<P> The ArmaLite AR - 15 was a select - fire , air - cooled , gas - operated , magazine - fed assault rifle manufactured in the United States between 1959 and 1964 . Designed by American gun manufacturer ArmaLite in 1956 , it was based on its AR - 10 rifle . The ArmaLite AR - 15 was designed to be a lightweight assault rifle and to fire a new high - velocity , lightweight , small - caliber cartridge to allow the infantrymen to carry more ammunition . </P>
<P> The ArmaLite AR - 15 was a select - fire , air - cooled , gas - operated , magazine - fed assault rifle manufactured in the United States between 1959 and 1964 . Designed by American gun manufacturer ArmaLite in 1956 , it was based on its AR - 10 rifle . The ArmaLite AR - 15 was designed to be a lightweight assault rifle and to fire a new high - velocity , lightweight , small - caliber cartridge to allow the infantrymen to carry more ammunition . </P>
when was the ar 15 first sold to us civilians
when was the ar 15 first sold to us civilians
1959
1959