ArmaLite AR-10

The ArmaLite AR-10 is a 7.62×51mm NATO battle rifle designed by Eugene Stoner in the late 1950s and manufactured by ArmaLite (then a division of the Fairchild Aircraft Corporation). When first introduced in 1956, the AR-10 used an innovative combination of a straight-line barrel/stock design with phenolic composite, a new patent-filed gas-operated bolt and carrier system and forged alloy parts resulting in a small arm significantly easier to control in automatic fire and over 1 lb (0.45 kg) lighter than other infantry rifles of the day. Over its production life, the original AR-10 was built in relatively small numbers, with fewer than 10,000 rifles assembled. However, the ArmaLite AR-10 would become the progenitor for a wide range of firearms.

ArmaLite AR-10
An ArmaLite AR-10 (Portuguese model)
TypeBattle rifle
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1960–1976 (Portugal)
1958–1985 (Sudan)
Used bySee AR-10 purchasers by country
WarsPortuguese Colonial War
Sudanese Civil War
Operation Seroja
Militias-Comando Vermelho conflict
Production history
DesignerEugene Stoner
ManufacturerArmaLite
Artillerie-Inrichtingen (AI)
Colt's Manufacturing Company
Produced1956–present
No. built9,900
Specifications
Mass3.29–4.05 kg (7.25–8.9 lb) w/o magazine
Length1,050 mm (41.3 in)
Barrel length528 mm (20.8 in)

Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
.308 Winchester
6.5mm Creedmoor
ActionGas-operated, rotating bolt (Direct expansion of gas on surfaces of Bolt Carrier)
Rate of fire700 rounds/min (fully automatic), variable (semi-automatic)
Muzzle velocity820 m/s (2,690 ft/s)
Effective firing range600 m (660 yd) (700 m (770 yd) with A.I. 3.6× telescopic sight)
Feed system20-round detachable box magazine
SightsAdjustable aperture rear sight, fixed post front sight

In 1957, the basic AR-10 design was rescaled and substantially modified by ArmaLite to accommodate the .223 Remington cartridge, and given the designation ArmaLite AR-15.

In 1959, ArmaLite sold its rights to the AR-10 and AR-15 to Colt's Manufacturing Company due to financial difficulties, and limitations in terms of manpower and production capacity. After modifications (most notably, the charging handle was re-located from under the carrying handle like AR-10 to the rear of the receiver), the new redesigned rifle (the AR-15) was subsequently adopted by the U.S. military as the M16 rifle. Colt continued to use the AR-15 trademark for its line of semi-automatic-only rifles, which it marketed to civilian and law-enforcement customers as the Colt AR-15.

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