Manual
CHAPTER I
Section I
l-1.
GENERAL.
1-2. SCOPE. This manual is published for the information and guidance of personnel respon-
sible for operation and organizational maintenance of the Rifle, 5.56 MM, AR-l& Information
provided includes : tabulated data, accessories and special tools, preparation for use, operating
instructions, preventive maintenance and lubrication procedures, inspection, trouble-shooting,
repair parts, procedures on disassembly, cleaning, repair, assembly and ammunition.
l-3. DESCRIPTION AND DATA.
Section 2
l-4. DESCRIPTION. The AR-18 rifle, (Figure l-l), is light-weight, air-cooled, gas-operat-
ed, magazine-fed, shoulder or hip fired, and designed for either full automatic or semi-auto-
matic fire. The rifle utilizes a 20-round magazine.
l-5. The manufacturer’s name, serial number and caliber is stamped on the left side of the
upper receiver.
l-6. The barrel is air-cooled and is provided with a flash suppressor and recoil compensator,
which serves as a grenade launcher and front support for the bayonet. The barrel is surrounded
by a heat resisting fiberglass material, which seri’es as a hand guard and forearm. The hand
guard has a heat resisting metal inner shield. The front sight is adjustable for elevation and the
rear sight for windage.
l-7.
The rifle has a folding buttstock. (Figure l-2). The buttstock is made of a durable, syn-
thetic material of high impact strength unaffected by exposure.
l-8. The rifle is readily opened by pressing the guide spring plate forward, providing ready
access for removal of the bolt carrier assembly and upper hand guard. Also accessibility to all
other working parts for convenient cleaning and inspection. If ever required, the manual charg-
ing handle provides a means of forcing the bolt forward to full lock position.
1-9. The bolt incorporates seven locking lugs. Upon closing, the bolt rotates to engage Seven
silmilar locking lugs in the barrel extension. Thus, the full force of the explosion of the car-
tridge is absorbed by the barrel extension and bolt. No pressure is exerted upon the receiver.
The receiver is made of light-weight steel stampings. The design contributes to a high degree
of safety, durability and performance of the rifle. Portability and logistical value is greatly
increased due to resultant weight saving.
Section 3
l-10. TABULATED DATA.
l-11. Tabulated data pertaining to the general characteristics and performance are listed as
follows :
Weight
AR-18 Rifle without magazine and
sling................__~_____~_._____~._~______________________._..___~__~_______6.6
lb.
Sling Ml ____ . . . . .._______
___________.._._._._..___________________._~_.____~_____~~______________~________~______________
_.____ ___________
.4 lb.
Empty Aluminum magazine..___ .._. _________________ __.____ _____________.___________________________ ____ ______ ______ __
.2 lb.
Loaded Aluminum
magazine_._._._._...~_____________._.__.._____.._______._______._~______________~___~________~_~__________
.7 lb.
AR-18 Rifle with sling and loaded
magazine........_._...._..___~________~____~___________________~____~~_________7.4
lb.
Biped M-3 _ _.-----------______________
____________________________._..._________.____.__.__________________________~_______~_______~
______
.6 lb.
Biped Case ------------ _ ____._
_________________________________________.______________________~_____~_______~________
____ _ _______________
.2 lb.
Bayonet-Knife M7 ____________
______________________________.________._.___~~_____~~__________________________~_~__~
_____ _ __________
.6 lb.
Scabbard MU1 --______________
_______________________________..______~~_____~~_______________________________
______ _ ______ __ _____
.3 lb.
l-l