AR-15
AR-15 grips
The creation of the AR rifle platform revolutionized modern firearms, originating with ArmaLite in the mid-1950s. Founded in 1954 in Hollywood, California, by Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corp., ArmaLite hired engineer Eugene Stoner as chief designer. Stoner developed innovative gas-operated, lightweight designs starting with the AR-10 (1956), a 7.62×51mm battle rifle using composites, straight-line stock, and direct impingement for reduced weight and recoil
Seeking a lighter option for U.S. military trials to replace the heavy M14, Stoner scaled down the AR-10 in 1957–1958, creating the AR-15 chambered in the new high-velocity .223 Remington (later 5.56×45mm). With help from L. James Sullivan and Bob Fremont, the AR-15 emphasized modularity, 20-round magazines, and soldier-carried ammo capacity
Financial constraints forced ArmaLite to sell AR-10 and AR-15 rights to Colt in 1959 for $75,000 plus royalties. Colt refined it into the military M16 (adopted 1964), while the civilian semi-auto AR-15 exploded in popularity. The modular upper/lower receiver system, easy customization, and reliability made the AR platform dominant in military, law enforcement, competition, and civilian use worldwide—today's most versatile rifle family
