Ar 15 acronyms

A1
A2
A3

A4
ACOG
ACR
AD
AF
AFG
AOW
ARD
AWB
BAC
BBL
BC
B/C/CH
BCG
BDC
BFA
BHO
BIY
BL
BRASS

Of or referring to a characteristic of the M16A1 (for example, an A1 rear sight)

Of or referring to a characteristic of the M16A2 (for example, an A2 flash hider)
Of or referring to a characteristic of the M16A3, or (in civilian parlance) a flattop
receiver. Note that the M16A3 is essentially just a fullauto M16A2, but civilian
manufacturers began using the term A3 for flattop receivers before the military
adopted the M16A3.
Of or referring to a characteristic of the M16A4 (for example, a flattop A4 upper
receiver)
Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (Manufacturered by Trijicon and is issued to
US military)
Advanced Combat Rifle a late 1980's weapon development program intended to
replace the M16
Accidental Discharge (a nonnegligent unintentional discharge of a weapon that
could not have been reasonably forseen and prevented e.g. a caused by an
unexpected mechanical failure)
Air Force
Angled Foregrip (trademarked name for a unique MAGPUL foregrip)
Any Other Weapon (any weapon capable of discharging a shot that is not
otherwise categorized under the NFA)
AntiReflection Device (a device placed on the objective of an optic to reduce
reflections and glare)
Assault Weapons Ban
Bindon Aiming Concept (the idea behind Trijicon optics like the ACOG that are
designed to combine the rapid acquisition of unmagnified sights with the accuracy
of traditional magnified scopes. Requires the use of both eyes in the manner of
OEGs. website)
Barrel
Ballistic Coefficient (a measure of a bullet's ability to slip through the air
unhindered by drag higher values indicate more streamlined bullets)
Bolt, Carrier, Charging Handle (the assembly of parts that cycles rounds into the
chamber)
Bolt Carrier Group (the bolt, bolt carrier, gas key, cam pin, etc.)
Bullet Drop Compensator (a mechanism in a sight to compensate for a bullet's
trajectory drop at long distances)
Blank Firing Adapter
Bolt Hold Open (a mechanism that holds the bolt open when the magazine is
empty, allowing for faster reloads)
Build It Yourself
Bayonet Lug
BreatheRelaxAimSlackSqueeze (mnemonic for steps of accurate shooting there
are many variants of this including BreathRelaxAimSightSqueeze and Breath

Ar 15 acronyms

BRASSF
BRD
BSZ
BT
BUIS
BZO
C3
CAR
C.A.R.
CCH
CCO
CH
CH
CIII
CLP
CMP
COLL
CQB
CQ/T (also
CQT)
CTR
DC
DCH
DCM
DD
DEWAT

DI

BreatheRelaxAimStopSqueezeFollow Through (mnemonic for steps of accurate

shooting as taught by the USMC more detail here)
Black Rifle Disease (a mysterious ailment in which the sufferer develops an
insatiable desire for more and more AR15s)
Battle Sight Zero
Boat Tail (a bullet that tapers at the back like the tail of a boat rather than cuts off
at a right angle see the Ammo Oracle)
Backup Iron Sight
Battle Sight Zero
Class 3 (a class of restricted weapons as defined by the NFA, including machine
guns, suppressors, shortbarreled rifles, shortbarreled shotguns, etc.)
Carbine
Colt Automatic Rifle
Cut Carry Handle (a carry handle cut down to form a BUIS)
Close Combat Optic (an optic designed for close range use, typically low power,
parallax free and with long eye relief. The Aimpoint M68 is an example.)
Carry Handle
Charging Handle
Class 3 (a class of restricted weapons as defined by the NFA, including machine
guns, suppressors, shortbarreled rifles, shortbarreled shotguns, etc.)
Cleaner, Lubricant, Protectant (allpurpose gun maintenance product example one,
example two, example three)
Civilian Marksmanship Program (website)
Collapsible (as in a collapsible stock)
Close Quarters Battle
Close Quarters / Tactical (a 13x optic made by Leupold and designed for close
quarters battle with some midrange capability as well)
Compact/Type Restricted (an adjustable carbine stock made by Magpul, with a
friction lock feature)
Dust Cover
Detachable Carry Handle
Director of Civilian Marksmanship (replaced by the CMP)
Destructive Device (an explosive, incendiary, or poison gas device as defined by
the NFA)
Deactivated War Trophy (a machine gun whose barrel has been plugged and
welded to the receiver and whose chamber has been welded shut, rendering it
unserviceable but still subject to the regulations of the NFA)
Direct Impingement (firearm operating system where the action is cycled directly
by the cartridge gasses. Most famously used in the AR15 and M16 series of rifles.
More information here and here.)

Ar 15 acronyms

DIAS
DIY
DOD
EBR
FA
FA
FAR
FCG
FDE
FF
FFL
FH
FIRSH
FMJ
FMJBT
FP
FS
FSB
FSP
FST
FTE
FTEj
FTEx
FTF
FTF
FUBAR
GCA

DropIn Auto Sear (a device used to convert a semiautomatic gun to fullauto. By

itself considered to be a machine gun under the NFA, and unregistered ones are
illegal to even possess with, let alone install in, the guns they convert)
Do It Yourself
Department Of Defense
Evil Black Rifle (a twist on the gungrabbers' propaganda, embraced by supporters
of the RKBA to both endearingly and sarcastically refer to militarystyle rifles such
as the AR15)
Forward Assist
Full Auto
Featherweight Assault Rifle
Fire Control Group (the hammer, trigger, disconnector, springs and selector)
Flat Dark Earth (a tanbrown color making inroads as a replacement for black in
weapon coloring)
Free Float/Floated/Floating
Federal Firearms License/Licensee (a license that permits one to sell & transfer
guns in interstate commerce, or the holder of that license)
Flash Hider
Free Floating Integral Rail System Handguard (see Olympic Arm's website)
Full Metal Jacket (a bullet that is fully encased in a metal jacket see the Ammo
Oracle)
Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail (a FMJ BT bullet see the Ammo Oracle)
Firing Pin
Flash Suppressor
Front Sight Base
Front Sight Post
Front Sight Tower
Fail To Eject/Extract (please substitute the more precise FTEj or FTEx as
appropriate to make clear your intention)
Fail To Eject
Fail To Extract
Fail To Feed (if used without an unambiguous context, this acronym may be
confused with "Fail To Fire" as listed below)
Fail To Fire (if used without an unambiguous context, this acronym may be
confused with "Fail To Feed" as listed above)
Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition (substitute more colorful adjective for
"Fouled" as desired)
Gun Control Act of 1968 (The law that, among other things, established the FFL
license system, set a minimum age to purchase guns, and banned the import of
"nonsporting" guns, eventually including militarystyle guns)

Ar 15 acronyms

HBAR
HG
HP
HSLD
HTS
IAD

IBZ
ID
ID
IPSC
JHP
JSP
KB
KBC
KISS
LC
LE
LEO
LEO
LL
LOP
LPK
LRC

Heavy Barrel
Handguard
Hollow Point (a bullet with a hollow cavity at the tip)
High Speed, Low Drag (of or relating to special forces and other highly skilled
operators)
Hammer, Trigger, Sear (parts of the FCG)
Immediate Action Drill (a sequence of actions performed in response to a situation
requiring immediate and instinctive resolution in this context a weapon
malfunction)
Improved Battlesight Zero (All purpose zero invented by Lt. Colonel Chuck
Santose. Set at 50 yards, it gives a very flat trajectory out to 250 meters.
Instructions here.)
Inside Diameter
Involuntary Discharge (an unintentional discharge of a weapon resulting from a
physical reaction beyond the shooter's instant control e.g. a muscle spasm)
International Practical Shooting Confederation (organizes and sponsors shooting
competitions emphasizing a combination of accuracy, power, and speed website)
Jacketed Hollow Point (a bullet that is jacketed in metal, but with a hollow cavity
at the tip see the Ammo Oracle)
Jacketed Soft Point (a bullet that is jacketed in metal, but with exposed lead at the
tip see the Ammo Oracle)
KaBoom (explosive failure of a firearm caused by problems such as outofbattery
firing, bore obstructions, etc.)
Keyboard Commando (a person who buys and opines on expensive tactical gear
but who has no actual combat or law enforcement training or experience)
Keep It Simple, Stupid (an admonition to avoid complexity with its attendant
expense and unreliability, also used as an adjective to describe something that
adheres to the KISS philosophy)
Lake City (a federally owned, contractor operated plant in Missouri where small
arms ammunition is made for the U.S. military)
Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement Officer
Law Enforcement Only (an item that can legally be used only by law enforcement
agencies and their personnel)
Lightning Link (a device for converting a semiautomatic gun to fullauto. By itself
considered to be a machine gun under the NFA, and unregistered ones are illegal to
even possess with, let alone install in, the guns they convert)
Length Of Pull (the distance from the face of the trigger to the end of the
buttstock)
Lower Parts Kit
Living Room Commando (a person who buys and opines on expensive tactical

Ar 15 acronyms

LULA
LW
M16
M16A1
M16A2
M16A3
M16A4
M193
M4
M4A1
M4GERY
M855
MARPAT
MARS
MIAD
MOA
MOUT
M&P
MP
MRE
MRE

gear but who has no actual combat or law enforcement training or experience)
Loader/Unloader Accessory (for fast loading and unloading of magazines
website)
Lightweight
The original fullauto military version of the AR15 rifle (includes triangular
crosssection handguards, early style rear sight that is not adjustable for range, and a
1:12 twist barrel: photos)
Later variant of the M16 that added a forward assist to jam the bolt home when the
normal action cycling doesn't: photos)
Later variant of the M16A1 that switched to a rangeadjustable rear sight, a 1:7
twist barrel, round crosssection handguards and substituted a threeround burst
firing mode for the fullauto mode: photos)
Later variant of the M16A2 that substitutes fullauto firing for the threeround burst
mode of the M16A2. Initially adopted by the Navy SEALS: photos)
Later variant of the M16A2 that added a flattop upper receiver with removable
carry handle but maintained the threeround burst firing mode: photos)
55 grain FMJBT military cartridge, usable in 1:14 to 1:7 twist barrels (see the
Ammo Oracle)
A 14.5" barrel carbine version of the M16A2. Earlier models have an integral A2
carry handle, later ones have a flattop upper (photos)
A variant of the M4 that includes fullauto fire and a flattop upper with removable
carry handle (photos)
A rifle designed to mimic the appearance and function of a true M4, but that isn't
an official military M4 (pronounced "em forgery")
62 grain FMJBT military cartridge, usable in 1:10 to 1:7 twist barrels (see the
Ammo Oracle)
MARine PATtern (a digital camouflage pattern. Examples here, controversy here
and here.)
Multipurpose Aiming Reflex Sight (an Israeli sight that combines a reflex reddot
sight with a laser (visible or IR) aiming light website)
MIssion ADaptable (a modular grip manufactured by Magpul website)
Minute Of Angle (a measure of angular displacement equal to 1/60 of one degree,
usually used when discussing group sizes 1 MOA is roughly 1" at 100 yds)
Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain
Military and Police (A trademark of Swith and Wesson for a line of pistols and
AR15 rifles)
Magnetic Particle [inspection/testing] Magnetic particle inspection is a
nondestructive steel inspection method used to ensure that a barrel, for example, is
free from metallurgical defects such as cracks.
More Real Estate (a rail adapter system that extends past the FSB, made by KAC)
Meal Ready to Eat. The food provision for the US Military.

Ar 15 acronyms

MRF
MRP
MSRP
MRS
MR/T (also
MRT)
MWS
ND
NFA
NICS
NM
NOD
NOS
NRA
NSN
NSW
NTCH
NVD
OAL
OBI
OD
OD
OEG
OICW

Modular Rail Forend (a rail adapter system made by Troy Industries)

Monolithic Rail Platform (an integrated AR15 upper receiver and rail adapter
system, made by LMT)
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
Modular Rail System (LeitnerWise's lightweight, quickchange barrel system
designed for use with standard AR15 lowers)
Mid Range / Tactical (a line of optics made by Leupold and designed for midrange
capability)
Modular Weapon System
Negligent Discharge (an unintentional discharge of a weapon that reasonably
should have been foreseen and prevented)
National Firearms Act (of 1934 the law governing machine guns, sawed off
shotguns, short barreled weapons, suppressors, etc.)
National Instant Criminal Background Check System (the system established as
part of the Brady Act to check for disqualifying information that would prevent
legal transfer of a firearm to a person)
National Match (a competition sponsored by the CMP)
Night Observation Device
New Old Stock (generally used in connection with an item that can no longer be
manufactured new, but that can be sold from existing stock: an item that is
chronologically old, but that has been sitting in storage and was never sold at retail
or used before)
National Rifle Association (website)
National Stock Number (a unique number assigned to each item in the Federal
Supply Cataloging System, including parts and accessories for military weapons
such as the M16)
Naval Special Warfare
Nose To Charging Handle (a cheek weld [placement of the side of one's face
against the stock] where the tip of the nose touches the charging handle, thus
giving a consistent position and sight picture)
Night Vision Device
Overall Length
Open Bolt Indicator a flag inserted into a firearm receiver to show that the bolt is
open (and thus in a safe condition)
Olive Drab (that green color the army is so fond of)
Outside Diameter
Occluded Eye Gunsight (a sight that projects a dot to the eye but through which
you can't actually see the target hence the term "occluded". It works via binocular
vision whereby one eye views the target directly, the other eye views the dot in the
sight, and your brain merges the two images together)
Objective Individual Combat Weapon (possible M16 replacement weapon system

Ar 15 acronyms

OTM
OPS
OTAL
PAFS
PD
PDW
PM
POA
POI
PRK
PRNJ
PRNY
PRS
PSD
Q3131A
QCB
QD
RAS
RDIAS
RECCE
RIS
RKBA
RLL
ROF
RR
SAAMI

that can fire both normal bullets and airburst fragmenting munitions. The XM8 is
based on the normal bullet firing component an early OICW entry. Overview)
Open Tip Match (a type of hollow point bullet designed for long range accuracy)
Operations (see also OPSINC just below)
Offset Tactical Aiming Laser (a laser sight mounted alongside the
barrel/handguards/carry handle)
Permanently Attached Flash Suppressor (generally permanently attached in order
to bring a barrel's overall length to 16" and thus avoid the legal restrictions on
SBRs)
Police Department
Personal Defense Weapon (a generally compact weapon designed primarily for
defensive rather than offensive operations, for example the FN P90)
Preventative Maintenance
Point Of Aim
Point Of Impact
People's Republic of Kalifornia (a name for California that alludes to the state's
rather draconian, some would say Communistlike, antigun laws)
People's Republic of New Jersey (see PRK)
People's Republic of New York (see PRK)
Precision Rifle/Sniper (a precision stock made by Magpul, adjustable for height
and LOP)
Personal Security Detail/Detachment (a group of security specialists who travel
with and provide personal protection for a highranking or valuable person)
M193 ammunition packaged for sale to civilians (may fail to meet some aspect of
military standard see the Ammo Oracle)
Quick Change Barrel
Quick Detach
Rail Adapter System
Registered DropIn Auto Sear (a DIAS legally registered under the NFA. By itself
considered to be a machine gun under the NFA)
Reconnaissance (in this context a 16" free floating match barrel upper, ACOG
optic, originally used by SEALS)
Rail Interface System
Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Registered Lightning Link (a LL legally registered under the NFA. By itself
considered to be a machine gun under the NFA)
Rate Of Fire
Registered Receiver (a receiver, typically for a machine gun, registered under the
NFA)
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (an association of

Ar 15 acronyms

SAMR
SAR
SAW
SBR
SCAR
SD
SDMR
SEBR
SF
SGN
SIR
SMG
SMK
SOCOM
SOPMOD
SOF
SOT
SP
SPC
SPORTS
SPR
SS
SUM
T

manufacturers of sporting firearms, ammunition, and components. Often used to

distinguish between the sporting .223 chamber [the SAAMI chamber] and the
military 5.56 mm chamber )
Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle (20" match barrel upper with Leupold scope,
used by the Marines more info)
Small Arms Review (website)
Squad Automatic Weapon
ShortBarreled Rifle (a rifle whose barrel is less than 16" long as defined by the
NFA)
Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (additional information here)
Shell Deflector
Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (20" match barrel upper with ACOG scope,
used by the Army more info)
Special Edition Black Rifle (a custom AR15 rifle sold as part of a group buy run
by AR15.com)
Special Forces
Shotgun News (a venerable gun sales publication made up entirely of display and
classified advertising, first published in 1946 website)
Selective Integrated Rail (see A.R.M.S. website)
Sub Machine Gun
Sierra Match King (a hollow tip bullet designed for long range accuracy, made by
Sierra Bullets website)
Special Operations Command
Special Operations Peculiar Modification
Special Operations Forces (in addition to its standard military usage, also a
designation for a now discontinued midlength AR15 carbine made by ArmaLite)
Special Occupational Taxpayer (a person whose occupation [e.g.
manufacturer/importer/dealer of NFA weapons] exempts him from paying NFA
transfer taxes)
Soft Point (a bullet whose lead tip is exposed rather than jacketed in a harder
metal)
Special Purpose Cartridge (as in the new 6.8 mm SPC)
Mnemonic for AR15 immediate action drill: Slap the bottom of the magazine. Pull
the charging handle. Observe the open chamber area. Release the charging handle.
Tap the forward assist. Shoot. Some people consider this to be remedial action
rather than immediate action. See also TRB and TPRRRS.
Special Purpose Rifle (18" free floating match barrel upper)
Stainless Steel
Stainless Ultra Match (Olympic Arms' name for their stainless steel barrel made
with broachcut rifling for accuracy website)
Top (as in the numbered stations on the top rail of an A4 upper)

Ar 15 acronyms

Tactical Carry Handle (a specialized carry handle made by RRA and designed to
mount Aimpoint red dot sights via Aimpoint's low ring website)
Technical Data Package (the collection of drawings, engineering notes, etc. that
TDP
describe in detail the design and construction of an item)
T&E
Test and Evaluation
TEOTWAWKI The End Of The World As We Know It
TM
Technical Manual
Tap, Pull, Rack, Roll, Release, Shoot (an alternative to the traditional SPORTS
TPRRRS
IAD, described here)
Tap Rack Bang (an immediate action drill: tap the bottom of the magazine to
TRB
ensure it is seated, rack the slide, and shoot [bang]. See also SPORTS and
TPRRRS)
Utility/Battle Rifle (a general purpose adjustable stock made by Magpul, with a
UBR
fixed cheekweld. Successor to the M93B.)
Unintentional Discharge (a weapon discharge made without deliberate or
UD
conscious intent, including accidental, involuntary and negligent discharges)
URX
Upper Receiver eXtension (a freefloating rail system made by Knight's Armament)
United States Government Issue (often in reference to magazines most regard
USGI
USGI mags as the best)
USMC
United States Marine Corps
VFG
Vertical Fore/Forward/Front Grip
WSSM
Winchester Super Short Magnum
Winchester White Box (In AR15 context, Q3131A ammunition made in Israel to
WWB
M193 specifications relatively inexpensive but reliable general purpose ammo)
eXchangeable Caliber Rifle* (Robinson Armament's modular battle rifle,
XCR
originally intended as a SCAR contender)
M193 ammunition packaged for sale to civilians (may fail to meet some aspect of
XM193
military standard see the Ammo Oracle)
Designation of a modular weapon system that may replace the M16 family of
XM8
rifles. Adoption of the XM8 is uncertain. (brochure, overview)
Zero (marked on some A2style rear sight elevation knobs to indicate the position
Z
at which the knob should be set when establishing a battlesight zero on a 25meter
range according to standard military doctrine)
TCH