ArmaLite adapted and altered their previous design, the AR 10, based on the requested functionalities and the M16A1 (the first version of the M16) was adopted for use by the US military in 1969, replacing the M14. This combination was intended to improve maneuverability, allow soldiers to carry more ammunition, and improve accuracy. In addition, they wanted a firearm that could fire a smaller caliber, high velocity cartridge. After World War II, the request was made for a firearm that was lighter than what soldiers had been carrying.
Anything else would be considered Mil Spec or military style, but cannot technically be considered an M16.Īs we mentioned above, ArmaLite developed the AR 15 based on specific requests from the government. So, with very few exceptions, this style of firearm can’t properly be called an M16 unless it was manufactured for and made to the specifications of the US military. However, each M16 must meet the fairly strict standards put in place for every component of the M16 and is specifically manufactured to those standards for use by the US military. Of course, that distinction breaks down a bit because the AR 15 was initially developed by ArmaLite by request of the US military. The US military, on the other hand, use the M16.
The AR 15 was developed by ArmaLite and, as you surely know, the AR stands for ArmaLite Rifle not assault rifle the 15 is ArmaLite’s designation for that particular set of rifle designs.
So let’s clarify a few misconceptions and answer your questions about the US military’s version of the AR 15.įirst, for the sake of clarity, we need to specify something right from the start: A Mil Spec AR 15 and an AR 15 made for use by the US military are not technically the same thing, and it starts with the naming convention. However, just because those accessories and custom AR parts are considered Mil Spec, that doesn’t automatically make them the same as the components used by our military, nor does it make Mil Spec ARs military-grade firearms. While AR parts and accessories being made to US military specifications doesn’t inherently make those components better, there is a reason that Mil Spec custom AR parts remain so popular even amongst all the other options available. The goal is to get those components as close as possible to the version of the firearm made for the US military. “Mil Spec” is a phrase that gets tossed around pretty frequently when talking about the best AR accessories and upper assembly modifications that can be made to the AR 15.