Key facts
- Manufacturer
- Multiple manufacturers; ArmaLite design lineage
- Model
- AR-15 pattern rifle
- Type
- Rifle
- Action or operating system
- Gas-operated semi-automatic family; exact operating system varies by design
- Chamberings
- Many chamberings; 5.56×45 mm / .223 Remington are common but not universal
- Introduced or adopted
- Design lineage developed in the 1950s; civilian pattern expanded later
- Status
- Current family
What it is
“AR-15” is used in public conversation for a broad family of civilian semi-automatic rifles based on the ArmaLite design lineage. The name can describe a pattern rather than one current make and model.
Development and history
ArmaLite developed the original design in the 1950s. Later commercial manufacturers produced many configurations for sport, hunting, training, and lawful defensive use. The military M16 and M4 are related but are not interchangeable with every civilian AR-15 specification.
Why it matters
This page is deliberately a family record. The database must keep manufacturer, action, chambering, barrel, receiver, and legal-context facts attached to the exact variant instead of presenting one universal “AR-15 specification.”
Safety and owner resources
Use the manufacturer manual for the exact rifle and follow current federal, state, and local rules. The platform’s modularity makes variant identification especially important.
Sources
Each source is linked to the facts it supports.
- IMFDB AR-15 reference for media cross-checks
- Type
- Specialist reference
- Reviewed
- August 7, 2026
- NSSF Modern Sporting Rifle facts
- Type
- Specialist reference
- Reviewed
- August 7, 2026
Reviewed August 7, 2026 Version 1
Report an error
Send a source for an incorrect or missing fact. Changes are reviewed before publication.
Use the current manual for the exact firearm. Follow all safety and legal requirements.