The best firearms reference books:
https://www.headstamppublishing.comThe AR-16 was developed in the late 1950s as a less manufacturing intensive option to the AR-10. It began with the AR-12, which was a prototype intended to use a stamped receiver with the Stoner DI gas system. When Armalite sold the AR-15 patents to Colt, they had to revise that design, and it became the AR-14, with a Tokarev type short stroke gas piston and a stamped receiver. Two of these rifles were originally made, both chambered for .308 with folding stocks and mostly stamped parts. They were offered for sale, but there were no buyers - by the time the AR16 was ready most countries who needed a new rifle had already chosen the FAL, H&K G3, M14, or other option. Instead, when Stoner left Armalite, Arthur Miller scaled the AR-16 down to 5.56mm, where it became the AR-18.
Other relevant Armalite models:
AR10:
https://youtu.be/8FXt5md6jPkAR14:
https://youtu.be/XLdZuFo6HFoAR18:
https://youtu.be/sRYPM-sKW74Thanks to the Institute of Military Technology for allowing me to have access to these, the only two existing AR-16 examples film for you! Check them out at:
http://www.instmiltech.comhttp://www.patreon.com/ForgottenWeaponshttp://www.floatplane.com/channel/ForgottenWeaponsCool Forgotten Weapons merch!
http://shop.forgottenweapons.com