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.

Feb 26, 2025 · M16 rifle, assault rifle developed as the AR-15 by American engineer Eugene Stoner of ArmaLite Inc. in the late 1950s. The rifle received high marks for its light weight, its accuracy, and the volume of fire that it could provide.

The M16A2 5.56mm rifle is a lightweight, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed, shoulder- or hip-fired weapon designed for either automatic fire (3-round bursts) or semiautomatic fire...

Sep 20, 2017 · North Vietnamese soldiers and Viet Cong guerillas fought the battle armed with either the SKS or the AK-47. The Americans were armed with the XM16E1—a revolutionary new select-fire rifle...

Dec 14, 2024 · The M16 rifle's adoption marked a turning point in U.S. military rifle design, moving away from traditional .30 caliber rounds to a lighter, high-velocity 5.56mm caliber.

The M16 is an assault rifle used by the United States since the Vietnam War in 1963, [5] based on the AR-15. Since 1975, the M16 has been used by many different countries.

Nov 23, 2023 · This rifle served as the official rifle of the US armed forces from the 1980s through the first Gulf War. A limited number of M16A3s, with full-auto capability instead of 3-round bursts, were made for Navy SEAL and other special operations groups.

Jun 9, 2024 · The M16 is an iconic weapon, the standard-issue rifle for the US military for decades. Understanding its specifications is key to appreciating its design, capabilities, and evolution. The “M16” encompasses several variants, with the M16A2 and M16A4 being the most prevalent versions in military service. Here’s a breakdown of their crucial ...

The M16 rifle, officially designated Rifle, Caliber 5.56 mm, M16, is a United States military adaptation of the ArmaLite AR-15 rifle. [12][13][14][n 1] The original M16 was a 5.56mm automatic rifle with a 20-round magazine.

Jul 11, 2024 · The legendary M16 rifle, born from Eugene Stoner and Armalite’s 1956 design, has been a cornerstone of the U.S. military for over six decades. Renowned for its durability, reliability, and adaptability, the M16 has firmly etched its place in military history.