M16 rifle

"M16" redirects here. For other uses, see M16 (disambiguation).

Rifle, Caliber 5.56 mm, M16
M16A2, multi-sided view.
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1964–present[1]
Used bySee Users
WarsSee Conflicts
Production history
DesignerEugene Stoner (AR-10)[2]
L. James Sullivan (AR-15)[3]
Designed1959[4]
Manufacturer
Produced
  • November 1963–present[9]
No. built~8 million[1][10][11]
VariantsSee List of Colt AR-15 and M16 rifle variants
Specifications (M16)
MassUnloaded:
6.37 lb (2.89 kg) (M16A1)
7.5 lb (3.40 kg) (M16A2 without magazine and sling)[12]
7.5 lb (3.40 kg) (M16A4)
8.81 lb (4.00 kg) (M16A4 loaded with 30 rounds and sling)[13]
Length38.81 in (986 mm) (M16A1)
39.63 in (1,007 mm) (M16A2)
39.37 in (1,000 mm) (M16A4)
Barrel length20 in (508 mm)
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
ActionGas-operated, closed rotating bolt, Stoner expanding gas
Rate of fire700–800 rounds/min cyclic sustained (M16A1)[14]
700–900 rounds/min cyclic sustained (M16A2, M16A3)[15]
800 rounds/min cyclic sustained (M16A4)[15]
Muzzle velocity3,150 ft/s (960 m/s) (M855A1 round)[16]
Effective firing range550 m (601 yd) (point target)[17]
800 m (875 yd) (area target)[18]
Maximum firing range3,600 m (3,937 yd)
Feed systemSTANAG magazine
20-round detachable box magazine
30-round detachable box magazine
40-round detachable box magazine
60-round detachable box magazine
Beta C-Mag 100-round drum magazine
SightsIron 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 assault 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 XM16E1 entered US military service as the M16 and in the following year was deployed for jungle warfare operations during the Vietnam War.[19] In 1969, the M16A1 replaced the M14 rifle to become the US military's standard service rifle.[20] The M16A1 incorporated numerous modifications including a bolt-assist, chrome-plated bore, protective reinforcement around the magazine release, and revised flash hider.[19]

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.[21] Adopted in July 1997, the M16A4 is the fourth generation of the M16 series. It is equipped with a removable carrying handle and quad Picatinny rail for mounting optics and other ancillary devices.[22]

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.[23][1] The US military has largely replaced the M16 in frontline combat units with a shorter and lighter version, the M4 carbine.[24][25] 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 new rifle is designated XM7.[26]

  1. ^ a b c Rottman (2011), p. 74.
  2. ^ National Rifle Association of America (2018), p. 1.
  3. ^ Chasmar (2016), p. 1; Ezell (2001), p. 1.
  4. ^ Hogg & Weeks (1985), pp. 195–196.
  5. ^ "Forgotten M16A1 Rifle Manufacturers: GM/Hydra-Matic and Harrington & Richardson – Part I". Small Arms Review. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Forgotten M16A1 Rifle Manufacturers – GM/Hydra-Matic and Harrington & Richardson – Part II". Small Arms Review. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  7. ^ "U.S. Army places order for 24,000 M4A1 carbines with Remington". Military Times. 21 April 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
  8. ^ "Colt M16 (Series)". Military Factory. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  9. ^ "The Story Behind the Legendary M16 Rifle". The National Interest. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  10. ^ "M16: The Weapon That Changed The World". Forces News. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  11. ^ "M16: 4 Incredible Facts You Might Not Know". The National Interest. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  12. ^ Department of the Army & Department of the Air Force (1991), p. 26.
  13. ^ Department of the Army & Department of the Air Force (1991), p. 26; McNab, Shumate & Gilliland (2021), p. 13.
  14. ^ Rottman (2011), p. 26.
  15. ^ a b Rottman (2011), p. 40.
  16. ^ Clark (2012), p. 1.
  17. ^ PEO Soldier (2011), p. 1.
  18. ^ Army Study Guide (2005), p. 1.
  19. ^ a b Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) (1968), p. 5.
  20. ^ Ezell et al. (1993), pp. 46–47; Urdang (1968), p. 801.
  21. ^ Osborne & Smith (1986), p. 1; Venola (2005), pp. 6–18.
  22. ^ Green & Stewart (2004), pp. 16–17.
  23. ^ Colt, M16 5.56mm Rifle (2003).
  24. ^ Weapon Systems 2011 (2010).
  25. ^ Marine Corps Times, 26 October 2015, p.19.
  26. ^ South (2022), p. 1.