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| AR-16 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Battle rifle,Carbine |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | n/a |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Eugene Stoner |
| Designed | 1959 |
| Manufacturer | ArmaLite |
| Produced | 1959 to early 1960s |
| No. built | Unknown |
| Variants | SeeVariants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8.75 pounds (3.97 kilograms)(Standard) 6.6 pounds (3.0 kilograms)(Carbine) |
| Length | 44.5 inches (113 centimetres)(Standard) 36.9 inches (94 centimetres)(Carbine) |
| Barrel length | 20 inches (51 centimetres)(Standard) 18.3 inches (46 centimetres)(Carbine) |
| Caliber | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-operated,rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 650 rpm |
| Feed system | 20-roundbox magazine |
TheAR-16 was an Americanbattle rifle produced byArmaLite.[1]
The AR-16 was developed shortly after ArmaLite's previous rifle, theAR-15.[2] It was designed byEugene Stoner in 1959 and unlike the AR-15, it was not intended for domestic use by theUS Army; it was instead marketed towards emerging nations with a limited industrial base.[3][4] The7.62×51mm cartridge was selected for the AR-16, rather than the5.56×45mm cartridge which had recently been standardized byNATO, because it was perceived that the AR-16's intended customers would be still reliant on 7.62mm and unwilling to buy 5.56mm rifles. In a marketing ploy, ArmaLite also emphasized that themachine tools used to produce the gun could be re-purposed foragricultural andoffice purposes. The AR-16 was briefly marketed in the early 1960s but never entered full production due to a lack of sales. There was very little interest in the design, as most NATO member states were in the process of adopting the 5.56×45mm cartridge, and countries that were still using 7.62×51mm were largely satisfied with theFN FAL. In order to adapt to the changing market, ArmaLite redesigned the weapon in 5.56mm; this evolved into theArmaLite AR-18. Plans were made for several variants of the standard AR-16, including a9mmsubmachine gun and a civiliansporting rifle. Ultimately, only acarbine variant was ever made.[5][6]
The AR-16 was agas-operated,selective-fire rifle that utilized arotating bolt. In order to facilitate for ease of production, the design of the rifle was kept relatively simple and it was made from inexpensivesheet metal pressings. The only machined components were thebarrel,bolt carrier, and a pair ofbrackets. Thebolt,extractor, andflash hider could be machined but this was inessential. The carbine model of the AR-16 featured afolding stock.
This variant of the AR-16 was planned to run on9×19mm Parabellum, and to be asubmachine gun. However, this variant was never made.
This variant of the AR-16 was planned to be a civiliansporting rifle. However, this version was never made.
This variant was the only one constructed out of the three variants. This variant had afolding stock, but no other major differences.