What Does AR stand for in AR-15?

What does the AR stand for in AR15? 

Great question and if you google it, you’ll find yourself with about 10 different answers so let me save you some time. 

So, What Does AR in AR15 Really Stand For?

AR stands for “Armalite Rifle” & the “15” is simply the model number. Side note, It’s also called a “Modern Sporting Rifle” or MSR.

I know mind blown right! This info graphic is from Armalite. I think if anyone knows what AR means Armalite would.

What AR Doesn’t Stand for

Now, I’ve personally heard just about everything but AR doesn’t stand for:  “Assault Rifle, Action Rifle, Automatic Rifle, American Rifle, etc”  

For the record, AR-15 doesn’t even fit the characteristics needed to be considered a assault rifle. The U.S Army defines “assault rifle as” a short, compact, selective-fire weapons that fire a cartridge intermediate in power between sub machine gun and rifle cartridges. The firearm MUST HAVE at least the following to even be considered a assault rifle:

• It must be capable of selective fire.
• It must have an intermediate-power cartridge: more power than a pistol but less than a standard rifle or battle rifle, such as the 7.92×33mm Kurz, the 7.62x39mm and the 5.56x45mm NATO.
• Its ammunition must be supplied from a detachable box magazine.
• It must have an effective range of at least 300 metres (330 yards).

Rifles that meet most of these criteria, but not all, are technically not assault rifles, despite frequently being called such.

For example:

• Select-fire M2 Carbines are not assault rifles; their effective range is only 200 yards.
• Select-fire rifles such as the FN FAL battle rifle are not assault rifles; they fire full-powered rifle cartridges.
• Semi-automatic-only rifles like the Colt AR-15 are not assault rifles; they do not have select-fire capabilities.
• Semi-automatic-only rifles with fixed magazines like the SKS are not assault rifles; they do not have detachable box magazines and are not capable of automatic fire.

There you go NOW YOU KNOW unfortunately, media has already done it’s job. Millions know AR15 as a “Assault Rifle” it is what it is. Perhaps you can do your part and share this Armory Article with your friends or maybe you’re here looking for the answer for: “What does AR stand for in AR 15?” Either way thanks for stopping by hope this helps. Don’t forget to check out our marketplace 

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