The AR 15

During the Vietnam war the American government decided the solders needed a new light weight rifle. This rifle did not have to be chambered in 30 caliber, but in a light weight caliber. Armalite took up the call and made a variety of rifle. The rifle that passed all the trials was the AR 15. The AR in AR 15 does not mean Assault rifle, it means Armalite. This rifle was adopted as the M16 by the US military, and a number of countries use its design, including Canada. The new AR 15 weighed 5.5 pounds at its most basic form, the ammunition was also twice as light as the battle rifles ammunition. This means that a solder can carry more ammunition, more ammo = fire superiority. This rifle fired a 5.56mm bullet or 223, solders at first didn't like this rifle because of the small caliber and plastic in its design. When solders in Vietnam where issued this weapon problems with it started to pop up. It had a reputation for being unreliable, this was due to the fact that the gun powder was changed and the solders weren't issued cleaning kits. Ones thought problems where solved the rifle started to get a good reputation. The caliber is a huge controversy, yes it is standered for NATO countries, it lacks a stopping power and a penetration power. This bullet ones it hits anything it starts to tumble, yes this causes savior wounds, it will not drop a target like a 30 caliber will. Also the bullet does not penetrate objects very well, it a solder is taking a shot at a target threw a forest with branches in his way, the bullets is most likely going to go off course. Allot of countries started to copy this smaller caliber bullet.

(picture of a early AR 15/M16)


bibliography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AR-15