[cashflyer]

Oh, boy... guns again!!

Eugene Stoner invented the design and developed it while working for Armalite. Originally designed as the AR-10 in .308 (7.62x51), later redesigned as the AR-15 in .223 (5.56x45). IIRC, Colt was the only licensee of Armalite. All the clones that are out now are as a result of the original patent expiration.

I have owned the Colt A-1 version and the Bushmaster A-2 version. I loved the Colt. The BM was troublesome. I was told that it just needed to be "broken in." I will admit, the Colt was well worn and the BM was new.

In the past, I have read great reviews about the Olympic Arms versions. No personal experience with them, though.

Whichever you buy, stick with a forged receiver.


As for Eagle...
After the 1983 sale of Armalite to Elisco, the company went into decline and closed in 1987. Eagle Arms, a company started in 1986, bought the rights to the Armalite name in 1995 and reorganized as Armalite with Eagle as a division of the company.

EDIT: edited some nomenclature