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.

Jun 2, 2020 · It is an assault rifle which fires NATO standard 5.56 mm ammunition. It has been the primary infantry rifle of the United States military since 1967, is in use by 15 NATO countries, and has been the most produced firearm in its caliber.

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...

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.

Jun 9, 2024 · Here’s a breakdown of their crucial specs: M16A2: Adjustable rear sight (for windage and elevation) and fixed front sight. M16A4: Detachable carry handle with adjustable rear sight (for windage and elevation). The flattop receiver allows for mounting various optics and accessories. M16A2: Fixed buttstock. M16A4: Fixed buttstock.

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. In 1964, the M16 entered U.S. …

Nov 23, 2023 · By 1963, the M16 was adopted as the standard service rifle for the armed forces. Colt even started selling Colt Armalite Rifles and Colt Sporter Rifles to civilians, which were semi-auto versions for sport shooting.

Sep 20, 2017 · It was Nov. 14, 1965, and it was the beginning of one of the most dramatic engagements of the war in Vietnam—the Battle of Ia Drang Valley. North Vietnamese soldiers and Viet Cong guerillas...

Sep 8, 2024 · The M16 rifle is more than just a tool of war—it’s a symbol of innovation, resilience and tactical supremacy. For more than 60 years, this rifle has played a pivotal role in shaping modern military conflicts, proving its worth on battlefields from Vietnam to the Middle East.

Jul 7, 2011 · The M16 series of rifles was the standard issue shoulder weapon in the US military until 2005, at which point the M4 Carbine became the standard issue within the US Army. It marked a...