AR18
Summary
| Country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Assault rifle |
| Manufacturer | Armalite |
Technical specifications
| AR18 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 400 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 5.56 x 45 mm OTAN |
| Magazine | 30 rounds |
| Length | 965 mm (38.0 in) |
| Weight | 2.72 kg (6.0 lb) |
| Range | 450 m (1476 ft) |
Description
The ArmaLite AR-18 is a gas-operated rifle designed by Arthur Miller, Eugene Stoner, George Sullivan, and Charles Dorchester at ArmaLite in California, starting in 1963. It was developed as an alternative to the Colt AR-15, a variant of which had recently been selected by the U.S. military as the M16. This development followed ArmaLite's inability to profit from the AR-15's adoption after selling production rights to Colt. The AR-18 scaled down Eugene Stoner's final design for ArmaLite, the 7.62mm NATO AR-16, which utilized stamped steel construction and a short-stroke gas piston. Arthur Miller led the AR-18 project after Stoner departed from ArmaLite in 1961.
The AR-18 is chambered for 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition and features a short-stroke gas piston operating system located above the barrel. Its construction relies significantly on stamped steel components. The bolt carrier rides on two guide rods instead of contacting the receiver walls. It incorporates a reciprocating cocking handle directly linked to the bolt carrier. Unlike the AR-15, the recoil springs are housed within the receiver, enabling the use of a side-folding stock. The rifle uses a proprietary magazine design distinct from AR-15 magazines, though later steel magazines from Sterling could feed from an AR-15. Sights are similar to the AR-15 in configuration but are stampings, with a lower sight line. An integral dovetail mount is spot welded to the receiver for a proprietary telescopic sight. The design allows the rifle to pivot open for disassembly.
Several variants of the AR-18 were produced:
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The AR-18 is the selective-fire assault rifle version.
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The AR-180 is a semi-automatic version primarily produced for the civilian market.
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The AR-18S, a short-barrel carbine with a 10.1-inch barrel.
Sterling Armaments Company also produced the AR-180 SCS with a wooden thumbhole stock. A semi-automatic pistol variant, the AR-180SP, was prototyped by Sterling. A Light Support Weapon prototype, designated AR-18 LSW, was also developed.
Despite its technical merits, the AR-18 was never adopted as the standard service rifle of any nation. It was submitted for evaluation trials by various armed forces, including the United States in 1964 and 1969, and the United Kingdom in 1966. These trials noted issues such as sensitivity to ammunition variation and performance issues in environmental tests. American procurement officials showed limited interest in adopting another 5.56mm rifle. The AR-18 and AR-180 were sold in limited numbers to police and law enforcement organizations, as well as security forces and armies of nations like Botswana, Haiti, Malaysia, and Eswatini.
State users have included Botswana, Eswatini, Haiti, and Malaysia (specifically by the VAT 69 Commando Royal Malaysia Police). The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) SWAT in the United States used the AR-18, AR-18S, and AR-180, notably during the 1974 shootout with the Symbionese Liberation Army. Pahlavi Iran tested the AR-18. Non-state users include Alpha 66, Lebanese Forces militia, the Moro National Liberation Front, and the Provisional Irish Republican Army.