[mpipes]

The AR platform was common but not the #1 seller it is today. There were dozens available at every gunshow I have ever been too. Galils were getting pretty popular; bought mine in 1985. AKs started showing up in 1983 or so.

If you are really curious, ATF tracked that data fairly well. A FOIA request can get you a lot of data.

But note, ATF only tracked guns manufactured. There were a lot of kits being imported back then.

Anyway, you could find what you wanted from 1985 forward fairly easy till the Assault Weapon Bans in the mid-90s. However, a lot of sporters were then approved that had a few cosmetic changes, and I am not sure that any bans would have gone through.

BTW, I saw the vote on the 1986 Hughes Amendment live. It was just after the silencer ban. Both actually lost on the voice vote, but the Democrat running the votes - Rangel - pronounced the yays had it. Under the rules, the time for a recorded vote had passed. The NRA refused to push stripping it out in conference between the House and Senate, so here things are in the 2020s....still fighting over bans.

Owning full-autos is still legal - I own the AUG used in "Die Hard" - Congress only outlawed future manufacture for private sales. However, there is a loophole, so states could authorize sales to citizens should the choose. None have tried as yet.