The Colt AR-15 rifle has become one of the most popular, and copied, civilian firearms ever produced. The original Colt AR-15 semi-automatic rifle made specifically for the civilian market first appeared in 1963-1964, a few years prior to its select-fire counterpart, the M16, being issued to the U.S. military in any substantial numbers. During the 1960s, the AR-15 rifle, primarily made of aluminum and plastic, was unique and almost space-age in appearance, when compared to traditional rifles like its predecessor the M14, made of steel with a wood stock. The AR-15/M16 rifles became well known to many Americans because of their extensive use in the Vietnam war. Further attention to the weapon was due to much negative publicity owing to early problems with the rifle encountered in the tropical climate of Southeast Asia. During the 1960s, no one could have predicted that it would be the longest serving primary rifle of the U.S. military, currently in the form of the M4 carbine, or today's ever-increasing popularity with civilian enthusiasts.
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