Reviews First Look: Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 Dissipator Rifle David Lane June 21, 2023 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More AN ICON OF THE VIETNAM ERA, THE DISSIPATOR IS BACKOriginating in the 1960s, the Dissipator was a way of making a shorter, lighter, and easier-to-handle rifle out of the M16s in service at the time. Basically, cut 4” off the end of the barrel. While great in theory, the Dissipators of the time often had reliability problems due to the decreased length from the gas port to the end of the muzzle. Today, modern Dissipators that are built with the idea of being a rifle-length gas system on a 16” barrel can overcome this.The Anderson AM-15 Dissipator is a rifle with a 16-inch barrel, chambered in 5.56, and equipped with an A2 flash hider. The front sight is based on a government profile and is adjustable, serving as the gas block for the rifle-length gas system. The handguard is a 12-inch polymer A2 style with an internal heat shield and secured by an A2 barrel nut. The upper and lower receivers are forged from 7075 T6 aluminum. A Magpul MBUS rear flip-up sight is attached to the upper receiver's flat-top rail. The rifle also includes an Anderson M16 Profile Bolt Carrier Group, a Premium Lower Parts Kit, an A2 Rifle Buttstock with sling points, and a 30-round ASC Magazine, among other accessories. MSRP is $600“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″ 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?’” -Truman Brough, Anderson Manufacturing’s Product Engineer.Explore RECOILweb:We Put Four of the Latest Pistol-Caliber Carbines to the TestHappy EntrepreNewYear: Blackguard Customs LLCGame Dishes: Duck HashMinnesota Porch Vikings: The New Roof Koreans Amidst the Minneapolis Riots NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.