It had a novel reloading system that functioned on the gun’s own hot gas, and a unique stock that kept the gun on target.
In 1959, the gun company Colt acquired manufacturing and sublicensing rights to Stoner’s AR-15 and his gas system.
It came equipped with a 20-round magazine, and in 1966, the military ordered more than 400,000 of the guns for its troops.
That didn’t stop Colt from marketing to hunters a semiautomatic version — the “Sporter” — that carried a five-round magazine.
The gun did not catch on, and the company produced only a few thousand a year.
Persons:
Stoner, “, Armalite, Stoner’s, Colt
Organizations:
Colt