Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the assault rifles category.
01 / Overview
Armalite AR-18
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1963–1985
Quantity
1,171
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ASSAULT RIFLES · COLD WAR
13
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ 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
- Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
- Calibre5.56 mm
- Case Length44.7 mm
- Calibre Classintermediate
- Bullet Weight4 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation8MOD.8
- Action TypeGas-Operated
- Fire Modessafe, semi-automatic, automatic
- Select FireYes
- Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
- Magazine Capacity20
- Cyclic Rate of Fire750
- Trigger Typesingle-stage
- Safety Typeselector lever
◇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
- Barrel Length464 mm
- Rifling Twist1:12
- Rifling Grooves6
- Sight TypeIron sights or removable 3× scope
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction6MOD.6
- Receiver Materialaluminum alloy
- Furniture Materialplastic, wood (variants)
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularitylimited
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
- Total Production1,171
- Production Start1969
- Production End1985
- Variants5
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1963Production started
- 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
Operator Countries8country
06 / MASS Score
ASSAULT RIFLES RANKING Assault Rifles · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
78ASSAULT RIFLES13COLD WAR · ASSAULT RIFLES630UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS29PERFORMANCE/PRICE · ASSAULT RIFLES
ⓘ Rankings are within theAssault Riflescategory.
📖 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