| The Armalite name has been synonymous with | | | | originally produced as the M16 assault rifle |
| high quality firearms since the beginning of | | | | and quickly gained a cult-like following on |
| the company's history. Originally a division | | | | the civilian market, which is still very |
| of Fairchild Engine & Airplane Corporation, | | | | significant to this day. Now there are over a |
| Armalite rifles took weapons to the next | | | | dozen companies producing an AR-15 rifle, |
| level. The introduction of plastics and other | | | | which proves the success of this almost |
| space age materials in firearms provided two | | | | sixty-year-old design. |
| key advantages: weight and maneuverability. | | | | |
| Switching the caliber to a smaller projectile | | | | An interesting side note is the US Military |
| also helped to allow soldiers to carry more | | | | was unimpressed with the M16's blowback |
| ammunition when in the field. | | | | operation and sought to change to the piston |
| | | | driven rifle, mostly to avoid cleaning. The |
| The first in the long series of Armalite | | | | original production of the M16 rifle had been |
| innovations was the AR-5 rifle, which was | | | | so rushed that many of Stoner's suggestions |
| designed as a survival rifle for aircraft | | | | were ignored, leading to some disaster in the |
| pilots who crashed in rural areas. The AR-5's | | | | field. |
| genius was the ability to fit the entire | | | | |
| rifle inside the buttstock, for compact and | | | | After a few months of service, Eugene |
| lightweight traveling. Shortly after, the US | | | | Stoner's suggestions had been reconsidered. |
| civilian market was able to purchase the AR-7 | | | | These suggestions helped to make the M16 |
| rifles, which shared the same design, but | | | | rifle the reliable firearm that it is today. |
| were chambered in 22 long rifle; it has | | | | Because of the success of the AR-15 platform, |
| become a favorite of campers and hikers. | | | | the AR-18 was the focus of a good amount of |
| | | | Armalite's efforts. It was believed to be the |
| The next great innovation of Armalite was the | | | | next great firearm of the twentieth century. |
| AR-15 rifle. Created by Eugene Stoner, it was | | | | |