This article is a review of many variations of the AR-15 family of weapons. Weapons patterned on the original ArmaLite AR-15 have been produced by numerous manufacturers and have been used by nations around the world, some of which created their own variations. The tables here are split in a variety of categories, and provide an overview of different subtypes of the platform. For purposes of these tables, bold model numbers are weapons used (or previously used) by the U.S. Military while italic model numbers are weapons for commercial or export sale. See Glossary of terms for an explanation of each column.
Colt has been the most visible producer of weapons of the AR-15 pattern, and the military designation M16 is heavily associated with the company. Colt has an intricate internal nomenclature system for its models, with a variety of suffixes and prefixes. Colt’s systems have generally followed the times and though its model numbers originally came without prefixes, with the need to separate weapons made for civilian consumption from those made for military and law enforcement use, military models became prefixed with the code “RO.” For the purposes of this table, the RO nomenclature is obviated as this terminology did not exist in all cases, but it can be understood to be present. Military/LE models are also easily identified by their three digit code in contrast to the four digit codes for civilian weapons.
Colt’s civilian line is identified by a four digit code following a specific prefix. Initially all Colt civilian weapons were listed with an “R” prefix, with this changing to “AR” following the passage of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban in 1994. Colt also produced a line of weapons aimed at target shooters under the “MT” prefix, which stood for Match Target, as well as, the Colt Accurized Rifle, which was the only model to feature the CR prefix. Most recently with the shift in marketing policy by Colt Defense, these weapons have been given the “LE” and "LT" prefix. The "LT" series is modified version of the Colt 6720 featuring a lightweight "pencil" barrel with a free floating rail system. Only 1500 of the "LT" series were produced. Currently, Colt Defense has no line targeted specifically at the private civilian market.
R series models[]
Colt model no.
Name
Stock
Fire control
Rear sight
Forward assist
Case deflector
Barrel length
Barrel profile
Barrel twist
Hand guards
Bayonet Lug
Muzzle device
R6000
AR-15 Sporter (SP1)
A1
S-1
A1
No
No
20 in.
A1
1:12
Triangular
Yes
Type 2 Duckbill or A1
R6001
AR-15 Sporter Carbine (SP1 Carbine)
2nd Generation
S-1
A1
No
No
16 in.
A1
1:12
Short Ribbed
Yes
A1
R6002
AR-15 Sporter (SP1; Bundled with 3x scope)
A1
S-1
A1
No
No
20 in.
A1
1:12
Triangular
Yes
A1
R6003
AR-15 Sporter Carbine (SP1 Carbine; Bundled with 3x scope)
2nd Generation
S-1
A1
No
No
16 in.
A1
1:12
Short Ribbed
Yes
A1
R6004
AR-15 Sporter (SP1; Bundled with Colt Reflex Sighting System)
A1
S-1
A1
No
No
20 in.
A1
1:12
Triangular
Yes
A1
R6420
AR-15A2 Sporter II Carbine
3rd Generation
S-1
A1
Yes
No & Yes
16 in.
A1
1:7
Short Ribbed
Yes
A2
R6430
Sporter Lightweight (9 mm)
A2
S-1
A1
No
Removable
16 in.
A1
1:10
Short Ribbed
Yes
A1
R6450
AR-15 9 mm Carbine
3rd Generation
S-1
A1
No
No & Removable
16 in.
A1
1:10
Short Ribbed
Yes
A1
R6500
AR-15A2 Sporter II
A2
S-1
A1
Yes
No & Yes
20 in.
A2
1:7
Ribbed
Yes
A2
R6510
AR-15A2 Sporter II (Special export model in .222 Remington)
A2
S-1
A2
Yes
No
20 in.
A2
1:12
Ribbed
Yes
A2
R6520
AR-15A2 Government Carbine
3rd Generation
S-1
A2
Yes
Yes
16 in.
A1
1:7
Short Ribbed
Yes
A2
R6521
Colt Carbine (AR-15A2 Government Carbine) (Special export model with receiver block and large pin upper receiver)
3rd Generation
S-1
A2
Yes
Yes
16 in.
A1
1:7
Short Ribbed
Yes/No
A2
R6530
Sporter Lightweight .223
3rd Generation
S-1
A2
Yes
Yes
16 in.
A1
1:7
Short Ribbed
No
A2
R6550
AR-15A2 Government
A2
S-1
A2
Yes
Yes
20 in.
A2
1:7
Ribbed
Yes
A2
R6550CC
AR-15A2 Government (w/ factory camouflage finish)
A2
S-1
A2
Yes
Yes
20 in.
A2
1:7
Ribbed
Yes
A2
R6550K
AR-15A2 Government (w/ factory installed .22 Long Rifle conversion kit)
A2
S-1
A2
Yes
Yes
20 in.
A2
1:7
Ribbed
Yes
A2
R6551
Sporter Target
A2
S-1
A2
Yes
Yes
20 in.
A2
1:7
Ribbed
No
A2
R6600
AR-15A2 HBAR
A2
S-1
A2
Yes
Yes
20 in.
HBAR
1:7
Ribbed
Yes
A2
R6600DH
AR-15A2 Delta HBAR (bundled w/ Tasco 3–9x scope and cheekpiece)
A2
S-1
A2
Yes
Yes
20 in.
HBAR
1:7
Ribbed
Yes
A2
R6600K
AR-15A2 HBAR (w/ factory installed .22 Long Rifle conversion kit)
A2
S-1
A2
Yes
Yes
20 in.
HBAR
1:7
Ribbed
Yes
A2
R6601
Sporter Match HBAR
A2
S-1
A2
Yes
Yes
20 in.
HBAR
1:7
Ribbed
No
A2
R6601DH
Sporter Match Delta HBAR (bundled w/ Tasco 3–9x scope and cheekpiece)
A2
S-1
A2
Yes
Yes
20 in.
HBAR
1:7
Ribbed
No
A2
R6700
Sporter Competition HBAR
A2
S-1
Flattop
Yes
Yes
20 in.
HBAR
1:9
Ribbed
No
A2
R6700CH
Sporter Competition HBAR (bundled w/ Tasco 3–9x scope and cheekpiece)
The Canadian company Colt Canada (formerly Diemaco) licensed production of a rifle (Colt Model 715) and carbine (Colt Model 725), but later went on to produce an entire line of AR-15/M16 pattern weapons developed independently. In May 2005, Colt's Manufacturing Company acquired Diemaco, and the name was changed to Colt Canada.
When Diemaco became Colt Canada the marketing names for a number of products were changed, though some remained the same. Those that changed are listed below, with comments on what major changes Colt Canada made the models.
Diemaco model
Colt Canada model
Comments
C7FT
C7A1
Colt Canada offers this rifle with either a Weaver or MIL-STD-1913 rail type sight base
LSW
LSW
Colt Canada offers this rifle with either a Weaver or MIL-STD-1913 rail type sight base
C8FT
C8A1
Colt Canada offers this rifle with either a Weaver or MIL-STD-1913 rail type sight base
C8FTHB
C8A2
Colt Canada offers this rifle with either a Weaver or MIL-STD-1913 rail type sight base
SFW
SFW
Colt Canada offers this rifle with either a Weaver or MIL-STD-1913 rail type sight base
C8CQB
CQB
Colt Canada offers this rifle with either a Weaver or MIL-STD-1913 rail type sight base
Canadian 3rd Generation: 4-position fiberlite retractable stock fitted with rubber buttpad
4th Generation: 4-position nylon retractable stock. Introduced 2002, designed by Picatinny Arsenal engineer Lily Ko with reinforced ribs, an angled buttplate, and a rear sling swivel
Retractable ACR: Similar in design to the so-called "Crane Stock" (initially fabricated by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division) essentially a 3rd generation unit with integrated cheek-rest
FPW Wire: Retractable wire stock similar in appearance to the stock used on the M3 submachine gun
Israeli: Rebuilt 3rd Generation stocks with 6 positions instead of 2
Fire control[]
S-1: The selector is Safe (S) – Semi-Automatic (1)
S-F: The selector is Safe (S) – Fully Automatic (F)
S-1-F: The selector is Safe (S) – Semi-Automatic (1) – Fully Automatic (F)
S-1–3: The selector is Safe (S) – Semi-Automatic (1) – 3-Round Limiter (3)
S-F-1–3: The selector is Safe (S) – Fully Automatic (F) – Semi-Automatic (1) – 3-Round Limiter (3). First Generation 4 position group
S-1–3-F: The selector is Safe (S) – Semi-Automatic (1) – 3-Round Limiter (3) – Fully Automatic (F). Second Generation 4 position group
Rear sight[]
A1: "Field sights" in which the rear sight is only adjustable for windage
A2: Rear sight adjustable for both windage and elevation
Flattop: Indicates carry handle and rear sight has been replaced with a MIL-STD-1913 rail. A detachable carry handle can be attached to the rail which features either A1 (Diemaco/Colt Canada) or A2 (Colt) sights
Weaver: Indicates carry handle and rear sight has been replaced with a Weaver-type rail. A detachable carry handle can be attached to the rail which features either A1 (Diemaco/Colt Canada) or A2 (Colt) sights
Barrel Profile[]
ArmaLite Early ArmaLite AR-15 ultra-lightweight 'Hollywood' turned-down profile barrel, 1:14 twist only
A1: Also referred to as the "lightweight" or "pencil" profile. Government-specified barrel profile increased to between 0.675 and 0.575 inches
A2: Also referred to as the "government" or "gov't" profile. Barrel profile for which the portion of the barrel in front of handguards is thickened to 0.715 inches
HBAR: A barrel that in some portion is thicker than government-profile, usually underneath the handguards
M4: Government barrel profile with small portion reduced to 0.575 inches to mount M203 grenade launcher
M4 HBAR: M4 barrel with portion under handguard thickened for sustained automatic fire
Super Heavy: Special Colt bull target/match barrel
SFW: Special Forces Weapon profile, A2 profile with "fat" portion forward of the sight triangle
Barrel twist[]
Note: Metric measurements are rounded upwards to the nearest digit.
1:14: 1 right hand twist every 14 inches (356 mm)
1:12: 1 right hand twist every 12 inches (305 mm) .223 Remington (US M193)
1:10: 1 right hand twist every 10 inches (254 mm) 9 x 19 mm NATO
1:9: 1 right hand twist every 9 inches (229 mm) .223 Remington & 5.56 x 45 mm NATO
1:7: 1 right hand twist every 7 inches (178 mm) 5.56 x 45 mm NATO (NATO SS109)
Handguards[]
Triangular: Triangular rifle handguards
Short Triangular: Carbine length triangular handguards
Type 2 Duckbill: Also referred to as "three prong." A larger three-prong flash hider
A1: Also referred to as the "Birdcage" flash hider
A2: Birdcage flash hider with bottom slots closed off to act as muzzle compensator and to prevent dust from being blown into the shooters face while in the prone position
3.5" Moderator or 4.5" Moderator: Either the 3.5-inch or 4.5-inch baffled moderators
Conical: A conical flash suppressor
ACR Compensator: Special anti-rise muzzle device developed specifically for the Colt ACR
Factory Compensator: Colt Factory muzzle brake compliant with the restrictions of the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban
References[]
Bartocci, Christopher R. (2004). Black Rifle II: The M16 into the 21st Century. Cobourg, Canada: Collector Grade Publications Inc.. ISBN 0-88935-348-4.
Dockery, Kevin. Special Warfare Special Weapons. Chicago, IL: Emperor's Press, 1997. ISBN 1-883476-00-3.
Gervasi, Tom. Arsenal of Democracy III: America's War Machine, the Pursuit of Global Dominance. New York, NY: Grove Press, Inc, 1984. ISBN 0-394-54102-2.
Long, Duncan. The Complete AR-15/M16 Sourcebook. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 2001. ISBN 0-87364-687-8.
Stevens, R. Blake; Edward C. Ezell (2004) [1987]. The Black Rifle: M16 Retrospective. Modern U.S. Military Small Arms (Second Enhanced Edition ed.). Cobourg, Canada: Colector Grade Publications Inc.. ISBN 0-88935-115-5.
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