Anderson AM-15 5.56 NATO
Model: B2-K869-A020
Anderson AM-15 5.56 NATO
Model: B2-K869-A020
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
Anderson Manufacturing is one of the largest forging operations in the AR-15 industry, supplying receivers to dozens of other brands. The AM-15 is their own complete rifle built on those same forged 7075-T6 aluminum receivers. The 16-inch 4150 chrome-moly vanadium barrel gets a nitride finish, and the M-LOK handguard accepts accessories directly.
The rifle ships without sights, a red dot or iron sight purchase is required before shooting. At 112 oz, the AM-15 is the heaviest rifle in the budget AR group, outweighing the Del-Ton Sierra 316 by 13 oz and the S&W Sport II by nearly 9 oz. The 1:8 twist rate handles 55gr through 77gr ammunition, matching the S&W Sport III and Ruger AR-556. Anderson does not publish a bolt material specification, which is a transparency gap compared to PSA's documented Carpenter 158 or Ruger's 9310 alloy steel.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- Anderson forges its own 7075-T6 receivers in-house, the same forgings supplied to numerous other AR manufacturers, giving the AM-15 a proven receiver foundation
- The 4150 chrome-moly vanadium barrel is a slightly higher carbon specification than the 4140 steel used in the S&W Sport II and Sport III, which can translate to longer barrel life under sustained fire
- At 112 oz, the AM-15 is the heaviest budget AR by a wide margin, outweighing the Del-Ton Sierra 316 by 13 oz and the Ruger AR-556 by 8 oz
- Anderson does not publish a bolt material specification, making it impossible to verify the steel grade, unlike PSA (Carpenter 158), Ruger (9310), and Springfield (9310) which all document their bolt materials
Category Rankings
How the Anderson AM-15 5.56 NATO ranks among full-size 5.56 NATO rifles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are Anderson receivers really used by other AR brands?
Yes. Anderson Manufacturing operates one of the larger forging operations in the U.S. AR-15 industry and supplies stripped and finished receivers to many other companies. The forging process and 7075-T6 aluminum are identical whether the receiver ends up stamped with an Anderson logo or another brand. The differences between brands come down to final machining tolerances, finish quality, and assembly.
Why does the AM-15 weigh so much more than other budget ARs?
Anderson does not specify where the extra weight comes from, and the barrel length (16 inches) and receiver material (7075-T6 aluminum) are standard. Community speculation points to thicker barrel profiles and heavier handguard construction. The 112 oz weight is not inherently a problem for bench or home defense use, but it is noticeable when carrying the rifle for extended periods.
Should the unpublished bolt material be a concern?
It depends on your expectations. Anderson does not disclose the steel grade, which makes direct comparison to documented specs like PSA's Carpenter 158 impossible. Owner reports show reliable function through thousands of rounds, but buyers who prioritize documented specs may prefer the PSA PA-15 or Ruger AR-556 where the bolt material is published.