What dows the M in M16 mean is it for military? Is AR in AR15 for Assault Rifle? What are the 16 and 15 for?

Answer 1

AR is NOT "assault rifle".

The AR prefix is from the original builder of the [*civilian*] model AR-15, "Armalite" - hence the AR. When the military adopted Stoner's design, it became the US Military M16. The M is Model, and is specific to the military's own arms - ie. M1903 would be a "US Military Springfield Model of 1903" - its essentially the same for [US Military...] M1, M4, M14, M16, M60, except the numbers don't stand for the years they were accepted, rather prototypes. Sub-models were given an A1, A2, A3, etc., after the M##. Hence an M1903A3 or M1A2 or M16A2...these designation were the result of modifications to the original design.

The 15, 16, or any other number is simply just a model number.

Answer 2

Yup, the M stands for model and the AR for the original manufacturer, Armalite. In fact, while testing the rifle the military designation was AR16. I can see how people might think the AR would stand for assault rifle, however that would be incorrect as an AR15 does not meet the requirements of actually being an assault rifle as it fires in semi-automatic mode only. The only actual assault rifles out there require a tax stamp to be purchased and you must live in a state that allows possession of automatic firearms. Also you must meet the stringent background check and be subject to Federal inspection at any time they choose to perform them. It's sad truth is thrown aside when the media and anti-gunners find a buzz word to place in front of an ignorant populace.

Answer 3

define a "new twenty first Century rilfe"? the effort-free technologies of the automated rifle has no longer replaced drastically in over 50 years. there is no longer something somewhat "new" accessible in any respect. *****EDIT**** so which you think of bullpups are "twenty first century"? You do understand that the British military almost observed a bullpup layout interior the early 1950's do no longer you? And the Austrian military has had a bullpup because of the fact the 1970's. that's no longer a sparkling layout philosophy. purely having the magazine on the incorrect end of the gun would not make a gun modern. there have been and nevertheless are many motives to reject the bullpup concept and many armies do reject it.

Answer 4

M-16 is the designation the military gave the original AR-15. Military 16. The next advance was the M16A. The Current M-16A2. You are correct that Assault Rifle is what the AR stands for. The semi-auto version isn't an assault rifle. A true assault rifle has to be capable of full auto.

Answer 5

Most of the above is right, BUT "AR-16" was a stamped version of the AR-10 7.62 and was never produced for contracts or for the public.


UPDATE: Below is a link to the AR-16 for those who need to learn a little more before jumping to conclusions.

Answer 6

The M in M16 stands for Model.
The AR in AR15 stands for Armalite/Fairchild, the original manufacturer of the Eugene Stoner designed rifle.
The numbers designate the number of developmental prototypes leading up to the final design.

Answer 7

progresive mod # s the 16 was a improved mod15 type of deal not so with all mod #s most of them are the year the arm was first produced 1911 colt AK 47 and so on

Answer 8

The first answer is wrong. The 2nd and 3rd are correct.

Answer 9

M - stands for Model, AR - stands for Assault Rifle and the numbers stands for how many different models the military has tried until they finally arrived at one they liked using.