The Complete Beginner’s Guide to the AR-15 Rifle
The AR-15 has quickly become one of the most well-known firearms around the world while also gaining immense popularity in recent times. There is, however, a lot of confusion about this gun especially for people who are new to firearms.
The AR15 rifles are the most widely owned firearm in the United States with over 11 million units in circulation. Despite what many may think these weapons are not commonly used during crimes. The maximum velocity for AR15 ammo is three times faster than the speed of sound; however it should be noted that it is used by the deadliest mass shooters as their weapon of choice.
We’ve put together a beginner’s guide that tries to address some AR-15 related common questions so that those who are planning on becoming new owners can make informed decisions based on knowledge rather than speculation.
What is a Semiautomatic Rifle?
Semiautomatic rifles have been a deeply argued subject in the past few years. Their position in the community has come into question after high-profile cases of mass shootings involving these guns. What is a semiautomatic rifle exactly?
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), a semiautomatic rifle is a firearm that is designed to be fired from the shoulder. This means it can only be fired when positioned against one’s shoulder and aimed while standing or kneeling. Unlike handguns which are meant for use with a single hand.
How is it Different from an Assault Rifle?
Not all semi automatic rifles look like assault rifles. That’s accurate. The term “semi automatic” refers to a rifle’s fundamental operation, much as “manual” or “automatic” transmissions in cars. People usually think that AR means assault rifle. Well, it does not. AR in AR15 stands for ArmaLite, period.
The distinction between an “assault weapon” and a “assault rifle” is mostly based on the practical and aesthetic characteristics of semiautomatic rifles. According to the ATF, a semiautomatic rifle with a detachable magazine and any two of the following characteristics qualifies as a semiautomatic assault weapon:
- A pistol grip that sticks up vertically, like the grip of a gun.
- A mount for a knife or bayonet beneath the barrel.
- A telescoping or folding stock shortens the rifle’s length by folding or detaching the gun’s rear section.
- A grenade launcher.
- A flash suppressor, or threaded barrel made to accept one, is an accessory that mounts to the muzzle to lessen the intensity of the flash produced when the gun discharges.
AR-15: History and Development
The AR-15 has become a symbol of America’s gun culture but very little is known about its interesting history and development.
An American firearm company, Armalite introduced the AR-15 in the late 1950s. The US military at this time was looking for a lighter and shorter gun to replace their M1 Garand and M14 rifles which were getting outdated. To address this need, Eugene Stoner designed the AR-15 for Armalite.
It was revolutionary during its time since it was made by Stoner who used lightweight aluminum on it; plus he added a gas operated rotating bolt system into play which made it different from other rifles then. This feature also made the gun lighter than those old wooden stocks they had been using before this period in military history when handling materials.
In 1958, the AR-15 was tested by the US Army. Despite its modern design, it failed to meet army requirements and a contract was given to the M14 rifle. Nevertheless, this did not stop ArmaLite from introducing the AR-15 to the public.
In 1959, Colt received rights to manufacture the AR-15, after which it began making them for civilians. Its futuristic appearance and excellent performance endeared it to many sport shooters thus becoming a popular rifle worldwide among both civilian and military users alike.
In the 1960s, various modifications were made on this firearm by American forces creating what is now known as the M16 rifle. The M16 was the military counterpart’s version of the AR-15 that was capable of being set to fire either one shot at a time or continuously. It was made the standard rifle for the American soldiers during the war in Vietnam.
AR-15 Parts
The AR-15 is meant for versatility as features can be easily altered to suit unique user needs. These are a couple of common AR-15 components and what they do:
Upper Receiver
This is where the barrel, bolt carrier group and charging handle are located on the rifle. The ejection port and forward assist are also housed within this portion which helps to ensure that incase of a jamming, the bolt will still be locked tightly.
Lower Receiver
AR15 lower parts kit consists of Trigger group, pistol grip and buttstock which are held by the lower receiver. ATF considers it as the “firearm” and is therefore highly regulated.
Barrel
A gun’s barrel is the part of the firearm that discharges a bullet. It influences how precise and distant one can shoot and the type of bullet it accepts. AR-15 barrels are available in various lengths though most measure around 16 inches.
Handguard
Surrounding the barrel is the handguard which safeguards your hands from being scorched during shooting. Not to mention, it has slots for fixing attachments like flashlights, lasers, fore grips etc.
Bolt Carrier Group
This acts as the engine of a rifle responsible for loading, firing and ejecting ammunition. It is made up of three main parts which include the bolt, bolt carrier and firing pin.
Charging Handle
The charging handle acts as the heart of the rifle by loading, firing and ejecting rounds. Basically, it consists of three major components namely; bolt, bolt carrier and firing pin.
Stock
This is the part of the gun that a marksman supports against his or her shoulder to stabilize it while firing. It additionally enables modifications on its own length further back towards the trigger point commonly known as pull adjustment.
Trigger Group
Consists of hammer, disconnector, and trigger; controls how quickly bullets are discharged from rifles. It may also be modified for ease by making it lighter or smoother when pulled.
Magazine
Where ammunition rounds are kept before being fed into an AR-15 during shooting cycles; made up metal or plastic,. AR15 magazines come in different capacities based on design preference among other factors such as intended use (like hunting versus self-defense).
Iron Sights
These types of firearm aiming devices have been used since time immemorial so they can be found installed as standard equipment in most weapons including rifles though there is need to improve materials for accuracy. They consist front post attached near muzzle end while rear sight has small hole through which shooter looks at target area thereby helping him align gun bore towards potential hit point.
Buy all AR15 Magazines at Cordelia Gun Exchange
AR15 Magpul
For the AR15, what most people like from Magpul is the PMAG magazine. These polymer mags are famous for their toughness and reliability, having been seen to survive in harsh conditions at high round counts.
Shooters can also choose among other capacities besides 30 rounds—anything between 10 and 40 is available so that each shooter picks what works for them based on how they like to shoot or what they’re using it for.
A must-have for any AR15 owner is an excellent grip. Its ergonomic design and comfortable anti-slip texture are the reasons why many users prefer Magpul’s MOE grip. Additionally, it’s practical for batteries or small tools storage thus an ideal addition to any rifle.
To make things more convenient when you don’t have much space, there’s a collapsible stock option for the Magpul stock AR15. The CTR (Compact/Type Restricted) Stock is designed to be both strong and lightweight with a friction lock system that ensures tight fitting.
The MBUS Pro is a new product within the range of Magpul AR15 accessories. These iron sights flip up and are made from steel, which means that they’re more robust than the polymer versions. There has been significant demand for a secondary sight for rifles among users who would rather avoid anything complicated when it comes to installation or adjustment– this is why these have become so popular.
Buy all AR15 Magpul at Cordelia Gun Exchange
AR15 Pistol
How can we forget the AR15 pistols when we talk about the AR15 firearm range. First off, the main purpose behind an AR15 pistol is for it to be shorter so that one can easily control it in tight quarters; this also reduces its weight hence an ideal choice for persons who require something they can carry around easily and use for various purposes.
AR-15 pistols are small semi-automatic rifles with shorter barrels and no conventional shoulder stocks.
- Short Barrel: This makes them easier to handle in confined spaces, usually about 7-10 inches long.
- Pistol Brace: Equipped with a stabilizing brace for improved control and stability while shooting.
- Semi-Automatic Action: They fire one round each time the trigger is pulled, just like regular rifles do.
- Modularity: Accessories such as optics, handguards, and grips that fit AR-15 rifles also work with these guns since most parts are interchangeable between them due to their design similarities.
- Caliber Options: Although 5.56 NATO/.223 Remington is the most common caliber type used—others may include .300 Blackout as well as 9mm depending on what someone wants it for or where they are planning on using one since some places allow certain calibers while hunting laws regulate others more strictly main scalper don’t do this much though still make sure always check local state government wildlife area etc could get fined thousands dollars prison time too serious.
- Versatility: People can go plinking at the range with them, or even set up home defense systems around these types of firearms if they so choose—outside factors being taken into account such as what county someone lives within plus if any game wardens might happen by while someone’s got one configured just right sitting on top a tripod.
Difference Between the AR Rifle and Pistol
| Features | AR Rifle | AR Pistol |
|---|---|---|
| Barrel Length | Longer (typically 16 inches or more) | Shorter (typically 7-10 inches) |
| Stock | Has a traditional shoulder stock | Often lacks a shoulder stock; uses a stabilizing brace |
| Overall Length | Longer | Shorter |
| Design Purpose | Primarily for accuracy at longer ranges | Designed for compactness and close quarters |
| ATF Classification | Generally classified as a rifle | Classified as a pistol |
| Handling | Less maneuverable in tight spaces | More maneuverable in tight spaces |
| Caliber Options | Same as pistols, but often higher caliber | Same as rifles, including standard rifle calibers |
| Legal Considerations | Subject to rifle regulations | Subject to pistol regulations |
How to Build an AR-15 Rifle?
Parts Needed
- Lower Receiver
- Upper Receiver
- Barrel
- Bolt Carrier Group (BCG)
- Handguard
- Stock
- Trigger Group
- Gas System Components
- Sights or Optics
Tools Needed
- Armorer’s Wrench
- Punch Set
- Torque Wrench
- Vise Block
- Pin Punches
- Hammer
Start Building..
- Install the bullet catch group, magazine catch, and bolt catch.
- Install the buffer tube, buffer spring, and buffer.
- Fasten the pistol grip and lower parts kit.
- Slide the trigger assembly, hammer, and safety selector.
- Mount the ejection port cover, forward assist, and charging handle.
- Attach the barrel to the upper receiver using the barrel nut and a torque wrench.
- Connect the front and rear takedown pins to join the two halves.
- Insert the bolt carrier group (BCG) and charging handle into the upper receiver.
- Fit the stock onto the buffer tube.
- Test fire the rifle to ensure all parts are moving freely and functioning properly after putting it together; then take it to a safe and legal shooting range for further testing.
Final Thoughts
The ArmaLite Rifle is the most modular and versatile rifle on the market today. The ability to customize the rifle to your specific need makes it desirable to many people. A lot of veterans also like to recreate the rifle that they carried while they were in or deployed. Having a rifle that is capable of switching calibers also makes it incredibly useful for hunting and home defense.
FAQs
Q. What does ar stand for in ar15?
This AR Rifle was named by its developer, ArmaLite. (That’s where “AR” comes from.)
Q. Who makes the best ar15?
As you may expect there isn’t one size fits all solution as different people like different things but companies such as Daniel Defense, Colt or even FN Herstal are all good places to start if you’re looking for a manufacturer.
Q. How to disassemble an ar15?
For disassembly one would have to remove the magazine, check that no cartridges are left in the chamber, separate upper receiver from lower receiver group then take out bolt carrier assembly while at it; specific steps may vary depending on what kind of rifle we have here!
Q. How to build an ar15?
In order to build an ar-15 you will need some parts like the lower receiver, upper receiver, barrel/handguard combo among other things like a bolt carrier group complete with firing pin assembly, etc.
Q. Who invented the ar15?
Eugene Stoner who worked at ArmaLite (the manufacturer) back in the 1950s is the brain behind the AR-15 design.
