Previous manufacturer of AR-15 style rifles and other firearms located in Costa Mesa, CA, approx. 1954-circa 1980s.
ARMALITE Models
.22 LR cal., 16 in. aluminum barrel with steel liner, aperture rear sight, takedown action and barrel store in hollow plastic stock in either brown (rare), black, or multi-color, gun will float, designed by Gene Stoner, mfg. 1959-73 by Armalite, 1973-90 by Charter Arms, 1990-97 by Survival Arms located in Cocoa, FL, and by AR-7 Industries, LLC, located in Meriden, CT, 1998-2004.
similar to AR-7 Explorer, only with custom walnut stock including cheekpiece, pistol grip. Mfg. 1964-70.
7.62 NATO cal., GIO, select-fire machine gun, originally designed by Eugene Stoner, 20.8 in. barrel, rotating bolt locks into barrel extension (not receiver), 20 shot detachable mag., hinged aluminum upper and lower receiver, non-detachable carry handle designed to protect top of receiver charge lever, approx. 7 1/2 lbs. Approx. 50 were mfg. circa 1957 by ArmaLite in California (aka Hollywood Model). Approx. 9,900 mfg. for military contracts under ArmaLite licensing agreement to Artillerie Inrichtingen, Holland. Mfg. 1957-1960.
.223 Rem. (prototype cals. were also mfg.), GIO, scaled down version of the AR-10, select-fire machine gun, 20 in. barrel, bolt locks into barrel extension, 20 shot detachable mag., hinged aluminum upper and lower receiver, charging handle on top of receiver (early ArmaLite mfg.) or pull handle in back of receiver (Colt mfg.), with or w/o forward bolt assist on military contracts, approx. 6 1/2 lbs. Less than 20,000 mfg. circa 1958-1963.
.223 Rem. cal., GPO, 18 1/4 in. barrel, folding stock. Manufactured by Armalite in Costa Mesa, CA, 1969-1972, Howa Machinery Ltd., Nagoya, Japan, 1972 and 1973, and by Sterling Armament Co. Ltd., Dagenham, Essex, England.
12 ga., 24 in. barrel, interchangeable choke tubes, recoil operated, high strength aluminum barrel and receiver, plastic stock and forearm, either gold anodized or black finish. Only 2,000 mfg. 1964-65.