Who makes the military AR-15's??

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gordon21

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Who are the manufacturers that have actually made full auto or 3 round burst AR-15 rifles for the US military over the last 10-15 years?

Is it Colt only or are there contracts let out to others?

Colt advertising makes it seem like they are the only ones with true mil-spec rifles?

I see online sellers offering full auto drop in replacement parts. But you must send a copy of your NFA form before they will ship.

I realize that you can apply for a full auto AR-15 if your CLEO signs off. You can either build one or buy an existing one, correct?? Wouldn't building one be $10,000 cheaper than buying one? Either way you will wait a year for the paperwork and pay the $200
 
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several of the USMC & US Army service rifle team members who shoot at our local rifle range, Bucksnort Rifle & Pistol Range, Marshall, Missouri, have service rifle competition rifles that were made by FN, & yes they are still select fire, although they are tuned & fitted by their team armorers. All the guys like them & complement FNUSA's quality.

Rock River produced some to for several agencies & specialized groups....

I do not know of others, but have seen various ads in print & on TV by several different companies claiming to have sold firearms to several different US military groups........... who knows, it might have only been 1 or 2, or 50 rifles..................or maybe it was a larger contract............
 
Other than Colt I seem to remember FN given a contract to build "AR-15" rifles. It seems like the answer to who builds them other than Colt would be relatively easily researched on the internet.

Regarding your question about full-auto AR-15's there seems to be a lot of confusion on this issue. I have looked seriously into buying a select fire (i.e. fully automatic) firearm and have talked extensively with a local person who specializes in helping people obtain them. I've read the laws on rules regarding them. I've given up on the idea for now.
1. It is legal for most people to own a select fire (fully automatic weapon) depending on the state you live in. My recollection is that some states do not allow this but, insert disclaimer here, I am not an expert.
2. You must comply with all rules related to the National Firearms Act (NFA) from 1934), Federal Firearms Act of 1938, the Gun Control Act of 1968, and, in my opinion the "Big Kahuna" related to your question, the Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) of 1986. The Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA) of 1986 makes it illegal for the general population to either convert an existing semi-auto weapon to full auto or to purchase any full-auto weapon made after 1986. There was a grace period for people to register their full-auto weapons after the FOPA of 1986 was passed so anyone who owns a pre-1986 manufactured or converted full-auto weapon that was not registered back in 1986-1987 is in violation of the law.

Therefore you cannot manufacture a full-auto weapon yourself or buy a newly manufactured (i.e. produced after 1986) full-auto weapon without being in violation of the law and my recollection is that these violations carry a BIG penalty.

This is why full-auto firearms for the average guy are sooooooo
expensive. There is a limited supply of pre-1986 full-auto weapons and no more are being made that will be available to the average guy.
 
If I remember correctly the M16A2 I was issued in basic had FN roll marks on the lower.
 
Both Colt and FN have had US Government Military Contracts.
Recently Colt, Remington and FN placed bids with FN gaining the bid again.

Individual Agencies, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS have had contracts with builder's like Rock River.

Simply stated:

Having owned more than 200 FA firearms in my Hwd rental business, I can say that finding a "transferrable" auto sear (one that was registered with ATF prior to the ban) will be expensive.

Any NFA Firearm manufactured afterward (I make them under my Class 7) is made for demonstration to US Military or LEO. If a contract follows, more are made.

That weapon or part is NOT transferable to an Individual.

As for your CLEO signing off, that's not entirely true.
Your CLEO can order the part, have it installed in a "Department" weapon and do the proper paperwork, then he can issue it to you, officially.
You do not own it.
It would have to be surrendered back to the Department on separation.
 
It is my understanding that full auto M16s haven't been made for many years. They are all burst select fire now.

Also, it is not an easy undertaking to convert an AR-15 to full auto. There isn't enough room in the lower for the necessary parts. So, the lower must be machined out a little. At least that's what I heard.
 
Rastoff said:
It is my understanding that full auto M16s haven't been made for many years. They are all burst select fire now.

Also, it is not an easy undertaking to convert an AR-15 to full auto. There isn't enough room in the lower for the necessary parts. So, the lower must be machined out a little. At least that's what I heard.
Click to expand...

Multiple ways to do it, but as you said, the best way requires milling. Truth is, I'd take burst mode over FA any day.
 
Rastoff said:
It is my understanding that full auto M16s haven't been made for many years. They are all burst select fire now.

Also, it is not an easy undertaking to convert an AR-15 to full auto. There isn't enough room in the lower for the necessary parts. So, the lower must be machined out a little. At least that's what I heard.
Click to expand...

Yes, the lower has to be machined out to accept the full auto parts for the trigger assembly, but you cannot have it done legally anymore.

I had an AR15 back in the late 70's or early 80's that I had converted to full auto. Went through a friend who had a Class III at the time. Sold the gun to another officer for double what I had into it, and regret ever doing so.:(
 
A side note, hopefully not too far off topic...

Recently I was qualifying with the M16 for the Air Force. The guns we had a the school were so old they actually had the word Auto scratched out and the word Burst inscribed next to it.
 
Also, it is not an easy undertaking to convert an AR-15 to full auto. There isn't enough room in the lower for the necessary parts. So, the lower must be machined out a little. At least that's what I heard.
Click to expand...

Common misconception.
SOME lowers are called "high shelf" (Colt's were notorious for this) which would reqire milling.
Most commercial sold semi lowers are low shelfs, which means a RDIAS can be used.
No milling required, just one hole that needs to be drilled.

For clarification, select fire lowers do have additional material removed to clear the auto sear.
Me with one of my Two full auto M4s:

Lastoftheday.jpg
 
Last edited:
Rastoff said:
A side note, hopefully not too far off topic...

Recently I was qualifying with the M16 for the Air Force. The guns we had a the school were so old they actually had the word Auto scratched out and the word Burst inscribed next to it.
Click to expand...

Did they have the three prong flash hider and triangular handguards too?:D
 
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