Global InformationM16 rifle information
| M16 | |
|---|---|
 M16A2, multi-sided view | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1964–present[1] |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | See Conflicts |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Eugene Stoner (AR-10)[2] L. James Sullivan (AR-15)[3] |
| Designed | 1959[4] |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Produced |
|
| No. built | c. 8 million as of 2011[1] |
| Variants | See List of Colt AR-15 and M16 rifle variants |
| Specifications (M16) | |
| Mass | unloaded: 6.37 lb (2.89 kg) (M16A1) 7.5 lb (3.40 kg) (without magazine and sling) (M16A2)[5] 7.5 lb (3.40 kg) (M16A4) 8.81 lb (4.00 kg) (loaded with 30 rounds and sling)[6] |
| Length | 38.81 in (986 mm) (M16A1) 39.63 in (1,007 mm) (M16A2) 39.37 in (1,000 mm) (M16A4) |
| Barrel length | 20 in (508 mm) |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45 mm NATO |
| Caliber | 5.56 mm (.223 in) |
| Action | Gas-operated (Expansion of gas within piston inside bolt carrier), closed rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 700–800 rounds/min cyclic sustained (M16A1)[7] 700-900 rounds/min cyclic sustained (M16A2, M16A3)[8] 800 rounds/min cyclic sustained (M16A4)[8] |
| Muzzle velocity | 3,150 ft/s (960 m/s) (M855A1 round)[9] |
| Effective firing range | 550 m (601 yd) (point target)[10] 800 m (875 yd) (area target)[11] |
| Maximum firing range | 3,600 m (3,937 yd) |
| Feed system | STANAG magazine 20-round detachable box magazine: 0.211 lb (0.096 kg) (empty) / 0.738 lb (0.335 kg) (full) 30-round detachable box magazine: 0.257 lb (0.117 kg) (empty) / 1.06 lb (0.48 kg) (full) 40-round detachable box magazine 60-round detachable box magazine Beta C-Mag 100-round drum magazine: 2.2 lb (1.00 kg) (empty) / 4.81 lb (2.18 kg) (full) |
| Sights | Iron sights: Rear: aperture; L-type flip Front: wing-protected post Various aiming optics |
The M16 rifle (officially designated Rifle, Caliber 5.56 mm, M16) is a family of military rifles adapted from the ArmaLite AR-15 rifle for the United States military. The original M16 rifle was a 5.56×45mm automatic rifle with a 20-round magazine.
In 1964, the M16 entered US military service and the following year was deployed for jungle warfare operations during the Vietnam War.[12] In 1969, the M16A1 replaced the M14 rifle to become the US military's standard service rifle.[13] The M16A1 incorporated numerous modifications including a bolt-assist, chrome-plated bore, protective reinforcement around the magazine release, and revised flash hider.[12]
In 1983, the US Marine Corps adopted the M16A2 rifle, and the US Army adopted it in 1986. The M16A2 fires the improved 5.56×45mm (M855/SS109) cartridge and has a newer adjustable rear sight, case deflector, heavy barrel, improved handguard, pistol grip, and buttstock, as well as a semi-auto and three-round burst fire selector.[14] Adopted in July 1997, the M16A4 is the fourth generation of the M16 series. It is equipped with a removable carrying handle and Picatinny rail for mounting optics and other ancillary devices.[15]
The M16 has also been widely adopted by other armed forces around the world. Total worldwide production of M16s is approximately 8 million, making it the most-produced firearm of its 5.56 mm caliber.[16][1] The US military has largely replaced the M16 in frontline combat units with a shorter and lighter version, the M4 carbine.[17][18] In April 2022, the U.S. Army selected the SIG MCX SPEAR as the winner of the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program to replace the M16/M4. The rifle is designated XM7.[19]
- ^ a b c d Rottman (2011), p. 74.
- ^ National Rifle Association of America (2018), p. 1.
- ^ Chasmar (2016), p. 1; Ezell (2001), p. 1.
- ^ Hogg & Weeks (1985), pp. 195–196.
- ^ Department of the Army & Department of the Air Force (1991), p. 26.
- ^ Department of the Army & Department of the Air Force (1991), p. 26; McNab, Shumate & Gilliland (2021), p. 13.
- ^ Rottman (2011), p. 26.
- ^ a b Rottman (2011), p. 40.
- ^ Clark (2012), p. 1.
- ^ PEO Soldier (2011), p. 1.
- ^ Army Study Guide (2005), p. 1.
- ^ a b Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) (1968), p. 5.
- ^ Ezell et al. (1993), pp. 46–47; Urdang (1968), p. 801.
- ^ Osborne & Smith (1986), p. 1; Venola (2005), pp. 6–18.
- ^ Green & Stewart (2004), pp. 16–17.
- ^ Colt, M16 5.56mm Rifle (2003).
- ^ Weapon Systems 2011 (2010).
- ^ Marine Corps Times, 26 October 2015, p.19.
- ^ South (2022), p. 1.