The AR platform is a classic. Now, there’s a new Anderson Manufacturing rifle on the market paying homage to its timeless design. The Anderson AM-15 Dissipator is a modern version of the original Vietnam-era gun and is designed to be used. If you’re looking for a classically designed gun that’s range ready, the Dissipator just might be the gun for you.
According to Anderson Manufacturing, the inspiration behind the AM-15 Dissipator came from the 1960s-era Vietnam War rifle, which was introduced to fulfill the need for a lighter, more compact weapon system. The solution was relatively simplistic in nature, requiring four inches taken off the barrel to bring it down to a 16-inch carbine length. That change gave soldiers the clearance needed for effective CQB (close-quarter battles) without sacrificing sight radius, felt recoil, or reliability.
Features
This model is equipped with a 16-inch government profile, front sight based (FSB) Anderson Barrel. It’s chambered in 5.56 NATO, has a twist rate of 1 in 8, and has a classic A2 Flash Hider. The FSB is pinned and the sight is adjustable, also serving as the gas block for the rifle-length gas system. A triangular end-cap secures the 12-inch polymer, A2 Style handguard, and it’s secured by an A2 barrel nut. As for the barrel nut, it’s secured to an AM-15 upper receiver. An AM-15 Multi-Cal lower receiver is also used and both are forged from 7075 T6 Aluminum.
Included sights are a Magpul MBUS Rear Flip-Up Sight attached to a flat-top, 1913 Picatinny rail. Components include an Anderson M16 Profile Bolt Carrier Group (Carrier: 8620 Steel, Bolt: 9310 Steel) and Anderson’s Standard Charging Handle, an Anderson Premium Lower Parts Kit, and an A2 Rifle Buttstock. For portability, the buttstock has a rear sling attachment point and the FSB features a front sling attach point. This makes it possible to use a one or two-point sling.
The rifle ships with a 30-round ASC Magazine, Anderson Owner’s Manual, Anderson Chamber Flag, Rifle Cable Lock, and an Anderson decal.
Refreshing a Classic
Truman Brough, Anderson Manufacturing’s Product Engineer, said, “The A4 Dissipator gives a classic rifle a slight refresh, maintaining a true to original rifle gas system while adding a flat top receiver to mount modern optics. The rifle gas system on a 16-inch barrel offers an extremely smooth recoil impulse and long sight radius, while maintaining a short overall length. This rifle answers the question: ‘What would have happened if the original chopped m16 made it all the way to the A4 generation?’ ”
MSRP for the Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 Dissipator is listed at $599.99.
