the two.
The trigger group consists of the trigger, trigger spring, hammer, hammer spring, disconnector, and disconnector spring.
Mechanicaly, it is a simple mechanism, and can be used on both an AR-15 and an AR-10.
3, Buffer Detent and Spring
While it is a very small, seemingly insignificant part, the buffer detent and spring is interchangeable between AR-15s and AR-10s.
This small part holds the buffer of the weapon in place.
However, due to the differences in recoil, the buffer itself is not interchangeable.
4. Safety Selector
Yet another very small part, however, the importance of this part is unquestioned. The safety selector switch is generally the same in AR-15s and AR-10s, so this part is interchangeable.
5. Magazine Release Button and Spring
The magazine release button and spring is an interchangeable part, despite the fact that the magazine catch is different in an AR-15 and an AR-10.
6. Pistol Grip
As they are based on the same frame, AR-15s and AR-10s commonly have the same size pistol grip. An improved pistol grip will help some people shoot more accurately, and will generally be more comfortable.
Despite the fact that the AR-15 and AR-10 are extremely similar weapons, there are enough differences to prevent most parts from being interchangeable. These differences are generally a result of the different calibers, which require different size parts. Even though the weapons are so cosmetically similar, and function in the same way, the difference in size results in all around different parts.
This list gives you an idea of some of the parts that are interchangeable between AR-10 vs AR-15.
While most of these parts may seem insignificant, the trigger group specifically will make the most difference. An improved trigger group will help the average shooter, and is definitely worth upgrading.
Conclusions
At present, there is a significant growth in sales and market for commercial rifles and its accessories.
Due to the vast media coverage that the military enjoyed in the recent years, there has been a public clamor, not just for the rifle itself, but for tactical gadgets such as the red dot and reflex sights, scopes, laser spot, AN/PEQ tactical lights, combat grips, picatinny or tactical rails, bipods, and folding stocks.
The market is overflowing with such items as upgrades to existing rifle. You can readily convert the looks of your old AR-10 or AR-15 into their military versions by simply replacing the old hand guard with picatinny rail and by adding the accessories you want.
Most gun owners want to “militarize” their guns, not because they love the military, but for the sake of dressing the gun up.
For the ordinary people without any knowledge about guns and rifles, it is difficult to tell if the rifle is a military or a civilian version.
Is that an M16 or an AR-15? Lastly, there are no regulations on “militarizing” the rifle’s appearance or looks.
The article didn’t say the AR-15 was an assault rifle. It said the AR-10 was an assault rifle. Is it still wrong?
Thanks for your comment. We say Ar stand for ArmaLite Rifles
Then why, in shooting courses, does someone with an AUG, Tavor, SCAR, etc. have their gun also referred to as an AR?
Because, over time, a term is often applied wrong and becomes an established error. Also, a term used by one company may have a completely different meaning for a different company. This too applies to groups including those who teach others, local and regional enthusiast groups, etc.
In the industry I’m in, a common term/definition we used industry wide between 1950~1990 has now gone through 3 (or more) changes to its initial meaning.
Yes. That is still wrong. An “assault rifle” is a medium caliber firearm that is selective-fire. That is, a firearm that can be set to fire more than one round with the pull of the trigger. No semi-automatic firearm is an “assault rifle”.
There is a lot of confusion over this because anti-gun activists coined the term “assault weapon” (which has no specific meaning, but might as well be called, “scary black guns”). Many semi-automatic firearms are regarded as “assault weapons” based on purely cosmetic features. That is, two firearms may be functionally identical, but due to cosmetic differences (collapsible stock, pistol grip, bayonet lug, compensator) one may be an “assault weapon” while the other is not.
As an example of the deception/confusion, the Federal Assault Weapon Ban, banned the manufacture of AR-15s as “assault weapons”, but the functionally equivalent (same magazine capacity, same caliber ammunition, same rate-of-fire) Ruger Mini-14 was specifically exempted! In response, gun manufacturers made cosmetic changes to the AR-15 to comply with the law. One example was the Olympic Arms PCR-15 (Politically-Correct Rifle) which removed the bayonet lug and the threading for the compensator/flash suppressor. This had absolutely no effect on the operation of the firearm beyond preventing the use of a bayonet!
People knowledgeable about firearms generally avoid the use of the term “assault weapon” because it is so imprecise. Under some state laws, even BB guns are considered “assault weapons”. Those who know what they’re talking about use the term “assault rifle” to refer to selective-fire, medium caliber weapons (like the M-16), and the term “semi-automatic rifle” to refer to firearms like the AR-15 (which is visually identical, but functionally different) and the Ruger Mini-14 (which is visually different, but functionally equivalent to the AR-15).
Yes Bobby, the AR-10 is also not an assault rifle as it does not have the capacity to switch to automatic or burst fire.
“a rifle chambered in an intermediate cartridge with a detachable magazine and select fire capability.”
Well .223\5.56 is an intermediate round although on the low side, does have a detachable magazine, and if you can select single or semi-auto then that would be a select fire. So your agreement is weak sir. However a true assault rifle has a select for full auto aks a machine gun. But you’re prob the type of person that complains a magazine is not a clip.
When the only difference is you have to keep pulling a trigger and not just hold it down then po ta toes, po tah toes to the name.
I’m a gun owner and I’ll call it an assualt rifle hell all they have to do is change the definition and it will be one anyways. If your going to argue something argue over something than a name. Like when the ban alcohol to stop drunk driving or limit the consummation to personal residence to lower the amount then they can try to do the same with firearms.
Isn’t single fire and semi auto fire the same thing, when talking about AR’s?
If you select single fire, that is semi auto?
no a single shot is just that a single shot either requiring a cartridge ejection by a bolt action single shot action, or gun break i.e.; meaning gun opens by breaking in half to eject the cartridge.
a semi auto fire 1 round per trigger pull ejecting and reloading the cartridge by the action of gas moving the bolt thru its cycle phase 1 round fired per trigger pull .Semi Auto vs single shot,
i hate it when people call a magazine a clip. guess they have never owned an m1 garand or a sks
I. Call it clip sometimes to save syllables
select fire means the ability to switch from semi auto to full auto, the AR-15 is not capable of this. it is semi only. the AR-15 is not the same thing as an M16. M16 is an assault rifle, ar-15 is not.
“Assault rifle” is a totally made-up term. Lets not use it…its for those on the left who know little about gun and such scary things.
Blah blah , call it what you will assault rifle , sporting rifle , hunting rifle , what ever it all comes down to one thing it’s a versitile easy to operate relatively inexpensive to own and fun platform to enjoy , people are afraid to call it certain names because of the negative bs coming out of Washington and by unknowing people’s , the 2 nd amendment give us law abiding citizens the right to own and enjoy these fine firearms and I intend to to the fullest gods speed .
Just to clarify- the 2nd amendment (and all others) dont GIVE us rights, they list right we are born with and that will be protected.
If something is given it is a privilege that can be taken away
Thnx for the clarification .100% acurate.
One- you’re speaking in circular references. Just to clarify to your clarification, we are born with the right to bear arms according to the Second Amendment and it is not a privilege that can be taking away without due cause ,jurist prudence and proof Beyond a reasonable doubt. So it cannot just be randomly taken away like your parents not letting you borrow the car this weekend.
Well said, god given rights……
i guess while im waiting for moderation to approve of my comment. i will say a clip fits into a magazine. a magazine dont fit into a clip. moderate that
Check “Wikipedia” for what a “clip” is in reference to weapons.
It’s a short hand term used for “ammo magazines”.
Bullets, rounds, or cartridges (all terms for the same thing) fit into a “clip” or “ammo magazine”.
In the Marines you have clips containing your rounds of ammo. The ammo is taken off the clip and loaded into a magazine which is then inserted into the weapon. I hope this clarifies the difference between a clip and a magazine.
ok im a hard working guy that has to be at work early. this crap that my comment is awaiting moderation. this stinks of my comments being suppressed if you dont like them. and none of my comments may not being even shown. but i fight for all my rights! number one is freedom of speech. number 2 im sure we all agree upon. we fight for them both and for all of them. i havent said one bit of profanity but im about to. its bull shit that you cant put up a persons comment when they type it. it has to be moderated. stinks of being a communist site to me
Patience is a virtue.
the next sight i participate in will be one that treats all of our rights the same. that being sacred solem and unwavering. moderate my middle finger moderaters. by the way theres still nothing that beats the AK – 47 in punch . whats AK stand for? automatica kalashnikov. but people want to call the AR what it isnt. keep moderating wont be back to see if you moderated and and did or didnt allow my comments commies
Welcome, i approved it 🙂
The .308 does….. Look at penetration tests of the Ak, 308, 5.56 and you’ll see that the .308 out penetrates the AK-47…
And I thought the argument between Fender and Gibson was rough… Gibson is the best obviously…
It seems to me the industry capitalized on the term assault rifle until liberals starting picking on ar-15s now gun owners want to engage in semantics over what it’s called.
If the only difference between assault rifle and civilian rifle is selective fire, I’d have to say That’s pretty dumb to argue over.
Who gives a damn what liberals say. Everyone knows you bought it because it’s cool and resembles weapons used by the military. Arguing with liberals is not only retarded but it’s pointless because you’ll not win, ever.
I’d call it my assault rifle just to irritate them some more. The only thing you prove by arguing with them is you’re afraid. They don’t like it encourage them to come try to confiscate them all.
I’m hoping they win the White House after Trump and finally try to make a hard move to confiscate weapons. They’re taking way to long and I’d rather get it over with sooner than later.
We need to stop calling these assault rifles! We do not intend to assault but defend, so we must start calling these DEFENSE RIFLES!
I hate liberals. Think I’ll buy ’em all….
Personally i dont care what they call the rifles. I believe as a man i take my rights as necessary not given by man or country, or by God. But by earning them by standing for them. If you want my guns, come and take them. dont tell me you are going to do anything. Do it!
I don’t mean to heat up debate here ,But the letter designation (AR ) on these rifles stands for “American Rifle”
this rifle was created in direct opposition of the’ AK-47″ Russian military rifle.
Glad I live in Texas!
So does my M1 Garade qualify as a assault rifle?
No, cause it’s not black and scary!
If we look at history, one can see that it repeats itself. One can see the divisiveness of our nation; is this what our military and all the fallen fought for?
We saw it happened during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency; a country divided in half over slavery and among other matters. Today, we have a divided nation; the Left and the Right. Only one can be right and willing to fight to preserve the constitution and the original intention and interpretation of the law and order that the forefathers intended. I believe is coming guys; get ready. Someone stated up there: “why dont they come and confiscate our weapons?” if they win, I believe they will, and it will be unconstitutional. That is what they love; to call wrong good and good evil. It is a prophesy; it is the end times.
As Kung Fu martial artist, I prefer not to use what I know. It is better to talk things out and try peacefully, however, there are times when one has to stand up, bring brothers together, and preserve our constitutional rights at whatever cause.
Great article on the Armalite 10 and 15; I did not know all that, thank you!
“ASSAULT RIFLE” has become the “N-WORD” of the American Patriot world…
The LEFT has become the GREAT DOMESTIC THREAT our forefathers warned us of!….
“Externally, the AR10’s looks has become iconic due to its predecessor, the AR15…”
The above sentence appears to contradict the rest of the article, which says that the AR10 is the predecessor of the AR15/M16. Or am I missing something?
Call them constitutional defense rifles.
I find it funny that so many gun owners assume that all “libs” and “Dems” hate guns. Guess what? The Second Amendment is never going away. It’s part of the Bill of Rights, obviously, and nobody will ever show up to take anyone’s guns away. So keep giving your hard earned money to the NRA so they can continue to cause you folks to wet the bed and fear the left. This well armed liberal will keep my hard earned money, and enjoy the best firearms I can afford. And it’s not because I fear some impending social or political shift that will cause me to defend my property from roving lunatics. Or the government. Or from black people. Or immigrants, or terrorists. It’s because I have always enjoyed sport shooting and it’s part of our nations heritage. I don’t buy firearms out of fear, I buy them for enjoyment.
hi
It’s funny how they call it “Assault Rifle” lol… what ignorance