The master copy of this list is kept at the ar15.com library here.




ARFCOM 101 Thread
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This replaces the old thread.  As always, contributions and corrections are welcome.
For a broader list of DOD acronyms, abbreviations and terms, see this.
For acronyms and abbreviations in general, see this or this.
Here is the list of acronyms and abbreviations specific to AR-15s and ar15.com:
@ - When prefixed to a member's name, means that the following comment is directed "at" or to that member.
.
- Used to add a post without typing anything, means "I agree" or "+1 to
my post count" or the same thing as BTT. Also sometimes left behind as
a placeholder when someone deletes the content from a post or as a
quick post to tag a thread.
+1 - When used with a quotation, means "Ditto" or "I agree". When used in the EE feedback forum,
means a good experience with either a buyer or seller. When just posted
with no reference, it means "I agree with the OP" or "+1 to my post
count, I have no new comment" or the same thing as BTT...
-1 - When used in the EE feedback forum means a bad experience with either a buyer or seller.
87
- A nonsensical answer to nonsensical numerical questions. For example,
someone might ask "How many magazines should I buy?" There is no
meaningful answer to this question because it varies according to each
persons' unique circumstances, so the canned answer becomes "87".
Originated by markm,
it has since taken on a life of its own and is used by others who think
it makes a funny in-joke. The number 87 is also associated with several other meanings in general usage.
88
- Short hand for a neo-Nazi or, more loosely, any white supremacist.
Derived from "H" being the 8'th letter in the alphabet, and HH being an
abbreviation for "Heil Hitler". The number 88 is also associated with several other meanings in general usage.
A1 - Of or referring to a characteristic of the M16A1 (for example, an A1 rear sight)
A2 - Of or referring to a characteristic of the M16A2 (for example, an A2 flash hider)
A3
- Of or referring to a characteristic of the M16A3, or (in civilian
parlance) a flat-top receiver. Note that the M16A3 is essentially just
a full-auto M16A2, but civilian manufacturers began using the term A3
for flat-top receivers before the military adopted the M16A3 and M16A4,
so there is divergence between military and civilian usage of the term
"A3". Without a definitive military context, it is most likely that
"A3" refers to a flat-top, civilian upper receiver. Note also that some
civilian manufacturers call their flat-tops A3, others A4.
A4 - Of or referring to a characteristic of the M16A4 (for example, a flat-top A4 upper receiver)
ABC - Armalite, Bushmaster and Colt (considered by many to be the top three manufacturers of AR-15s)
ABCR
- Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt and Rock River Arms (a variant of ABC used
by those who also consider Rock River Arms to be a top-tier
manufacturer)
ACOG - Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (see Trijicon's website)
ACR - Advanced Combat Rifle (a late 1980's weapon development program intended to replace the M16 - more detail here)
AD
- Accidental Discharge (a non-negligent unintentional discharge of a
weapon that could not have been reasonably forseen and prevented - e.g.
a caused by an unexpected mechanical failure)
ADCO - Not an acronym, just a name (retailer of AR-15s and accessories, provider of AR-15 gunsmithing services - website)
AF - Air Force
AFAIK - As Far As I Know




AFT - Angled Foregrip (trademarked name for a unique MAGPUL foregrip)
AGNTSA - Aww Geez Not This Stuff Again (substitute more colorful noun for "Stuff" as desired)
AJNTSA - Aww Jeez Not This Stuff Again (substitute more colorful noun for "Stuff" as desired)
AOW - Any Other Weapon (any weapon capable of discharging a shot that is not otherwise categorized under the NFA)
AR - ArmaLite (see explanation here)
ARD - Anti-Reflection Device (a device placed on the objective of an optic to reduce reflections and glare)
ARF - AR15.COM (this site)
ARFCOM - AR15.COM (this site)
ARFCOMMER - One who is a member of this site
A.R.M.S. - Atlantic Research Marketing Systems (manufacturer of rail mounts, systems and accessories - website)
ASA - American Spirit Arms (manufacturer of AR-15 rifles, rifle kits, parts and accessories - website)
ASAR - Abrams Small Arms Research (website)
ATN - American Technologies Network (manufacturer and distributor of weapon optics and night vision equipment - website)
AWB - Assault Weapons Ban
AWOB
- Another Waste Of Bandwidth (derogatory comment made by someone who
wishes to point out what they consider to be a pointless thread/post.)
BAC
- Bindon Aiming Concept (the idea behind Trijicon optics like the ACOG
that are designed to combine the rapid acquisition of unmagnified
sights with the accuracy of traditional magnified scopes. Requires the
use of both eyes in the manner of OEGs. website)
BAR - Beyond All Repair
BAR - Browning Automatic Rifle
BBL - Barrel
BC
- Ballistic Coefficient (a measure of a bullet's ability to slip
through the air unhindered by drag - higher values indicate more
streamlined bullets)
B/C/CH - Bolt, Carrier, Charging Handle (the assembly of parts that cycles rounds into the chamber)
BCG - Bolt Carrier Group (the bolt, bolt carrier, gas key, cam pin, etc.)
BDC - Bullet Drop Compensator (a mechanism in a sight to compensate for a bullet's trajectory drop at long distances)
BDU - Battle Dress Uniform
BFA - Blank Firing Adapter
BFD - Big Freakin' Deal (substitute for "Freakin'" as desired)
BFI - Bushmaster Firearms, Inc. (manufacturer of many AR-style rifles - website)






BFL - Bolt Face Logo - A stylized AR-15 bolt face that serves as AR15.com's trademarked logo:  


BG - Bad Guy (the only kind of person who should ever be at the other end of your AR-15)
BG - Battlegrip (enhanced handgrip made by TangoDown - website)
BH - Black Hills (manufacturer of a variety of new, remanufactured and special purpose ammunition - website)
BHO - Bolt Hold Open (a mechanism that holds the bolt open when the magazine is empty, allowing for faster reloads)
BIY - Build It Yourself
BL - Bayonet Lug
BM - Bushmaster (manufacturer of many AR-style rifles - website)
BOB
- Bug Out Bag (a bag filled with the necessities you will need to
survive in the event you are forced to flee your home on a moment's
notice)
BOHICA - Bend Over Here It Comes Again
BOTD
- Babe Of The Day (something now reserved for the Team Forum only)
posted as warning for any thread containing an image unsuitable for
viewing at work)
BRASS -
Breathe-Relax-Aim-Slack-Squeeze (mnemonic for steps of accurate
shooting - there are many variants of this including
Breath-Relax-Aim-Sight-Squeeze and Breath-Relax-Aim-Squeeze)
BRASSF - Breathe-Relax-Aim-Stop-Squeeze-Follow Through (mnemonic for steps of accurate shooting as taught by the USMC - more detail here)
BRD - Black Rifle Disease (a mysterious ailment in which the sufferer develops an insatiable desire for more and more AR-15s)
BSZ - Battle Sight Zero
BT - Boat Tail (a bullet that tapers at the back like the tail of a boat rather than cuts off at a right angle - see the Ammo Oracle)
BTT - Back To Top (adding a post to a thread to bring the thread back to the top of the list of active threads)
BTW - By The Way
BUIS - Backup Iron Sight
BZO - Battle Sight Zero
C3 - Class 3 (a class of restricted weapons as defined by the NFA, including machine guns, suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, etc.)
CAA - Command Arms Accessories (manufacturer of accessories and gear for various weapons - website)
CAR - Carbine
C.A.R. - Colt Automatic Rifle
CC - Concealed Carry
CCH - Cut Carry Handle (a carry handle cut down to form a BUIS)
CCL - Concealed Carry License
CCO
- Close Combat Optic (an optic designed for close range use, typically
low power, parallax free and with long eye relief. The Aimpoint M68 is
an example.)
CCP - Concealed Carry Permit
CCW - Concealed Carry Weapon
CH - Carry Handle
CH - Charging Handle




CHL - Concealed Handgun License
CIII - Class 3 (a class of restricted weapons as defined by the NFA, including machine guns, suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, etc.)
CLE - Compass Lake Engineering (manufacturer of competition service rifles and space guns - website)
CLIN - Contract Line Item Number
CLP - Cleaner, Lubricant, Protectant (all-purpose gun maintenance product - example one, example two, example three)
CMP -  Civilian Marksmanship Program (website)
CMMG - Not an acronym, just a name (retailer of AR-15s, parts and accessories - website)
CMT - Continental Machine and Tool (contract manufacturer of AR15 uppers and lowers)
COC - Code Of Conduct (the rules governing your use of this site)
COLL - Collapsible (as in a collapsible stock)
CONUS - Continental United States (the lower 48 states and the District of Columbia, not including Alaska or Hawaii)
CQB - Close Quarters Battle
CQ/T (also CQT) - Close Quarters / Tactical (a 1-3x optic made by Leupold and designed for close quarters battle with some mid-range capability as well)
C&R - Curios and Relics (firearms that are officially recognized as collectible due to some unique quality such as age.  The ATF maintains a list
of qualified C&R firearms that C&R license holders can purchase
via interstate commerce without the services of an FFL dealer. More information)
CTR - Compact/Type Restricted (an adjustable carbine stock made by Magpul, with a friction lock feature)
CYA - Cover Your Ass
DC - Dust Cover
DCH - Detachable Carry Handle
DCM - Director of Civilian Marksmanship (replaced by the CMP)
DD - Daniel Defense (manufacturer of free floating railed handguards, slings and accessories - website)
DD - Destructive Device (an explosive, incendiary, or poison gas device as defined by the NFA)
DEWAT
- De-activated War Trophy (a machine gun whose barrel has been plugged
and welded to the receiver and whose chamber has been welded shut,
rendering it unserviceable but still subject to the regulations of the NFA)
DI
- Direct Impingement (firearm operating system where the action is
cycled directly by the cartridge gasses. Most famously used in the AR15
and M16 series of rifles. More information here and here.)
DIAS
- Drop-In Auto Sear (a device used to convert a semi-automatic gun to
full-auto. By itself considered to be a machine gun under the NFA, and unregistered ones are illegal to even possess with, let alone install in, the guns they convert)
DILLIGAF - Do I Look Like I Give A F**k
DIY - Do It Yourself
DOD - Department Of Defense
DPMS -  Defense Procurement Manufacturing Services (builder of AR-15 rifles and supplier of parts and accessories - website)
DRMO - Defense Reutilization Marketing Office (an office of the DRMS - website)
DRMS
- Defense Reutilization Marketing Service (a government agency that
disposes of excess property received from the military services - website)
DSA - D.S. Arms (specializes in FAL rifles, but also sells AR-15 parts and accessories - website)
DU
- Democratic Underground (a site for the exchange of what are
considered liberal ideas - not friendly to your Second Amendment rights)
EA - Essential Arms (manufacturer of AR-15 lowers, stocks and parts - website)
EBR
- Evil Black Rifle (a twist on the gun-grabbers' propaganda, embraced
by supporters of the RKBA to both endearingly and sarcastically refer
to military-style rifles such as the AR-15)
EE - Equipment Exchange (a board on this site for buying, selling and trading equipment)
ETA - Edited To Add (an explanation of what was added or changed when a member edited his or her post)
ETA - Estimated Time of Arrival (in conventional usage, but see also "Edited To Add" above)
FA - Forward Assist
FA - Full Auto
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
FAR - Featherweight Assault Rifle
FCG -  Fire Control Group (the hammer, trigger, disconnector, springs and selector)
FDE - Flat Dark Earth (a tan-brown color making inroads as a replacement for black in weapon coloring)
FF - Free Float/Floated/Floating
FFL
- Federal Firearms License/Licensee (a license that permits one to sell
& transfer guns in interstate commerce, or the holder of that
license)
FH - Flash Hider
FIRSH - Free Floating Integral Rail System Handguard (see Olympic Arm's website)
FMJ - Full Metal Jacket (a bullet that is fully encased in a metal jacket - see the Ammo Oracle)
FMJBT - Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail (a FMJ BT bullet - see the Ammo Oracle)
FN - Fabrique Nationale (famous Belgian small arms manufacturer - FN Herstal website)
FNG - Freakin' New Guy (substitute for "Freakin" as desired)
FNMI
- FN Manufacturing, Inc. (Division of Fabrique Nationale located in
South Carolina that makes M16s, M240s and M249s for the military - website)
FOIA - Freedom Of Information Act
FP - Firing Pin
FS - Flash Suppressor
FSB - Front Sight Base
FSP - Front Sight Post
FST - Front Sight Tower
FTE - Fail To Eject/Extract (please substitute the more precise FTEj or FTEx as appropriate to make clear your intention)
FTEj - Fail To Eject
FTEx - Fail To Extract
FTF - Face To Face (an in state trade or sale done in person - interstate commerce of firearms is illegal without an FFL)
FTF - Fail To Feed (if used without an unambiguous context, this acronym may be confused with "Fail To Fire" as listed below)
FTF - Fail To Fire (if used without an unambiguous context, this acronym may be confused with "Fail To Feed" as listed above)
FUBAR - Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition (substitute more colorful adjective for "Fouled" as desired)
FWIW - For What It's Worth
FYI - For Your Information
GCA
- Gun Control Act of 1968 (The law that, among other things,
established the FFL license system, set a minimum age to purchase guns,
and banned the import of "non-sporting" guns, eventually including
military-style guns)
GG&G - Guns, Gear and Gadgets (manufacturer of optical mounting systems and tactical weapon accessories - website)
GP - Group Purchase
GSE - Gunsmoke Enterprises (builder of AR-15 rifles and supplier of parts and accessories - website)
GTS - Global Tactical Supply (retailer of AR-15 parts and accessories - website)
HBAR Heavy Barrel
HG - Handguard
HP - Hollow Point (a bullet with a hollow cavity at the tip)
HSLD - High Speed, Low Drag (of or relating to special forces and other highly skilled operators)
HTH - Hope That Helps
HTS - Hammer, Trigger, Sear (parts of the FCG)
IAD
- Immediate Action Drill (a sequence of actions performed in response
to a situation requiring immediate and instinctive resolution - in this
context a weapon malfunction)
IBTJBT - In Before The Jack Booted Thugs
IBTL - In Before The Lock (posting in a thread that has gone bad and is likely soon to be locked)
IBZ
- Improved Battlesight Zero (All purpose zero invented by Lt. Colonel
Chuck Santose. Set at 50 yards, it gives a very flat trajectory out to
250 meters. Instructions here.)
ID - Inside Diameter
ID
- Involuntary Discharge (an unintentional discharge of a weapon
resulting from a physical reaction beyond the shooter's instant control
- e.g. a muscle spasm)
IIRC - If I Recall Correctly
IM - Instant Message (a private communication between forum members, accessed via the


button at the top of the page)
IMHO - In My Humble Opinion
IMNSHO - In My Not So Humble Opinion
IMO - In My Opinion
IPSC
- International Practical Shooting Confederation (organizes and
sponsors shooting competitions emphasizing a combination of accuracy,
power, and speed - website)
IRL - In Real Life




IWB - Inside the Waist Band (holster)
JANFU - Joint Army/Navy F**k Up (for a mess so big that one force alone couldn't have made it by itself)
JBT
- Jack-Booted Thug (derived from the name of the military boot made
infamous by the goose-stepping Nazis, now applied in a derogatory
manner to mean any repressive, overly authoritarian person)
JHP - Jacketed Hollow Point (a bullet that is jacketed in metal, but with a hollow cavity at the tip - see the Ammo Oracle)
J/K - Just Kidding
JMO - Just My Opinion
JP - John Paul {Enterprises/Rifles} (manufacturer of rifle parts and accessories, particularly known for their trigger parts - website)
JSP - Jacketed Soft Point (a bullet that is jacketed in metal, but with exposed lead at the tip - see the Ammo Oracle)
KAC - Knights Armament Company (manufacturer of rail adapter systems, sights and accessories - website)
KB - KaBoom (explosive failure of a firearm - caused by problems such as out-of-battery firing, bore obstructions, etc.)
KBC
- Keyboard Commando (a person who buys and opines on expensive tactical
gear but who has no actual combat or law enforcement training or
experience)
KISS - Keep It
Simple, Stupid (an admonition to avoid complexity with its attendant
expense and unreliability, also used as an adjective to describe
something that adheres to the KISS philosophy)
KKF - Kurt's Kustom Firearms (custom gunsmithing services and special parts - website)
KMC - Knights Manufacturing Company (manufacturer of rail adapter systems, sights and accessories - website)
KNS - KNS Precision (manufacturer of small parts such as sight apertures and trigger pins for a variety of rifles - website)
LAR - L.A.R. Manufacturing (www.largrizzly.com/)
LC
- Lake City (a federally owned, contractor operated plant in Missouri
where small arms ammunition is made for the U.S. military)
LCW - Lauer Custom Weaponry (gun refinishing and camouflaging services - website)
LE - Law Enforcement
LEGP - Limited Edition Group Purchase
LEO - Law Enforcement Officer
LEO - Law Enforcement Only (an item that can legally be used only by law enforcement agencies and their personnel)
LL
- Lightning Link (a device for converting a semi-automatic gun to
full-auto. By itself considered to be a machine gun under the NFA, and unregistered ones are illegal to even possess with, let alone install in, the guns they convert)
LMAO - Laughing My A$$ Off
LMK - Let Me Know
LMT - Lewis Machine and Tool (manufacturer of AR-15 uppers and accessories - website)
LOL - Laugh Out Loud
LOP - Length Of Pull (the distance from the face of the trigger to the end of the buttstock)
LPK - Lower Parts Kit
LRC
- Living Room Commando (a person who buys and opines on expensive
tactical gear but who has no actual combat or law enforcement training
or experience)
LULA - Loader/Unloader Accessory (for fast loading and unloading of magazines - website)
LW or L-W - Leitner-Wise (manufacturer of weapons based on the AR-15 platform, including .499 and gas-piston variants - website)
LW - Lightweight
M16
- The original full-auto military version of the AR-15 rifle (includes
triangular cross-section handguards, early style rear sight that is not
adjustable for range, and a 1:12 twist barrel: photos)
M16A1 - Later variant of the M16 that added a forward assist to jam the bolt home when the normal action cycling doesn't: photos)
M16A2
- Later variant of the M16A1 that switched to a range-adjustable rear
sight, a 1:7 twist barrel, round cross-section handguards and
substituted a three-round burst firing mode for the full-auto mode: photos)
M16A3
- Later variant of the M16A2 that substitutes full-auto firing for the
three-round burst mode of the M16A2. Initially adopted by the Navy
SEALS: photos)
M16A4
- Later variant of the M16A2 that added a flat-top upper receiver with
removable carry handle but maintained the three-round burst firing
mode: photos)
M193 - 55 grain FMJBT military cartridge, usable in 1:14 to 1:7 twist barrels (see the Ammo Oracle)
M4
- A 14.5" barrel carbine version of the M16A2. Earlier models have an
integral A2 carry handle, later ones have a flat-top upper (photos)
M4A1 - A variant of the M4 that includes full-auto fire and a flat-top upper with removable carry handle (photos)
M4GERY
- A rifle designed to mimic the appearance and function of a true M4,
but that isn't an official military M4 (pronounced "em forgery")
M855 - 62 grain FMJBT military cartridge, usable in 1:10 to 1:7 twist barrels  (see the Ammo Oracle)
MAP
- Minimum Advertised Price (A price below which retailers are
prohibited from advertising a product. Not all
manufacturers/distributors enforce MAP policies, and even when they do,
retailers are not legally prohibited from selling below MAP.)
MARPAT - MARine PATtern (a digital camouflage pattern.  Examples here, controversy here and here.)
MARS
- Multipurpose Aiming Reflex Sight (an Israeli sight that combines a
reflex red-dot sight with a laser (visible or IR) aiming light - website)
MIAD - MIssion ADaptable (a modular grip manufactured by Magpul - website)
MOA
- Minute Of Angle (a measure of angular displacement equal to 1/60 of
one degree, usually used when discussing group sizes - 1 MOA is roughly
1" at 100 yds)
MOUT - Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain
M&P - Military and Police (A trademark of Swith and Wesson for a line of pistols and AR-15 rifles)
- proof mark that indicates Magnetic particle inspection and Proof load firing has been performed on a barrel
MP
- Magnetic Particle [inspection/testing] (Magnetic particle inspection
is a non-destructive steel inspection method used to ensure that a
barrel, for example, is free from metallurgical defects such as cracks.
MP is also used as an easily typed representation of the proof mark






that is sometimes stamped on a part to indicate it has been MP tested.)
MGI - Mack Gwinn Industries (manufacturer of quick change barrel system and other components for the AR-15 - website)
MRE - More Real Estate (a rail adapter system that extends past the FSB, made by KAC)
MRE - Meal Ready to Eat.  The food provision for the US Military.
MRF - Modular Rail Forend (a rail adapter system made by Troy Industries)
MRP - Monolithic Rail Platform (an integrated AR-15 upper receiver and rail adapter system, made by LMT)
MSRP - Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
MRS - Modular Rail System (Leitner-Wise's light-weight, quick-change barrel system designed for use with standard AR-15 lowers)
MR/T (also MRT) - Mid Range / Tactical (a line of optics made by Leupold and designed for mid-range capability)
MSTN - Mid-South Tactical Network (retailer of AR-15 related gear and accessories - website)
MWS - Modular Weapon System
NBD - No Big Deal
ND - Negligent Discharge (an unintentional discharge of a weapon that reasonably should have been foreseen and prevented)
NFA - National Firearms Act (of 1934 - the law governing machine guns, sawed off shotguns, short barreled weapons, suppressors, etc.)
NFW - No Frickin' Way (substitute for "Frickin'" as desired)
NIB - New In Box (a gun that is still in the original box, unfired after it left the factory)
NICS
- National Instant Criminal Background Check System (the system
established as part of the Brady Act to check for disqualifying
information that would prevent legal transfer of a firearm to a person)
NIW - New In Wrapper (mostly in reference to magazines, which come from the factory wrapped in protective paper or plastic)
NM - National Match (a competition sponsored by the CMP)
NM - Never Mind
NOD - Night Observation Device
NOOB - Newbie (one who is new to a topic and doesn't have much knowledge of it)
NOS
- New Old Stock (generally used in connection with an item that can no
longer be manufactured new, but that can be sold from existing stock:
an item that is chronologically old, but that has been sitting in
storage and was never sold at retail or used before)
NRA - National Rifle Association (website)
NSN
- National Stock Number (a unique number assigned to each item in the
Federal Supply Cataloging System, including parts and accessories for
military weapons such as the M16)
NSFW - Not Safe For Work (containing content potentially unsuitable for viewing at work, e.g. pictures of scantily clad women)
NSW - Naval Special Warfare
NTCH
- Nose To Charging Handle (a cheek weld [placement of the side of one's
face against the stock] where the tip of the nose touches the charging
handle, thus giving a consistent position and sight picture)
NVD - Night Vision Device
OAI - Olympic Arms, Inc. (manufacturer of various AR-style rifles - website)
OAL - Overall Length
OBO - Or Best Offer






OBI - Open Bolt Indicator - a flag inserted into a firearm receiver to show that the bolt is open (and thus in a safe condition)
OD - Olive Drab (that green color the army is so fond of)
OD - Outside Diameter
OEG
- Occluded Eye Gunsight (a sight that projects a dot to the eye but
through which you can't actually see the target - hence the term
"occluded". It works via binocular vision whereby one eye views the
target directly, the other eye views the dot in the sight, and your
brain merges the two images together)
OFS - Out Freakin' Standing (substitute for "Freakin'" as desired)
OICW
- Objective Individual Combat Weapon (possible M16 replacement weapon
system that can fire both normal bullets and airburst fragmenting
munitions. The XM8 is based on the normal bullet firing component an
early OICW entry. Overview)
OTM - Open Tip Match (a type of hollow point bullet designed for long range accuracy)
OTJT - On The Job Training
OP - Original Post/er (the first post in a thread or the person who posted the first post)
OPS - Operations (see also OPS-INC just below)
OPS-INC - O. P. Seberger Incorporated (manufacturer of muzzle breaks and silencers for the U.S. military - website)
OST
- Old School Tag (posting in a thread to tag the thread - as opposed to
using the "Tag" button - so it appears in the "My Active Topics" list
for easy tracking. This ar15.com feature is only available to Team
Members.)
OTAL - Offset Tactical Aiming Laser (a laser sight mounted alongside the barrel/handguards/carry handle)
P2P - Person to Person (used in chat, may also be used to refer to face to face sales)
PAFS
- Permanently Attached Flash Suppressor (generally permanently attached
in order to bring a barrel's overall length to 16" and thus avoid the
legal restrictions on SBRs)
PD - Police Department
PDW
- Personal Defense Weapon (a generally compact weapon designed
primarily for defensive rather than offensive operations, for example
the FN P90)
PEBCAK - Problem Exists Between Chair And Keyboard (indirect way of saying "user error")
PEBKAC - Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair (indirect way of saying "user error")
PIA - Pain In (the) Ass
PIE (as in "I like")
- Origins aside (there's a clean and dirty version), it's another
version of "I have no meaningful comment on this subject", ala +1.
PITA - Pain In The Ass
PM - Preventative Maintenance
PM - Private Message (see IM)
PMO - Postal Money Order
POA - Point Of Aim
POF
- Patriot Ordnance Factory (manufacturer of gas piston AR-15 uppers and
rail systems, importer of HK parts from Pakistan Ordnance Factories - website)
POI - Point Of Impact
POS - Pile Of Sh*t
PRI - Precision Reflex Incorporated (website)
PRK
- People's Republic of Kalifornia (a name for California that alludes
to the state's rather draconian, some would say Communist-like,
anti-gun laws)
PRNJ - People's Republic of New Jersey (see PRK)
PRNY - People's Republic of New York (see PRK)
PRS - Precision Rifle/Sniper (a precision stock made by Magpul, adjustable for height and LOP)
PSD
- Personal Security Detail/Detachment (a group of security specialists
who travel with and provide personal protection for a high-ranking or
valuable person)
PWA - Pac West Arms
Q3131A - M193 ammunition packaged for sale to civilians (may fail to meet some aspect of military standard - see the Ammo Oracle)
QCB - Quick Change Barrel
QD - Quick Detach




QFT - Quoted For Truth
RA - Robinson Armament (manufacturer of the M96 and XCR series of piston operated .223 rifles - website)
RAS - Rail Adapter System
RBP - RB Precision (retailer of AR-15s and accessories - website)
RDIAS - Registered Drop-In Auto Sear (a DIAS legally registered under the NFA.  By itself considered to be a machine gun under the NFA)
RECCE - Reconnaissance (in this context a 16" free floating match barrel upper, ACOG optic, originally used by SEALS)
RINO - Republican In Name Only
RIS - Rail Interface System
RKBA - Right to Keep and Bear Arms
RKI - Reasonably Knowledgeable Individual
RLL - Registered Lightning Link (a LL legally registered under the NFA.  By itself considered to be a machine gun under the NFA)
ROF - Rate Of Fire
RORG - Royal Ordnance Radway Green (A British munitions factory.  Review of RORG surplus 5.56mm here.)
ROTFLMAO - Rolling On The Floor Laughing My A$$ Off
RR - Registered Receiver (a receiver, typically for a machine gun, registered under the NFA)
RRA - Rock River Arms (manufacturer of AR-15 rifles - website)
RTFM - Read The Freakin' Manual (substitute for "Freakin'" as desired)
SAAMI - Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (an association
of manufacturers of sporting firearms, ammunition, and components.
Often used to distinguish between the sporting .223 chamber [the SAAMI
chamber] and the military 5.56 mm chamber )
SAM-R - Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle (20" match barrel upper with Leupold scope, used by the Marines - more info)
SAR - Small Arms Review (website)
SAW - Specialized Armament Warehouse (Colt distributor that caters to military and law enforcement sales - website)
SAW - Squad Automatic Weapon
SBR - Short-Barreled Rifle (a rifle whose barrel is less than 16" long as defined by the NFA)
SCAR - Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle (additional information here)
SD - Shell Deflector
SDM-R - Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (20" match barrel upper with ACOG scope, used by the Army - more info)
SEAK - Special Edition AK (a custom AK-74 rifle sold as part of a group buy run by AR15.com)
SEBR - Special Edition Black Rifle (a custom AR-15 rifle sold as part of a group buy run by AR15.com)
SF - Special Forces
SF - Surefire (manufacturer of flashlights and weapon lights - website)
SGN
- Shotgun News (a venerable gun sales publication made up entirely of
display and classified advertising, first published in 1946 - website)
SHSIBI - Should Have Stayed In Bed Instead
SHTF
- Sh*t Hits The Fan (things going seriously wrong - generally used to
describe an event that sets society off the rails for some period of
time)
SIR - Selective Integrated Rail (see A.R.M.S. website)
SMG - Sub Machine Gun
SMK - Sierra Match King (a hollow tip bullet designed for long range accuracy, made by Sierra Bullets - website)
SNAFU - Situation Normal: All Fouled Up (substitute more colorful adjective for "Fouled" as desired)
SOB - Son Of a Bitch
SOCOM - Special Operations Command
SOPMOD - Special Operations Peculiar Modification
SOF - Special Operations Forces (in addition to its standard military usage, also a designation for a now discontinued mid-length AR-15 carbine made by ArmaLite)
SOT - Special Occupational Taxpayer (a person whose occupation [e.g. manufacturer/importer/dealer of NFA weapons] exempts him from paying NFA transfer taxes)
SP - Soft Point (a bullet whose lead tip is exposed rather than jacketed in a harder metal)
SPC - Special Purpose Cartridge (as in the new 6.8 mm SPC)
SPF
- Sold Pending Funds (an item for sale has been claimed and is off the
market, but the seller has not yet received the buyer's funds so the
transaction has not yet finalized)
SPORTS - Mnemonic for AR-15 immediate action drill:  Slap the bottom of the magazine. Pull the charging handle. Observe the open chamber area. Release the charging handle. Tap the forward assist. Shoot.  Some people consider this to be remedial action rather than immediate action.  See also TRB and TPRRRS.
SPR - Special Purpose Rifle (18" free floating match barrel upper)
SS - Stainless Steel
STFU - Shut The F**k Up
SUM - Stainless Ultra Match (Olympic Arms' name for their stainless steel barrel made with broach-cut rifling for accuracy - website)
SWMBO - She Who Must Be Obeyed
T - Top (as in the numbered stations on the top rail of an A4 upper)
TA - Tactical Armadillo (promotional bottle-opener/mascot of LaRue Tactical - website)
TAG
- Not an acronym. Used to bookmark (or "tag") a topic for viewing later
using the "My Active Topics" button. (Team members only)
TARFU - Things Are Really Fouled Up (substitute more colorful adjective for "Fouled" as desired)
TANSTAAFL - There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch (popularized, but not invented, by Robert Heinlein in his 1966 novel The Moon is a Harsh Mistress)
TCH
- Tactical Carry Handle (a specialized carry handle made by RRA and
designed to mount Aimpoint red dot sights via Aimpoint's low ring - website)
TD - TangoDown (manufacturer of grips, both vertical and pistol - website)
TDP
- Technical Data Package (the collection of drawings, engineering
notes, etc. that describe in detail the design and construction of an
item)
T&E - Test and Evaluation
TEOTWAWKI - The End Of The World As We Know It
TM - Technical Manual
TPRRRS - Tap, Pull, Rack, Roll, Release, Shoot (an alternative to the traditional SPORTS IAD, described here)
TRB
- Tap Rack Bang (an immediate action drill: tap the bottom of the
magazine to ensure it is seated, rack the slide, and shoot [bang]. See
also SPORTS and TPRRRS)
TSOB - Tough SOB
TTT - Tack To Top
UBR - Utility/Battle Rifle (a general purpose adjustable stock made by Magpul, with a fixed cheekweld.  Successor to the M93B.)
UD
- Unintentional Discharge (a weapon discharge made without deliberate
or conscious intent, including accidental, involuntary and negligent
discharges)
URX - Upper Receiver eXtension (a free-floating rail system made by Knight's Armament)
USGI - United States Government Issue (often in reference to magazines - most regard USGI mags as the best)
USMC - United States Marine Corps
VFG - Vertical Fore/Forward/Front Grip
VLTOR - Ancient Roman spelling for the Latin word ULTOR, meaning "Avenger" (more directly, a modular stock system for the M16, M4 and AR series of rifles)
WAG - Wild Ass Guess
WECSOG
- Wile E. Coyote School Of Gunsmithing (unconventional, unprofessional
[although not necessarily poor quality], make-do with what you've got
gunsmithing - usually done at home with few tools, often involving a
file and/or hammer)
WOA - White Oak Armament (retailer of AR-15 parts - website)
WOP - White Oak Precision (builder of custom AR-15 and AR-10 uppers - website)
WSSM - Winchester Super Short Magnum
WTB - Want(ed) To Buy
WTF - What The F**k
WTK - Want(ed) To Know
WTS - Want(ed) To Sell
WTT - Want(ed) To Trade
WWB
- Winchester White Box (In AR-15 context, Q3131A ammunition made in
Israel to M193 specifications - relatively inexpensive but reliable
general purpose ammo)
XCR - eXchangeable Caliber Rifle* (Robinson Armament's modular battle rifle, originally intended as a SCAR contender)
XM193 - M193 ammunition packaged for sale to civilians (may fail to meet some aspect of military standard - see the Ammo Oracle)
XM8 - Designation of a modular weapon system that may replace the M16 family of rifles.  Adoption of the XM8 is uncertain. (brochure, overview)
YHM - Yankee Hill Machine (manufacturer of rails, mounts, forearms, sights and other AR-15 accessories - website)
YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary
Z
- Zero (marked on some A2-style rear sight elevation knobs to indicate
the position at which the knob should be set when establishing a
battlesight zero on a 25-meter range according to standard military doctrine)
ZM - Z-Man or Zitta-Man {Weapons} (manufacturer of the LR-300 op-rod gas system upper/rifle and LR-300/AR-15 accessories - website)
 






 

 





 


 

CONUS????

WTF is ROP?

CONUS = Continetal United States (the 48)
ROP = Religion of Peace, Rate of Progress/Patrol

Also, nothing against Leitner Wise, but for a looooonnnnnng time, LW stood for Light Weight, hard to change that perhaps?

Yes, it is one version of immediate action drill. I think it is an older version, and some now advocate the Tap, Rack, Bang as you listed. I don't have TRB in the list, but do have a longer-winded version of it (I think):

Close but not quite, tap rack bang is immediate action- if that fails then proceed to remedial action which is SPORTS

Who untacked this thread?

and, more importantly... why? have to do a search to find it now. Perhaps it oughta be moved to the "General / News and Announcements" forum if you don't want it in AR discussions?

AGH! I just had a good one but forgot it while reading other ones. Ill get back to you.

How bout putting 87 on there? I still don't exactly get it or where it came from...

FOB...Forward operating base.
IED...Improvised explosive device

Originally Posted By Blanco_Diablo: How bout putting 87 on there? I still don't exactly get it or where it came from...

Because it is not an Acronym or Abbreviation.

Originally Posted By zrxc77: WAG - Wild Ass Guess

Dont know if it is used here or not, but you've also got the "SWAG Theory" Scientific Wild Ass Guess

Originally Posted By Blanco_Diablo: How bout putting 87 on there? I still don't exactly get it or where it came from...

what is dfw??

..I always see it in the EE, complete firearms/lowers listing

Originally Posted By yeyey: what is dfw??

What is the context?  I generally think of "Dallas Fort Worth" (as in the airport and the cities it serves) when I hear DFW.  Off the top of my head I don't know of any AR15 related meaning for DFW.

Originally Posted By RolandofGilead: Yes, it is one version of immediate action drill. I think it is an older version, and some now advocate the Tap, Rack, Bang as you listed. I don't have TRB in the list, but do have a longer-winded version of it (I think): Close but not quite, tap rack bang is immediate action- if that fails then proceed to remedial action which is SPORTS

SPORTS is Immediate Action, Remedial Action is when you put the weapon on safe, lock the bolt back, drop your source of feed, and take more time to fix the problem (ie.. clearing a double feed, digging out a casing that failed to extract or eject, stuff like that)

In the Marines I was taught TRB as immediate and SPORTS as remedial action, but now in the Army SPORTS is immediate action.

I added TRB and made a note that some people consider SPORTS to be remedial action rather than immediate action.  I also caught up with a few suggestions people had made that I had not yet copied to the main list.

CTR - Compact/Type Restricted (an adjustable carbine stock made by Magpul, with a friction lock feature)
FDE - Flat Dark Earth (a tan-brown color making inroads as a replacement for black in weapon coloring)
LOP - Length Of Pull (the distance from the face of the trigger to the end of the buttstock)
PRS - Precision Rifle/Sniper (a precision stock made by Magpul, adjustable for height and LOP)
UBR - Utility/Battle Rifle (a general purpose adjustable stock made by Magpul, with a fixed cheekweld.  Successor to the M93B.)

Thanks for the contributions, Glock_10mm

Originally Posted By a_rome: What is MOBG??

What is the context?  All I could come up with is "moderate bluish green" or "multiplayer online browser game", neither of which seem to have anything to do with AR15s.

Originally Posted By BlueNoteExpress: I know this probably one I should know, and I feel stupid for asking, but what does AO stand for?  I see it used a lot, but I don't see it listed here.

I ask you also, what is the context?  It might be "area of operations" or "aviation ordnanceman" or "adults only" or "acronym overload" ( ) or any number of other meanings.

M&P - Military and Police (A trademark of Swith and Wesson for a line of pistols and AR-15 rifles)
RORG - Royal Ordnance Radway Green (A British munitions factory.  Review of RORG surplus 5.56mm here.)

CDI- Chicks Dig It!

I have seen several of these;

PRCA-Peoples Republic of California
PRNY-New York
PRNJ-New Jersey

ACR-advanced combet rifle -from the 1980's search for a replacement for the M16

COMWEC

Complete Meltdown Of Western Civilization

(got it out of this months "Combat Arms", pg39)

CAA - Command Arms Accessories (manufacturer of accessories and gear for various weapons - website)
NSW - Naval Special Warfare
URX - Upper Receiver eXtension (a free-floating rail system made by Knight's Armament)


Also merged several recent suggestions into the main list.  Thanks all.

Observe
Orient
Direct
Act

:)

Originally Posted By ChrisJ: Observe Orient Direct Act :)

Are you sure about that?  My research shows it as "Observe, Orient, Decide, Act.

What does ROP stand for?  

EDIT:  Nevermind, found it on page 3.  Religion of Peace.

HOS-Hall Of Shame

BFE--Bum F*&K Egypt, as in the middle of nowhere....ie....Iraq, Kuwait, Arkansas

example;

My fuel convoy was chalked at the TOC as push #4 NB  then halfway to BIAP the new escorts GPS went TU and we are now in BFE.

is humor okay?  All this acronym and shorthand reminded me of an old joke:

A guy goes to prison and on his first night after lights out, he hears another convict yell out "32!", and the whole cell block erupts in laughter.  He hears another yell out "91!", and again, laughter.  He asks his cellmate, "What's up with the numbers and laughing?".  His cellmate replies, "We've all been in here so long that we know all the jokes by heart.  It just saves time to give 'em a number and yell it out."  The convict thinks, "I'll try it," and yells out  "27!"; utter silence in the block.  "What's the deal?', he asks his cell mate.  "You told it wrong."

Originally Posted By superchief: is humor okay?  All this acronym and shorthand reminded me of an old joke:

I appreciate your desire to contribute, but this part of the site is a technical area.  Your post would be better suited for General Discussion

i bet no ones heard of THIS one....ready? wait for it.....wait for it.....BAM V V V V
                                                 FTIFP(ForgotToInsertFiringPin)

I've been seeing this term used a lot on the EE and was racking my brain over it.  I think I may have found it, so you business types please correct me if I'm wrong:

MAP - Minimum Advertised Price

Originally Posted By zrxc77: Originally Posted By BlueNoteExpress: I know this probably one I should know, and I feel stupid for asking, but what does AO stand for?  I see it used a lot, but I don't see it listed here. I ask you also, what is the context?  It might be "area of operations" or "aviation ordnanceman" or "adults only" or "acronym overload" ( ) or any number of other meanings.

I usually see it used to describe a place so I'm betting that where I'm seeing it, it's probably intended to mean "Area of Operations".

Thanks.

Originally Posted By Shark15: What does SNAP mean? I didn't see it listed.

Do you have some context for it?  It doesn't ring a bell for me (at least not as an acronym).

Apologize if I skipped over it but what does:

BCG mean?

LBE stand for?


Thanks.

Well in my own experience BCG stood for Birth Control Glasses. They are the eye-glasses the military issues.

LBE = Load bearing equipment

Originally Posted By ceadmin: Apologize if I skipped over it but what does: BCG mean? LBE stand for? Thanks.

BCG = Bolt Carrier Group.  I thought for sure that was in the list, but it isn't.  I'll have to add it.

LBE = Load Bearing Equipment  - the vests and such that soldiers use to carry their load:

Originally Posted By zrxc77: Originally Posted By Shark15: What does SNAP mean? I didn't see it listed. Do you have some context for it?  It doesn't ring a bell for me (at least not as an acronym).

I know I should probally know better than to ask seeing who is posting it but I have also seen other members say it as well.

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=300006&page=2

Originally Posted By Shark15: Originally Posted By zrxc77: Originally Posted By Shark15: What does SNAP mean? I didn't see it listed. Do you have some context for it?  It doesn't ring a bell for me (at least not as an acronym). I know I should probally know better than to ask seeing who is posting it but I have also seen other members say it as well. www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=12&t=300006&page=2

I thought I might see an "Oh snap!" as the context.

That is not an acronym.  It is just a catch phrase.  Look here for more information.

DI - Direct Impingement (firearm operating system where the action is cycled directly by the cartridge gasses.  Most famously used in the AR15 and M16 series of rifles.  More information here and here.)
OP - Original Post/er (the first post in a thread or the person who posted the first post)

SDM-R - Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (20" match barrel upper with ACOG scope, used by the Army - more info)

WRT = with respect to

LS/MFT = Lucky Strike means Fine Tobacco  


Noah

What is MILF?


Nevermind I found it.

I am definitely marking this page (see name for reason, mostly the last 4 characters)

Thanks to all who have contributed!

Originally Posted By southpaw67: BFE--Bum F*&K Egypt, as in the middle of nowhere....ie....Iraq, Kuwait, Arkansas, Egypt(?)

What is PMC?

Context that I saw it in here:  "The HSLD PMC guys have shown up to skool us on this" in reference to what rifles contractors in the sandbox use.

Originally Posted By engineer2001: What is PMC? Context that I saw it in here:  "The HSLD PMC guys have shown up to skool us on this" in reference to what rifles contractors in the sandbox use.

likely means Para-Military Contractor