- The AR-15 was initially developed in the late 1950s by ArmaLite, but the American gun manufacturer didn’t enjoy much success selling it. As a result, it sold the AR-15 patents and trademarks to Colt.
- Colt convinced the U.S. military to adopt the AR-15, then known as the M-16, in the early 1960s, allowing the automatic firearm to become the standard issue rifle for American troops during the Vietnam War.
- Colt began mass-producing a semi-automatic version of the M-16 in the mid-1960s and sold it to law enforcement officers and the general public, marketing it as the AR-15. It eventually achieved widespread commercial success, blossoming into the best-selling rifle in the U.S.
According to a 2023 Washington Post report, about one in 20 American adults (that’s roughly 16 million people) own at least one AR-15. It routinely appears on lists of the best-selling firearms in the U.S. each year, alongside other popular options such as Glock pistols, AK-47 rifles, and Ruger semi-automatic rifles.
Yet, even the most avid AR-15 aficionados aren’t always fully aware of its storied history, including its original introduction to the American public. So, when was the AR-15 first introduced, what kind of reaction did it initially receive, and when did the AR-15 become available to the public?
Let’s look back at where the AR-15 got its start before highlighting how it managed to earn its rightful place within the firearms industry.
The Introduction of the AR-15
Some people believe the “AR” in AR-15 stands for “assault rifle” or “automatic rifle,” but this is not the case. Instead, the “AR” stems from ArmaLite, which was the gun’s original manufacturer.
The California-based company developed the AR-15 in the late 1950s. It was a lightweight version of the AR-10, which ArmaLite had also produced just a few years earlier.
The Early Struggles of the AR-15
The AR-15 may be one of the most popular firearms in the U.S. today. However, it was far from an overnight success, as ArmaLite struggled to sell the AR-15 when it first emerged.
The reason for this was simple, as the answer to the question, “Is the AR-15 a military weapon?” was “yes,” and the U.S. military didn’t show much of an early interest in adopting the AR-15 as a standard-issue firearm for troops. This eventually led ArmaLite to abandon the AR-15 and move in a different direction.
The Sale of the Patents and Trademarks for the AR-15
Since little fanfare surrounded the AR-15 when ArmaLite unveiled it, the company chose not to devote much time or money to marketing it to the masses. The company severed its ties with the weapon in 1959, selling its patents and trademarks to Colt.
The iconic brand made a name for itself throughout the second half of the 19th and 20th centuries, thanks to the success of firearms like the Colt Walker, the Colt M1911, and the Colt Python. Incorporating the AR-15 into its collection would be another feather in its cap.
The U.S. Military’s Adoption of the AR-15
ArmaLite may have struggled to drum up much interest in the AR-15, but the same can’t be said for Colt. Even though the Connecticut-based company had only owned the patents and trademarks for the AR-15 for a few years by the time 1963 rolled around, it didn’t stop the U.S. military from selecting the automatic rifle as its standard-issue firearm for American troops during the Vietnam War.
However, it is worth noting that the rifle was known as the M-16 when it was adopted for military use. It’s also worth pointing out that the M-16 had a few differences that set it apart from the AR-15, such as its longer barrel length and heavier barrel.
Although the Vietnam War lasted for 20 years, the U.S. military didn’t have much to show for it by the end. The South Vietnamese government fell after North Vietnamese forces took over Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City), resulting in Vietnam unifying under communist rule. One of the few highlights from the war was the proliferation of the M-16.
The Commercial Production of the AR-15
After witnessing the success of the M-16 as a military weapon, Colt decided to produce it commercially for law enforcement officers and the general public throughout the remainder of the 1960s and 1970s. Rather than selling it as the M-16, Colt created a semi-automatic version and began marketing it as the AR-15. The company made many of the AR-15 parts lighter and easier to use than those for the M-16.
The Ramped-Up Production of the AR-15
By the 1970s, Colt's patents for the AR-15 started to expire, and that was when the semi-automatic rifle really took off. Soon, many other manufacturers began developing their own versions of the reliable AR-15, each equipped with its own unique name. Still, these firearms failed to shake the AR-15 name, as it transformed into a generic term used to describe all AR-15-style rifles.
The Federal Ban That Nearly Doomed the AR-15
The AR-15 is beloved to the point that the National Rifle Association once suggested the “AR” in AR-15 should stand for “America’s Rifle”. But the Federal Assault Weapons Ban that was in effect from 1994 to 2004 dramatically impacted the AR-15’s sales to the point where it almost disappeared.
Once this ban expired, the AR-15 bounced back in a big way. By the late 2000s, the National Shooting Sports Foundation helped popularize the term “modern sporting rifle” to refer to the AR-15, thereby enhancing its standing within the competitive shooting community and the entire firearms industry.
The Sustained Success of the AR-15
Since the expiration of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, the AR-15 has transformed into one of the best-selling firearms in the U.S. It has also landed in the middle of its fair share of controversy due to the rise in mass shootings throughout the country, but this hasn’t done enough to ruin its reputation among gun enthusiasts. As a 2023 Washington Post report revealed, tens of millions of Americans now own AR-15s.
The AR-15 is also a popular gun due to its versatility and numerous customization options. While building one, you can pick out everything from the AR-15 lower receiver parts you wish to use to the AR-15 caliber that works best for you, with 5.56 NATO, 6.5 Grendel, .22 LR, .50 Beowulf, .458 SOCOM, .300 Blackout, .350 Legend, and .450 Bushmaster all serving as worthwhile choices.
The AR-15 Continues to Hit the Mark for Gun Owners
At this point, the answer to the question, “When did the AR-15 become available to the public?” is “Well over half a century ago.” Yet, Americans still seemingly love the AR-15 today every bit as much as they did back in the 1960s and 1970s.
If you would like to see why, Wing Tactical has the AR-15 parts and accessories you need to build your own semi-automatic rifle. Start shopping for them, and contact us if you have any questions about which ones you should invest in.