Colt 601: The AR-15 Becomes a Military Rifle

"It's 1958 so there's no email" "So he emails Colt..."

"I am against bolt closure devices for this gun." Army: "We forward insist."

Pretty amazing how the US military has been using AR-15 pattern rifles for 57 years, all because Curtis LeMay shot a watermelon.

You, a fool: Colt 601. Me, a man of culture: M six green

It boggles my mind, still, to think the AR platforms earliest iteration was in the late 50s. Truely space age stuff .

Sitting with my new baby girl in the hospital on Christmas Day Learning me some things about the Colt 601

The Air Force was still issuing some of the early 601 rifles when I was an USAF Security Policeman. I was issued one for a while. The green stock had been replaced by a black one but it was otherwise exactly the same down to the Armalite AR-15 marking on the side. This was back in the early 1980's.

There are some weird people who EAT watermelons instead of using them for target practice. Bizarre, I know.

Very interesting and the impression of Curtis LeMay was the best I have ever heard. It was also the only impression of Curtis LeMay I’ve ever heard.

I actually really like the original green furniture.

I'm currently writing my PhD on Curtis LeMay and very much appreciate this video. If Ian is reading this: I've noted your level of care, respect, and precision over the years and just want to register my thanks for your work. Cheers, Will McFadden University of Toronto, History

I love AR's with triangular handguards.

Pretty amazing that the AR-15 started out as a “temporary” gap filler while the military was “waiting for the impending wonder rifle” that never came.

In terms of why I watch your videos: 75% - backstory 25% - weapon itself Merry Christmas.

I was part of the SAWS (Small Arms Weapons System) test group at Ft Jackson SC in 1965., in the "Colt" Platoon. We had XM16E1's, Stoner 63's, a modified M14 and an issue M14 as the control. I qualified on the Stoner light machine gun before I ever held an M60. Gene Stoner was with us frequently. The Army didn't like the Stoner lmg because it shot like a lazer and had no "beaten" zone.

While in Vietnam, as a dog handler in the Air Force, I carried the CAR-15. It had a shortened barrel, collapsible stock and a rate of fire increase to 900 rpm. We used the 20 round mags, but never put more than 18 rounds to keep from wearing out the mag spring. We rigged makeshift slings so that we could carry it across our torso. No forward assist. Taught how to clear stoppages. The first time I saw a forward assist, I thought it to be pretty dumb. Circa 1967-68. Thanks for the history lesson, Ian. Merry Christmas.

Ian and Colt M16? Best Christmas gift ever!! Merry Christmas to all!

1) Your Curtis LeMay impression was spot on. 2) The lower receiver of my mixmaster beat to hell weapon in Army BCT was marked "XM16E1", which baffled me. I now know it was a priceless collector's piece!

I like the green furniture

I clearly remember the day we got the M-16. Up until that day we were carrying the M-14. This was on the DMZ in S Korea. They provided about 1-hour training and away we went. The rifle (M-16) was so light compared to our customary M-14s that full auto really took some range time to master. The tendency with the 16 on full auto was for the bbl to go to the right (I am a left-handed shooter) or the left (for righties.) And, at first, we did not have a clear understanding of the new maintenance requirements of the new rifle. After a couple months humpin' the 16 around and send several thousand rounds downrange, I began to like it, a lot. In fact, I now have 3 of them (AR-15 style) that I built to resemble the 16 as close as possible. (No - no full auto or 3 round burst. Semi-auto or safe only.) Still a fine firearm. Great for precision target shooting, 3 gun competition and home defense.