The AR-5 was an American bolt-action rifle that was produced by ArmaLite.
History[]
The AR-5 was designed in 1955 by Eugene Stoner and George Sullivan. It was developed for a commission by the US Air Force for a compact carbine intended as a back-up weapon for aircrew. A prototype was evaluated by the USAF at Stead Air Force Base in late 1955 and recommendations for improvements were made; these suggestions were incorporated in the final production model and the gun was officially adopted by the USAF in 1957 as the MA-1.
Despite its adoption, however, the AR-5 saw few orders, as the Air Force already had quantities of M4 and M6 survival rifles in its inventory. This was a financial setback for ArmaLite, who attempted to recuperate their losses by producing a self-loading version of the AR-5, known as the AR-7, for the civilian market in 1959.
Design[]
The AR-5 was a basic bolt-action carbine chambered for the .22 Hornet cartridge. It fed from a 4-round detachable magazine and featured a hollowed-out fiberglass buttstock; the receiver and barrel could be stowed into the stock when disassembled. The gun was so light that it would float when dropped in water. The AR-5 had an effective range of about 100 meters.