Two Classic Colt SP-1 model AR-15s

The AR-15 is a lightweight, air-cooled, magazine fed, autoloading, centerfire rifle. The original ArmaLite/Colt AR-15 was a selective-fire prototype submitted for consideration as a military infantry rifle, and is distinguished from later civilian-model AR-15 and AR-15A2 rifles marketed by Colt Firearms.

Rem caliber 1972 production rifle with 20” lightweight barrel 1 in 12 twist, A-1 Birdcage flash suppressor, twenty round mag & A1 front & rear sights and original four power optical scope

This is a modern bayonet, but it's the same size as the older styles

The AR-15 is based on the 7.62 mm AR-10, designed by Eugene Stoner of the Fairchild ArmaLite corporation

The top and bottom of these two rifles. Different stocks (obviously) but the forends are different styles too. The shorter 'carbine' model has round grips

ArmaLite sold its rights to the AR-10 and AR-15 to Colt in 1959. Colt marketed the AR-15 rifle to various military services around the world, (U.S. Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps).

The AR-15 was eventually adopted by the United States military under the designation M16.

These look great together, and would be fun to shoot. Very lightweight, great guns for hiking or hunting

Scope is easy to use, at the right height for most people, uses a one piece rubber cover to protect the lenses. The mount is designed to quickly attach and release

The original optical scope. It's compact, tough and still lets you use the iron sights while it's attached. It's still possible to use the carry handle too

The original pre-ban model early 1980’s vintage carbine with a modern Colt M-4

From six feet away, most people would think these are the same gun but the trained eye sees the various differences right away

The original AR-15 was a very lightweight weapon, weighing less than 6 pounds with empty magazine, though later heavy-barrel versions of the civilian AR-15 can weigh upwards of 8.5 lbs.

Only minor changes in the receiver over the 40 or so years of the AR platform

The stocks closed. the modern stocks have 4 or 6 positions to allow multiple adjustment. The Original had two positions, open and closed

The stocks opened. The classic carbine has a thick rubber extender on the stock. This was probably for people of the day who would have been used to much larger rifles