Common Myths & FAQs About The AR-15

The AR-15 is one of the most popular firearms bought, sold, and built by gun owners in the United States. Tens of millions of rifles, SBRs, and AR-type pistols are in circulation -- and it's because of its popularity that Eugene Stoner's invention has been riddled with plenty of myths and false.

AR-15 FAQs

Let's clear up some of the most common misconceptions, and answer some of the most common questions we get from customers, about this legendary rifle.

Is the AR-15 illegal?

No. The 1994 Assault Weapons Ban temporarily restricted AR-15s, but it expired ten years later. Congress found no significant crime data supporting the law, as firearm crime rates generally remained the same during the ban. Some states (like California) have placed restrictions on the AR-15 to make its semiautomatic, 30-round-magazine configuration illegal.

Can I order an AR-15 online?

Yes. You can order any firearm online through a licensed dealer. If you're building an AR-15, you can order individual AR parts online without a dealer (Federal Firearms Licensee, or "FFL"). You can even order an AR-15 build kit, which includes everything you need to assemble an AR-type rifle or pistol, minus the stripped lower receiver.

The only part of the rifle that's considered a firearm is the stripped lower receiver -- that's why you can't order a finished lower online without going through a dealer. To buy a stripped, serialized lower receiver, you need to go through an FFL.

You can also legally buy and fabricate your own stripped lower receiver using an 80% lower. Buying and fabricating an 80% lower does not require an FFL under federal law. State laws may vary. Check our "Shipping Restrictions" to see which states have banned 80% lowers.

What is an 80% lower?

An 80 percent lower an unfinished lower receiver designed for the AR-15. You can fabricate a stripped lower receiver using an 80% lower by cutting and drilling it yourself. Until you've started fabrication, the 80% lower is not legally considered a firearm by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) nor federal law.

Using an 80% lower is an alternative to buying a stripped lower and paying the extra fees associated with buying a firearm through an FFL. Again, some states have banned these unfinished receivers. Check here to see which states have done so.

Read the full guide on 80% lowers here.

Is an AR-15 build kit considered a firearm?

No. Because an AR-15 build kit doesn't include a stripped lower receiver, it cannot be made into a functional firearm. None of the components of the AR-15, other than the stripped lower receiver, are considered firearms. That means those parts -- like the barrel, upper receiver, trigger components, stock, and all other parts -- can be bought and sold like any other consumer product.

Is the AR-15 an "assault rifle"?

No. An assault rifle is a fully automatic rifle (machine gun) intended for military and police issue. The AR-15 is a semiautomatic rifle. No matter how many politicians and news organizations claim otherwise, the AR-15 and all other semiautomatic firearms are not assault weapons by function nor legal definition.

Can the AR-15 be made fully automatic?

No. The AR-15's lower receiver is manufactured in such a way that an M16 or M4 (full-auto) parts kit, which is required for full-auto fire, cannot be installed without extensive modification. Making such modifications is illegal. Federal law prohibits the sale of machine guns to the general public, too. You need a special license to possess or make a machine gun.

What's the minimum legal barrel length for an AR-15?

Any rifle equipped with a buttstock must have a barrel measuring no less than 16" in length. A firearm with no buttstock may be considered a pistol. Only pistols may legally have barrels measuring less than 16" in length.

Any rifle equipped with a stock and barrel less than 16" is considered a short-barreled rifle, or "SBR." Owning or building an SBR requires submitting a special form to the ATF. The agency first conducts an enhanced background check before approving your request to buy or build an SBR.

Here's how to legally convert an AR-type pistol into an SBR.

What's the minimum legal rifle length?

Any rifle must measure at least 26" in overall length. That means if equipped with a 16" barrel, the rest of your rifle must measure at least 10" in length. If your rifle is equipped with a stock and measures less than 26", it will be considered an SBR. The ATF covers barrel lengths and firearm lengths in the National Firearms Act Handbook.

What does the "AR" in AR-15 stand for?

"AR" does not stand for "assault rifle". It stands for "ArmaLite Rifle", named after the company that sponsored Eugene Stone, inventor of the AR-15 and M16.

What are the AR-15's available calibers?

There are over 50 calibers available for the AR-15 platform. The most common calibers are 5.56 NATO, .223 Remington, .308 Winchester, 9mm, .22 LR., .243 Winchester, 6.5 Grendel, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 300 Blackout.

Is the AR-15 a good hunting rifle?

Yes. Many hunters have traded traditional bolt guns for AR-15s. The plethora of calibers paired with semiautomatic fire, light weight, and high accuracy make the AR-15 the perfect hunting rifle. Chambered in 5.56/.223, the AR-15 can take smaller game like coyotes, hogs, goats, and small deer. Chambered in .308, the AR can take most North American big game.

What is the AR-15's effective range?

An AR-15 chambered in 5.56 or .223 and equipped with a 16" barrel has a maximum effective of 400 to 600 meters. AR-type rifles chambered in .308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor maintain accuracy at 800 meters and beyond. ARs chambered in 300 Blackout or pistol cartridges (like 9mm) are accurate to between 100 and 300 meters.