Colt 601: The AR-15 Becomes a Military Rifle
The Colt 601, the first production AR-15, evolved from the AR-10 and ArmaLite's trials. Its sale to Colt in 1959 for $75,000 paved the way for military adoption, initially by the Air Force after a key demonstration. Key differences from later M16 variants include green furniture, a smooth receiver, and the absence of a forward assist on early models.









