Abstract
Rifles of the AR-15 pattern have been issued by the U.S. Army since 1964 and have been standard issue since 1969. The AR-15 is undeniably American in design and inextricably associated with the armed services of that nation. It is one of the best-known military rifles in the world primarily for this reason. Less well known is the fact that it entered service with the British armed forces in the same year, and as a pattern remains in service to this day. Although best known for its issue to the famous SAS and SBS, it was not in fact adopted as a Special Operations Forces weapon. Rather, it was selected from the very beginning as a substitute standard rifle for issue to British infantry units deployed to Southeast Asia. This article details the history of the British military AR-15 with particular focus upon the initial requirement and the trials, procurement, and adoption of early Model 02 and (6)04 variants. It also outlines variants adopted subsequently and the set of unique identifying features that may be found on otherwise generic examples in UK service.
Get access.
Issue: Vol. XI No. 1
Published: 31 August, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52357/armax35519
Peer-reviewed?: Yes
Keywords: AR-15, M16, Colt, United Kingom, Borneo, Malaya
Bibliographic Information
Jonathan S. Ferguson, ‘The Colt Monitor Automatic Machine Rifle: Police & Criminal Use’, Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms, Vol. XI № 1 (2025), pp. 1–46, <https://doi.org/10.52357/armax35519>.
About the Author
Jonathan Ferguson is Keeper of Firearms & Artillery, based at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds. Jonathan has curated numerous displays including the RA exhibition Firefight: Second World War. He is also a Technical Specialist with Armament Research Services (ARES) and Associate Editor of Armax: The Journal of Contemporary Arms. His research interests include the use and effect of firearms and their depiction in popular culture. His publications include the book Mauser “Broomhandle” Pistol (2017), a contribution to The Right to Bear Arms: Historical Perspectives and the Debate on the Second Amendment (2018), and Thorneycroft to SA80: British Bullpup Firearms 1901–2020 (2020).