He eventually accepted a position with Cadillac Gage where he designed the Stoner 63 Weapons System. Stoner left ArmaLite in 1961 to serve as a consultant for Colt. Their only real success during this period was the AR-5 survival rifle, which was adopted by the United States Air Force. While at ArmaLite, he designed a series of prototype small arms, including the AR-3, AR-9, AR-11, and AR-12, none of which saw significant production. In 1954 he came to work as chief engineer for ArmaLite, a division of Fairchild Engine & Airplane Corporation. In late 1945 Stoner began working in the machine shop for Whittaker, an aircraft equipment company, and ultimately became a Design Engineer. Marine Corps and served in the South Pacific and northern China. The son of Lloyd Lester Stoner and Billie Morrison, Stoner attended high school in Long Beach and upon graduation worked for the Vega Aircraft Company installing armament.ĭuring World War II, he enlisted for Aviation Ordnance in the U.S.
