Opting for the AR-15 as opposed to an alternative firearm, such as a pistol or revolver, underscores the extent to which this particular rifle has come to epitomize the firearm discourse permeating the United States. It stands as one of the most sought-after and instantly identified guns across the nation.

Undeniably, the AR-15 stands at the heart of America’s firearm narrative, having been deployed on foreign battlegrounds, in local law enforcement, and across a spectrum ranging from recreational target practice to its harrowing use in mass casualty events.

The National Rifle Association has even dubbed this model “America’s Rifle.” But the origins of this icon, and the intent behind its inception, merit a closer look.

Tracing the lineage of the AR-15 leads us to a humble structure in Los Angeles, the solitary workshop of Eugene Stoner—hardly more than a retired marine with a reserved demeanor.

Stoner, whose intrigue with explosives and ballistics dwarfed any absence of formal education, was single-mindedly devoted to crafting the firearm that would eclipse all others in excellence, all the while pouring his efforts into the pursuit of a rifle that prized lightness.

During Stoner’s era, the United States military cast about for a superior rifle to equip its forces. Victory in World War II had been achieved with cumbersome rifles crafted of wood and forged steel. However, military strategists harbored deep-seated concerns regarding rising communist forces worldwide, adversaries frequently armed with the rapid-fire, short-range capable AK-47.

The pressing need was clear: America required a firearm that could offer a strategic countermeasure. Eugene Stoner rose to the occasion, eschewing steel for aluminum and engineering an ingeniously streamlined internal mechanism.

This innovative design harnessed the recoil energy to eject spent cartridges and seamlessly chamber the subsequent round. The culmination of his work was a weapon that facilitated swift, voluminous firing, with user-friendly accuracy and control—a match for the military’s specifications.

Parts of an AR-15

The AR-15 reigns supreme as the preeminent modular firearm platform in today’s market. Whether you opt for a fully assembled, off-the-shelf rifle or elect to meticulously piece together your own creation from scratch, diving into the world of AR-15 construction may initially come across as daunting, yet the process is surprisingly straightforward in practice.

For those drawn to the idea of engineering an AR-15 or enhancing an existing stock version, possessing a comprehensive understanding of its components is key. Additionally, acquainting oneself with the breadth of available add-ons is pivotal, enabling a tailor-made adjustment of your armament to fit your precise inclinations.

But, just how deeply are you versed in the anatomy of your rifle? Let’s cast a spotlight on the components that converge to constitute your mighty AR-15.

Upper receiver group parts

Entrenched at the core of your firearm, the upper receiver group harbors elements including the upper receiver, barrel, and handguard, along with the bolt carrier group and charging handle — https://virginiacitizensarmory.com/category/ar15/upper-receiver/complete-upper-receivers/ — not to mention a miscellany of other integral upper receiver assembly parts. This segment securely fastens to your rifle’s lower receiver, culminating in a consummate, operational arm.

Mirroring the vast potential for customization found throughout your rifle, the upper receiver group offers the flexibility of full, pre-assembled purchases for immediate use. Alternatively, for those who relish a hands-on approach, individual components are at your disposal for a highly personalized build.

Muzzle Devices

Arrayed at the tip of your rifle’s muzzle, a multitude of apparatuses awaits to refine your firing experience. Market offerings unfold into three dominant muzzle device types: compensators, muzzle brakes, and flash hiders, each contributing distinct advantages to your shooting sessions.

Lower receiver group parts

The lower receiver group serves as the foundation to which the upper receiver group mates, together completing the architecture of your rifle. This section is the residence of the trigger assembly, buffer tube, magazine release, safety selector, and bolt catch among other fundamental parts.

Here, the choice is yours: go for a fully composed lower receiver group ready for action, or embrace the challenge of starting with a stripped-down version and embarking on a build that’s uniquely yours.

Grips

The linchpin of an unrivaled shooting ordeal, a steadfast grip on your firearm is non-negotiable. To achieve the most precise and controlled discharge, two varieties of grips warrant consideration: the pistol grips and foregrips. They both play a pivotal role in ensuring that every shot you take is as accurate as possible, aligning your hold with your aim.

From Battlefields to Most Popular Firearms Among Civilians

Transcending its roots on the battlegrounds, ArmaLite granted Colt—esteemed for its long heritage in firearm manufacture—the prerogative to recast the AR-15 as a civilian staple, rebranded as the Sporter. This iteration boasted a semi-automatic mechanism, opposing its full-auto military brethren.

Yet, it failed to capture the hearts of the 70s and 80s hunting cohort, steeped in tradition, who showed preference for more substantial caliber firearms, adorned with polished wood stocks, quickly dismissing the newcomer’s synthetic and aluminum attire as inferior.

A quirk of political fate catapulted this firearm into the limelight. Urban centers, plagued by crime surges, witnessed the unsavory employment of firearms like AK-47s and Mac-10s in numerous shooting incidents during the waning years of the 80s and into the 90s.

This alarming trend galvanized politicians and law enforcement, spawning a burgeoning opposition to the proliferation of these military-style semi-automatic arms accompanied by hefty magazines, inadvertently ensnaring the AR-15 in the crosshairs of controversy.

President Clinton, with the endorsement of allies and opponents alike, as well as the law enforcement community, appended his signature to the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban.

This act inadvertently enshrined the AR-15 as a political talisman—a token delineating the contentious divide over Second Amendment liberties—thereby magnetizing a wave of devotees to its ranks.

These two streams—the societal repulsion towards military resemblance in conjunction with the martial bravado underscored by our “war on terror”—converged, propelling the sales trajectory of the AR-15 into the stratosphere.

AR-15 became a business story

In so doing, the AR-15 transcended mere production lines, evolving into a narrative of commercial success. Anxiety surrounding the assault weapon’s prohibition catalyzed a frenzy of purchases, as consumers apprehended the potentiality of restricted access.

In advance of the ban’s enactment, firearm manufacturers ingeniously adapted the design, ensuring compliance with the legal statutes, barely skirting the contours of the new law’s intentions.

Upon the cessation of the ban in 2004, facilitated by a Republican-controlled Congress, major gun producers, initially reticent, pounced on the opportunity presented by the repealed restrictions, lured by the siren song of profit. The ease of assembly and the modularity of the AR-15 underscored its allure, allowing for swift escalation or diminution in its production—a lucrative trait.

An Uptick in Sales

A climate of trepidation has inarguably been the linchpin in the AR-15’s entrenchment into American lore. Its sales surged, particularly under the Obama Administration, fueled by insinuations espoused by gun proprietors and powerhouses like the NRA, who stoked the flames of potential legislative onslaughts on assault weaponry, particularly in the aftermath of tragic mass shootings such as those in Sandy Hook in 2012 and the Orlando nightclub in 2016, both instances where AR-style rifles featured prominently.

Yet, despite the clamor, the legislative hammer has yet to fall on weapon ban enactments of any stripe. Manufacturers stand on the cusp of a new frontier, poised to distribute blueprints, empowering those both affluent and audacious to fabricate firearms, like the AR-15, using 3D printers—apart from identifiers and untraceable.

Westrom reports an approximate 150 entities crafting components for AR-15s, observing a sales spike with each murmured mention of a ban by the presidential office.

The AR-15’s raison d’être lies in its inception as a tool of warfare, seamlessly exterminating adversaries. Proficient in its grim task, its applications span historical theaters from Vietnam to the modern-day Middle Eastern conflicts.

Notwithstanding its secondary role in civilian homicides, habitually outstripped by handguns—as the FBI data corroborates—the AR-15 bears the distinction of unparalleled lethality amongst American firearm inventions. In the grasp of one with malevolent intent upon the lives of the unsuspecting, it morphs into an instrument of indiscriminate slaughter.

AR-15 in the Gun Control Movement

The firearm in question has transformed into an emblem that’s commanding the spotlight. You can catch wind of key figures from the Democratic Party still drumming up conversations around the necessity for a revamped assault weapons prohibition.

This is happening even though our publication lays bare the stark reality that the initial ban scarcely hit the mark. Furthermore, considering the sheer volume of over 20 million of these weapons presently in private possession, one must ponder the potential efficacy of implementing a ban at this juncture.

Backing for those advocating restrictive movements tends to wax and wane, showing a stark contrast to the single-minded dedication evidenced by gun rights organizations.

Consequently, it’s imperative for the discourse to evolve past the simplistic dichotomy that paints firearms as solely malevolent or benevolent. It’s high time we commenced thinking about nuanced, precise measures that elevate our collective safety. That, after all, is the crux of the matter.

Also read: What are the Reasons for Extradition?