AR-16: Armalite's Lost Battle Rifle (Patreon)

AR16: Armalite's Lost Battle Rifle (Ad-free)

The best firearms reference books: https://www.headstamppublishing.com The AR-16 was developed in the late 1950s as a less manufacturing intensive option to the AR-10. It began with the AR-12, which was a prototype intended to use a stamped receiver with the Stoner DI gas system. When Armalite sold the AR-15 patents to Colt, they had to revise that design, and it became the AR-14, with a Tokarev type short stroke gas piston and a stamped receiver. Two of these rifles were originally made, both chambered for .308 with folding stocks and mostly stamped parts. They were offered for sale, but there were no buyers - by the time the AR-16 was ready most countries who needed a new rifle had already chosen the FAL, H&K G3, M14, or other option. Instead, when Stoner left Armalite, Arthur Miller scaled the AR-16 down to 5.56mm, where it became the AR-18. Thanks to the Institute of Military Technology for allowing me to have access to these, the only two existing AR-16 examples film for you! Check them out at: http://www.instmiltech.com http://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeapons http://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeapons Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! http://shop.forgottenweapons.com