DESIGN
Eugene Stoner designed the AR-15 (based on
his Armalite AR-10), which was taken into
service with the US army as the M16. The
CAR-15 (carbine assault rifle 15) was developed,
but was not used on a large scale. An even
smaller variant, the Commando, was also put
into service.
The M16A1 was used on a large scale in Vietnam
and proved unreliable and did not enough
damage. The Belgium firm Fabrique Nationale
was asked to improve the 5.56x45mm and the
M16. The new 5.56x45mm uses a shorter twist
and the new M16A2 was fitted with such a
barrel and a 3 round burst group. The M4
also uses the new M855 ammunition. |
| This is an even smaller version of the CAR-15.
It has a range of only 200 meters and is
even more unreliable than the M16. |
| This is the carbine version of the M16. Popular
by law enforcement teams. |
| The M16 can be fitted with the M203 grenade
launcher. It used 20 round magazines. From
1967 to 1970 those 20 round magazines were
replaced by 30 round magazines. |
| The M4 is the carbine variant of the M16A2.
It has a shorter forearm, barrel and has
a retractable stock. It is quite similar
to the CAR-15. The M4A1 is the flat-top variant.
The M4 can be fitted with the M203 grenade
launcher. |
| The M16 can be fitted with the M203 grenade
launcher. It used 20 round magazines. From
1967 to 1970 those 20 round magazines were
replaced by 30 round magazines. |
| The CAR, Colt Automatic Rifle, was used as
a light support weapon and is available in
both 5.56mm calibres. It is now replaced
in the US army by the M249 SAW. |
PERFORMANCE
The early M16’s using the 1:12” twist ammunition
(M193) was very unreliable. To counter that,
the 20 round magazines were often loaded
with 18 rounds or less. From 1967 to 1970
those 20 round magazines were replaced by
30 round magazines, which are now the standard
magazines.
The Fabrique Nationale’s upgrade is of significant
importance. The 1:7” 5.56x45mm M855 is much
more lethal, has a flat arc and more important:
more reliable. Nowadays all US 1:12” twist
rifles are out of use.
Accept for the AK-47, the M16 is the world’s
best known assault rifle. For decades there
is the question of what is the best assault
rifle? AK-47 or M16?
I compare the AKM, the most used AK in 7.62x39mm,
and the M16A2, which is nowadays the most
used version:
The AK is far more reliable than the M16
and can fire under water. The M16 is lighter
than the AK and the ammunition of the M16
is lighter, which allows you to carry more
ammunition. The AK has more punch, but is
not as good at piercing body armour as the
M16. The M16 has less recoil, allowing you
to fire automatic at a longer range. The
heavy ammunition and crude sighting system
of the AK makes the weapon useless at a range
over 300 meters. The M16 can be used up to
400 with its iron sights and up to 500 meters
with a scope. I would rather have a scoped
M16 than an AK in European, arctic and desert
conditions. An AK would be more useful in
urban terrain and jungles.
USE
 |
M4 and M16A2 |
 |
M16A2 (used by SAS) |
 |
C7 and C8 (Diemaco) |
 |
M16A1 |
 |
Commando, CAR-15, M4 and M16A2 |
 |
C7 and C8 (Diemaco) |
 |
M16A1 |
 |
M16A1 |
 |
M16A1 |
I |
M16A1 |
 |
M16? |
 |
M16? |
 |
M16? |
| - |
Many law enforcement agencies worldwide use
all M16 variants. |
|
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