The AR-15 / M16 Rifle History, Part I, Replacing the old.

In this first of a series on the AR-15 Rifle and .223 Remington/5.56 NATO cartridge, you will learn how and why the platform was developed, much earlier than many folks imagine.

[@snowyabba9271]

I am a M16A1 generation in 80s Army. Colt M16A1 was always awesome rifle to me. I thoroughly enjoy your the AR-15 series. Thanks.

[@767dag]

Me too , and I prefer the 20 in barrels

[@drewrichardson5433]

I literally sit at work and listen to your videos all day while I’m running my machine, you’re a class act and your content is awesome sir!

[@rustyshackelford3934]

You're one heck of a firearms historian. Hope you live to be 120. 👍

[@warrenwilliams4148]

What a dignified eloquent gentleman. Thank you for your service to our country. My respect!!

[@highplainsdrifter9631]

New England class at its finest 👌

[@Robert-xk5pm]

This guy here just makes me feel good when he talks. It helps that he talks guns. God bless you sir.

[@sidneywhite749]

Thank you your opinion is highly valued. Please keep making videos.

[@vladamirkb1]

Thank you for your time and knowledge Sir.

[@davidelizabeth4933]

Glad to hear you're enjoying summer. We weren't worried. We know you're in good hands. Fascinating history. Looking forward to learning more. Thank you for your service both then and now!

[@GunBlue490]

Thanks for watching David and Elizabeth! You are the best! God bless!

[@ppatpparis]

So glad that you are back!!! I also have an AR-15 A4 from Colt I love that rifle!!! God bless Pat

[@bumpposhepherd9458]

gunblue glad to see you, man whoo, whoo we're back in business!

[@TheEnufzed]

Welcome back! And hoped you have enjoyed your time out! Have missed your excellent, informative vids

[@acrscott]

You have so much knowledge that you are sharing with us. I thank you so very much that you're taking the time to pass this along. Thank you Scott

[@eliwagner4360]

Great to see you again ! Thank You for the family friendly channel.

[@padraic4594]

A very informative video. You always do a good job. Thank you for your service in Vietnam. I took BCT @ Fort Knox and AIT @ Fort Lee, VA in 1971, then 6 years in the NJ National Guard. They trained us for Vietnam at Knox, but we were never deployed. Just going through the training was enough to scare the crap out of you. I can only imagine how it was to actually be there. Thank you and all Vietnam Vets.

[@robertmattern2078]

Glad to see you back Captain. Before you know it deer season will be here. The leaves are starting to change colors here in the U.P. of Michigan. I love your videos. Maybe you could make some deer hunting videos this year.

[@Loonie1029]

Welcome back! Glad you enjoyed your Summer!

[@mojoman2001]

Comment for the channel. Thanks, again, for your videos, Blue.

[@Chayonray]

Fascinating history lesson sir. This was the first time I heard how much direct influence General Curtis LeMay had on the procurement of the AR15 as well as the Air Force Special Forces serving with the Army Advisors in South Vietnam before the beginning of the Vietnam conflict. Looking forward to learning more in the upcoming episodes sir!

[@Evan-lx9lw]

Thank you for the time you take to teach.

[@shadewoodhull2489]

YEESSS!!!! Gun blue is back and doing an AR video! Glad you're back sir.

[@ok-hz7ff]

Very interesting vid looking forward to part 2

[@williamgarcia2025]

Glad to see you back! Excellent video as always. Thank you Sir! 👍👍

[@patmancrowley8509]

I wasn't worried. I've been looking forward to this next video. Thank you so much. I just have to add that my brother got his training at "splinter city." He's your age so you probably were there at about the same time. Peace be with you.

[@echosreloadingchamber7306]

I've got you all beat Saint Petersburg Florida. Heat index today 107 degrees Fahrenheit I'm less than two blocks from the beach, and the marina. Offshore fishing on both coasts and down in the Keys and the Dry Tortugas down in the Bahamas. Unfortunately when I do go to the range outside I lose about a pound and water weight through sweat LOL. I may have some stuff you might be interested in. My father drove a very important General around in Southern California during the late fifties early sixties prior to going over as a loadmaster on a C-130 Hercules in Vietnam. My father was able to get some of Eugene Stoners Personal Diary, during the years of development of the AR-10 and the xm15, M16, M16 A1.

[@GunBlue490]

David Wright I would love to read that. Please drop me a personal message.

[@garagegunguy5089]

I built one of these for myself around the first of this year, just for semi nostalgia. Meaning I used magpul forends not triangle like we had on the A1's, a Hbar colt replacement barrel, and no fun switch, but it's a shooter. My eyes just won't let me shoot it to the potential I could at 19 years old.lolol awesome video

[@unclegeorge6175]

It is good to see you back Professor. To truly be living, you must learn something everyday and I learn a lot from you. Thanks for the history lesson.

[@ButchA61]

Glad to see the new video. I too was wondering where you were. Been to Lake Winnipesaukee, Squam Lake, etc... many many times when I was stationed in Boston during my USCG years. Born in Manchester, NH and lived in Candia, NH for a short while as a baby. Loved the winters in NH going skiing a lot too back in the day!

[@00SEMTX]

Glad to see you brother! Thank you as always for the wonderful video

[@meechg0stupid110]

Just got back home from Manchester New Hampshire . Wonderful state 👍🏾

[@reloadingwithjohnnyray-bac8775]

Nice work. Love your videos.

[@ibthumper2]

Welcome back. Missed you were.

[@FullArmorE6]

Welcome back Sir! This is one time I'm glad summer is over and we're back in school. You look like you're back to fighting weight! Thank you for your service and all you do for us. God Bless!

[@johnd4348]

Thank You Proffessor for that great lecture on the history of the AR 15.

[@michaelyoung3175]

You are truly a raconteur my friend,thank you so much from southern Missouri!

[@paulwilliamson2067]

I learned something. Thanks. Looking forward to the next installment.

[@TSPhotoAtlanta]

This fills in a good many blanks for me, thanks. It’s good to get such histories out and saved for the future. Each version I’ve read or heard or watched has a concentration on a few of the elements that were important through the stream of time. It’s very goid to have a framework that can be very specific yet also very general. And a record that sizwpes up some of the personalities and their important places in events. Thanks for the work!

[@uralbob1]

Glad to see your newest video. Thanks for the AR-15 /M-16 history lesson. I am looking for an AR-15 w/triangular fore end and original style (non-collapsing) butt stock. Don't need or want the 6-8 ft. of picatinney railing that you see now all the AR clones. The detachable handle would be a nice feature though. I just ordered an old 1965 Gun Digest from Amazon so that I can read the AR history you referred to. I owned a number of Gun Digests back in the 60's & 70's. Wish I still had them. Sincere thanks again for a terrific, video. You have taught us so much, and we are tremendously indebted to you! Your encyclopedic knowledge is a true gift to the shooting world.

[@abigailsaoirsefinnegan]

If you haven't gotten one already, check out Brownells.

[@frankwrogg2515]

Missed you

[@lindyl3929]

I was wondering what you where up to good to know your doing good and in good health and enjoying your summer god bless you sir looking forward to learning something new from you again!

[@jakeweston8616]

I love the AR15A4. I have one that I keep in the regular G.I. configuration and another one that I dressed up with an ACOG 4x32 and KAC M5 RAS.

[@SARoberts88]

Great to see you back at work. I always look forward to watching your tutorials over morning coffee.

[@scottwilson1258]

Thank You GunBlue490 I used a CMMG 3.5 lb.straight ,drop in Trigger on my rifle and boy is it Beautiful. less expensive than others.

[@my300zx96]

I was waiting for you to make this video thank you very much...cant wait for part 2 !!!

[@fabrielacevedo1603]

Great to see you on again hope your short summer was well enjoyed enjoy the tomatoes always a pleasure learning from you sir

[@bishop3670]

Glad to see you back!

[@TheNutriarat]

Glad to have you back. Thank you for your service and these great videos.

[@axe609]

Another great video. Hope your enjoying the summer and not getting too much rain.

[@56Spookdog]

Good to see you making videos again.

[@johnsnyder5470]

Glad you are back. Have missed your sage advice!

[@mkanone213]

Glad to have you back.

[@700Strat]

Yoo Hoo His BACK! Thanks again Caption. Glad to see you well.

[@blue-2366]

Glad to see your back. I enjoy all of your insight and information.

[@thecainer64]

Gunblue, I was going to say that because of us being at camp and limted cell reception, I was thinking Id have to go home and catch up on all your video's from all summer. I didn't want to miss any of your video's, as they are so amazingly informative. I enjoy the indepth and unique insights that you offer. So im glad I didn't miss anything! Father I pray in the name of Jesus that You would continue to bless and protect Gunblue490 and his family. Help him and his family with their health also. In Jesus' name, Amen. God bless, Christopher B. Cain

[@thecainer64]

Glad your back, but I understand as I am in Maine trying to enjoy what little bit of summer we have left. God bless you from your friends at Alive Ministries, Alive Ministries USA. Praying for you and your family.

[@GunBlue490]

Thank you and God bless.

[@o2wow]

Thank you for your service.

[@Jaysol24]

Haven't even watched the video yet and know that it's excellent ...!

[@pseudopetrus]

Glad you are back!!!

[@tmapool]

I've missed you! Glad you're back!

[@brentvinson9198]

Glad that all is well with you. Another instructive video.

[@automat9226]

Thank you for all your videos. Although I disagree with your assessment of all communist weapons I greatly enjoy your perspective on the AR15 and this video convinced me to finally purchase a Colt AR15A4. It has since become one of my most trusted items in my collection and I'm glad to own one in these increasingly darker times. I hope you continue to make these videos for the community, we greatly appreciate it.

[@dutchjennings1705]

Thanks for the great vid. I learned a few new things and I've been a fan of the AR-15 for a long time now. Can't wait for the next installment on the AR-15!

[@paulsimmons5726]

Was wondering a bit, glad to hear you were enjoying your summer. As always, your video was filled full of great details and information. Thanks for your efforts!

[@livincincy4498]

Glad to see you back. Do Cat & Garden 15 second videos during your off season to keep us posted.

[@slightenigma]

Thank you for the video. It is great to see you are doing well.

[@babaybluegill3273]

glad to see you back sir!! glad you're having fun! a fishing video would be heavenly

[@cb7677]

Thanks for the video. I always look forward to your content, especially on this family of rifles. The info you provide is much appreciated, have a great fall GunBlue!

[@jeffbenson6102]

I've missed you, but I wasn't worried. Thanks for all the good info.

[@TheOperator150]

The man is back!

[@Wedgetail96]

Great to see you back. My wife actually asked me the other day why I hadn't talked about W latest video. Would love to have the opportunity to write to you, as I am in a similar role (in Australia) as I believe you were prior to retirement. All the best and God bless. Shane

[@StonyRC]

HANG ON - Was this scripted, or did you just stand in front of a camera and give one of the most interesting firearms history lectures that i've ever been privileged to see? Man, I could listen to you for DAYS!

[@GunBlue490]

I don't use a script. You hear it as I recall it.

[@TheMeltone1]

Thank you! Great lecture.

[@thormusique]

Thank you for this; it's really a fascinating history! Glad to see you're back and well. I'm a Vermonter, so I sympathize regarding Summer Activity Cramming Syndrome. :-)

[@snakebyte7271]

Great history lesson thank you sir.

[@gregreeser8823]

Thank You in advance for this series of videos.

[@thesanfordmethod1905]

Awesome series, but I can't find part 3?

[@geoffpickford1829]

Hi Gunblue, I did wonder where you had hibernated! I also have a short summer season, the Red Grouse season has just started but it won't last for long then the game game season proper starts. Numerous groups on Facebook have been asking for advice on this and that and I have directed several of them to your channel which I think is brilliant with no BS! Great to see you again and thank you for your time and effort. ATB from the Staffordshire Moorlands here in the UK.

[@GunBlue490]

Geoff Pickford Thanks for passing me along! I appreciate your support! Hope your hunts are fun, safe, and successful. God bless.

[@cdncampcook8680]

Thanks for the new videos! I always enjoy them.

[@mealston1725]

Indeed you have been missed and dearly. I pull up an easy chair with my glass of tea to unwind on your channel.

[@dowdawg]

Glad to have you back Gunblue !!! As always a very interesting video thanks for the history lesson!!! I have just entered the ar world not long ago by buying my first one. Its a great rifle, not my favorite but a great rifle indeed...

[@johnathenstommel6196]

Great video headed over to part2

[@GoldtopDude]

Great video s ! I have a Ar15A4 as well, great rifle. Thanks for all your efforts and knowledge

[@gunsguitarsandgambling3614]

Good to see you again.

[@patrickslevin6424]

Mike Walker was such a gifted gun manufacturer. He kept Remington selling guns for many years. I hate his trigger has been tied to him with the words "The Walker Trigger." He told, then showed Remington how to fix the problem with these triggers and they wouldn't do it until recently....after his death. He was cut from the same cloth as John Browning.

[@RickNethery]

Welcome Back Sir

[@mrbigsdaddy]

So glad to see you again

[@Howardtripper]

yes we hate to loose you

[@patmancrowley8509]

I was noticing in this video that the light on your head is causing an overexposure. You may want to kick your f/stop back just one step to reduce the oe. Best regards and looking forward to part 2. Peace be with you.

[@delbertsmith8120]

I remember the saying, you can tell it's Mattel, it's swell. I carried the early version.

[@GunBlue490]

That was actually one of the myths that was propagated and kept alive. Mattel had made a toy version of the rifle, and from that, rumors spread that Mattel actually made them, which contributed to much of the false propaganda. I could go on about the amount of ridiculous stories I heard about the rifle, both good and bad, none of which was first hand, of course.

[@larryedmiston5540]

My T.I. (USAF-1974) actually told us there was a Mattel logo inside the stock. Of course,we never disassembled them to see it.

[@delbertsmith8120]

Larry Edmiston Ours was pure sarcasm.

[@GeorgiaBoy1961]

GunBlue, perhaps you and your readers might wish to know about the Santose improved battlesight zero method and its successor, the revised improved battlesight zero (RIBZ) for use with iron sights. That is, if you and they don't already know about it. One of the drawbacks of the original sights on an AR15/M16 is that there is no provision for zeroing precisely to 100 yards, which is a distance commonly encountered on domestic rifle ranges. Developed by Lt. Col. Chuck Santose, U.S.M.C., and later improved by several others, the RIBZ system allows zeroing the rifle to 25, 50, 100 and 200 yards while still retaining the use of the 300-600/800 meter elevations on the elevation drum. The only additional thing one may need to purchase is a taller front sight post, otherwise any stock AR rear sight will work. Rather than try to outline the complete procedure here, interested readers can simply use a search engine and enter "RIBZ" and "Santose sighting system." It is a great system that incorporates many advantages into the existing AR sights, without any detriments or disadvantages. Best of all, it allows an excellent BSZ setting - such as the 35-36 yard near zero currently favored by the Marine Corps. This zero shoots extremely flat out to 300 meters.

[@jasonanders9331]

Another great video, thanks.

[@351WINCHESTER]

Good to see you back!

[@evilcowboy]

One of the best rifles ever engineered. After seeing many people pour mud and shit right onto the open dust cover right onto the bolt and then fire it with no problems kind of points to it being a really well made rifle.

[@Kfinnerty127]

Just found your site though Chris Parducci’s site (and history of the AR-15.) I am glad I found u! Subscribed and please keep up the good work!

[@phatforrest]

Love your videos, please keep them going!

[@michaeld5159]

Welcome back.

[@cesarc6757]

You mentioned that back then the military still used yards. I would like to hear you speak about the why, when and how they switch to the metric system. If you would, thank you.

[@Dr_Xyzt]

You know, it's almost a miracle the AR-15 was made. Since the M1A was a .308 platform and all of the tooling existed, we really could have ended up with some sort of lightened M1A shaped rifle chambered in .243 win shooting 55 grain.

[@Dr_Xyzt]

@P. Cameron Oh man, that would definitely be a sweet deal. You know, there's one gun that does come close. The Henry Long Ranger lever action in .243. I believe that if Dr. Emmet Brown were alive, that would be his rifle.

[@Dr_Xyzt]

The BLR is a very under-the-radar rifle, isn't it! Available in pretty much every caliber. The .243 is a unique cartridge. I can understand why the military never went to it though. Approximately 30% more energy, but stacks into the magazine taking as much vertical space as .308. The .243 was the first time I ever got to see vapor trails on a drizzly day.

[@Dr_Xyzt]

@P. Cameron The .243 came to be a desired round when I was in college. I was crunching numbers for the .460 S&W and found that a 16" barreled rifle can get 3000 foot pounds with 370 grain projectile. I thought, "Well what about a 100 grain sabot assembly with perhaps a 60 grain projectile?" The data gave me 3800 ft/sec. Well darn it, why don't I just go out, get a nice old .243, refinish it with 10 coats of Tung Oil, and call it a day!

[@Dr_Xyzt]

@P. Cameron I have no idea. I just found out that Mr. GunBlue did a video on .243, and his commentary matches our logic. When I was in College, I had friends that treated their firearms like they were in Call of Duty or some 80's movie. It was impossible to find a sensible shooter that properly used a 2-point sling. Some of them get over-complicated with the adjustable scopes too.

[@erikdale9145]

Great materials, new subscriber from MN we know short summers ya know ;-) but winter affords so much more sporting fun too

[@mattzurzola4664]

Great video learned a lot

[@jasonweishaupt1828]

I have a 14” RR SBR AR.