Engineers at ArmaLite, then a budding arms company, designed and created the AR-10 and AR-15 in the mid-1950s. They gave them the “AR” designation as shorthand for “ArmaLite Rifle,” with the numbers referring to the rifles’ models. In case you were wondering what AR stands for, now you know.

In 1959, the company sold the rights for both types to firearms industry veteran Colt’s Manufacturing Company. They decided to keep the AR-15 name, which has stuck all this time. Other companies can now legally produce similar rifles, which are collectively referred to as “AR-15 style rifles.” Meanwhile, ArmaLite retains the AR-10 trademark.

These rifles were initially used by American soldiers in the 1960s, to counter the AK-47s of the North Vietnamese military and the Viet Cong. Colt would later offer semiautomatic versions for civilian use, which proved controversial at first. People eventually recognized them for their power, versatility, and customizability. According to CNN, “The AR-15 is now the most popular sporting rifle in the US.”

We love to highlight our partners on the OTM Tactical blog. These featured manufacturers include (but are not limited to) Bartlein Barrels, Hornady Manufacturing, and Accuracy International. We especially describing them because they happen to be among the best and brightest manufacturers of rifle and rifle parts in the field.

With that said, we would like to take the opportunity to share something about ourselves. If you will excuse a momentary drop in our humility, there is plenty of information about OTM Tactical that some may find quite interesting. Here are some facts about who exactly we are and what exactly we do.

When you fire a rifle, the intense forces and gases propelling the bullet out of the barrel can also push the gun back into you and push the muzzle upward. This can result in injury, as well as a missed shot. Many gun owners accept these inadvertent motions as an inherent part of using guns. However, whether you are competing in target shooting or hunting for sport, you will want to do anything you can to reduce your chances of missing. Area 419’s most notable devices exist to resolve the issues of muzzle rise and recoil.

Learn more here!

A good chassis system can augment the power and precision of your rifle without being difficult to handle. A great one can do all that while also putting you on par with the kinds of rifles used by professional soldiers in militaries around the world. Accuracy International can give you that kind of power with their own system, simply named the Accuracy International Chassis System (AICS).

In Exodus 9:16, God tells Moses to give the Pharaoh on his behalf. Part of the message reads, “But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” No product can make any human being like God, of course. With that said, Exodus Rifles may be able to imbue you with some of the power of a world-renowned marksman. Here is some information on this rising star in gun manufacturing.

OTM Tactical partners with many different manufacturers to provide our customers with a massive inventory of guns and gun parts. However, we are not just a median point between them and you. We have plenty of in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of the products we retail, and that knowledge comes from experience. In addition to supplying products from dozens of other companies, we also create and vend our own custom rifles. Here is some information on these state-of-the-art machines, as well as how we apply our expertise to design something that any shooting enthusiast might want in their arsenal.

The gun is up there with the wheel and the alphabet as an invention that has had an incalculable impact on the world. We cannot imagine a world in which they never existed. However, there was a point in time when everything we take for granted now — basic mechanisms, triggers, even gunpowder — had not yet been created. Here is a condensed history of the firearm, with an emphasis on rifles and shotguns.

Experienced gun owners know that not all rifle stock systems are created equal. Simply picking one at random may leave you dissatisfied. You need to consider the materials it is made from, the weight of the gun, the length of pull, the other parts you will use, and many other factors.

OTM Tactical understands this, which is why we strive to only supply stock systems from manufacturers who understand this. KMW is one such company, and anyone seeking premium parts should consider their rifle stock systems and hardware.

Choosing a rifle chassis is an involved process with tons of variables to consider. How much weight can you handle, and how light is too light for you? Where will you be shooting and how hazardous will the environment be to the materials used in your rifle stock's construction? What length of pull do you need? What trigger, action, barrel, etc. are you going to use? Which accessories might you want to attach? The list goes on. And once you've gone through all that, and finally arrived at the ideal platform for your dream rifle, you might suddenly hit another wall: price!

Well, we have some good news: rifle chassis systems by XLR may solve all your problems at an affordable price. Read on to learn why we at OTM Tactical feel XLR is a groundbreaking addition to our selection of top-tier rifle upgrades.

Long-range precision shooters know the satisfaction in hitting a target, whether literally or figuratively. It goes without explanation of what a literal target is, but a figurative target is a goal for yourself: a goal to become a better marksman, make better and farther shots, defeat your competition, and overall raise yourself to an ever-increasing level of skill. At OTM Tactical, this is what we're all about.

In our mission to bring you the absolute best rifle parts and accessories, we're pleased to carry McMillan stocks at low prices. These are some of the best rifle stocks in the world and truly worthy of their stellar reputation.

The serious precision shooter is always on the lookout for an advantage. And that's not to say that equipment can make up for skill, but rather that you need to find equipment of sufficient quality that it doesn't get in the way of your skill — meaning, ideally, that your rifle won’t present any issues that hurt the accuracy you're actually capable of. 

Problems in construction, assembly, and materials of your firearm can all lead to wild or inconsistent shots, especially with repeated use and the cumulative stresses of recoil, and it's very hard to improve your marksmanship when your own equipment is sabotaging you. How can you get the most out of target practice if you don't know whether it's you messing up, or the gun?

Who Makes the Best Stocks and Chassis Systems?

Few things make as big of a difference in the overall feel of your rifle as its stock or chassis. Not only is the shape of paramount importance, the materials used in the manufacturing process are a huge factor in your rifle stock's overall durability, function, and weight. Your rifle stock or chassis can make or break your performance in a tactical or competitive field.