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ArmaliteAR-18

Assault Rifles · United States · 1963
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ArmaliteAR-18

Armalite AR-18
Armalite AR-18 Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
75
Accuracy
70
Effective Range
65
Controllability
80
Reliability
70
Ergonomics
60
Modularity
85
Weight
80
Versatility
75
Cost-Effectiveness
85
Origin United States
ManufacturerSterling Armaments Company
CategoryAssault Rifles
EraCold War
In service1963–1985
Operators8 countries
Quantity1,171
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
73
Assault Rifles MASS Rating
13/83
Cold War
78/279
All-Time
Assault Rifles · 10 axes scored
Firepower
75
Accuracy
70
Effective Range
65
Controllability
80
Reliability
70
Ergonomics
60
Modularity
85
Weight
80
Versatility
75
Cost-Effectiveness
85
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the assault rifles category.
01 / Overview
Armalite AR-18
Production
1963–1985
Quantity
1,171
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ASSAULT RIFLES · COLD WAR
13
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
73
assault rifles category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the assault rifles category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Production Year1969
  • DesignerArthur Miller, Eugene Stoner
  • Weight (Empty)3.04 kg
  • Weight (Loaded)3.26 kg
  • Currently In ServiceNo
  • Notable UsersLos Angeles Police Department SWAT, New Orleans Police Department, VAT 69 Commando, Lebanese Forces militia, Provisional Irish Republican Army, Official Irish Republican Army, Moro National Liberation Front, Alpha 66, Grupos de autodefensa comunitaria
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
▣Operation8MOD.8
◇Ballistics5MOD.5
  • Muzzle Velocity990 m/s
  • Muzzle Energy1,700
  • Effective Range (point)460 m
  • Effective Range (area)800 m
  • Maximum Range3,600 m
◆Barrel & Sights7MOD.7
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
  • Total Production1,171
  • Production Start1969
  • Production End1985
  • Variants5
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1963Production started
  3. 1985Production ended
63
years in service
22
years in production
1,171
units produced
5
countries operating
ⓘ 3 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
ARMALITE AR-18 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN0% win
Total Conflicts
2
Victories
0
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE7terms
A bayonet lug is a metal fitting on the barrel or muzzle of a firearm that provides a mounting point for a bayonet.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Integral bipod: a permanently attached, built‑in bipod that provides a two‑point support for a firearm, allowing it to be rested on a surface without separate accessories.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Assault Rifles entry →