Is an AR-15 Military Grade?

Never has there ever been a weapon so impossibly popular and so impossibly misunderstood. The AR-15
is, without a doubt, America's Rifle. It's beloved and used by millions and millions of people. The weapon is often unjustly vilified by those who'd prefer we live as disarmed subjects rather than armed citizens. The gun is touted as a military weapon by those attempting to ban it, and the same is done by AR manufacturers to promote its worthiness. The thing is, they're often both wrong. The military has never used the AR-15, and for most civilian firearms owners owning an accurate military spec version is nigh impossible without deep pockets. You see, for an AR-15
to be military spec, it must have the ability to shoot fully-automatic, or have some form of burst feature. At this point, finding a real full-auto AR-15
design is quite complicated and incredibly expensive. On the marketing side, the term military-grade or military spec is tossed around to prove toughness and durability. It can be applied correctly, but no civilian AR-15
can be described as fully mil-spec.

FedArm Mil-Spec 7.62x39 AR-15

What Exactly is Military Grade?

Military-grade or military spec are both descriptors of a list of specifications the military has for any particular item. From radios to compasses, the term can be applied to any weapon, knife, tactical vest, or even canteen that fulfills a particular set of specs. With rifles, this spec includes the fit and function of the rifle, acceptable accuracy limits, the gun's finish, sights, trigger pull weight, and so on and so forth. When a company says they have a Mil-Spec bolt carrier group
, then they have built a BCG
within those military specs. The same set of terms can be applied to every part of an AR-15, from the barrel to the stock. However, an AR-15 without an automatic function is not technically military-grade.

AR-15/M16 Mil-Spec .223/5.56 Bolt Carrier Group

The Truth About Military Grade

Military-grade or Mil-Spec are both terms used a lot, and for a good reason. They inspire a level of confidence and the knowledge that the weapon or it's parts are built to an acceptable spec. While there is nothing wrong with military-grade gear or rifles, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best. Some AR-15s go well beyond military-grade, even being better than military-grade. They can be more accurate, easier to shoot, and even have reduced recoil, etc. I look at military-grade as a starting point to excellence and build from there. It should be the lowest level of acceptable in the AR-15 world.

Fold AR-15 .300 Blackout Pistol

Getting Your Rifle

The AR-15 is a fantastic rifle. The more you use one, the more you'll enjoy it, and the more you'll recognize the genius of the design. The weapon's popularity has driven the weapon forward in its design, beyond what Eugene Stoner ever dreamed and beyond the acceptable military specifications. Military-Grade rifles might be impossible to find, but most parts can be built to military-grade specifications, offering an acceptable level of quality, durability, and an affordable price point. Shop All AR-15 Style Rifles
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