Mission Deter
and, if necessary, compel adversaries by enabling individuals and small
units to engage targets with accurate, lethal, direct fire.
Entered Army Service
1964
Description and Specifications
A lightweight,
air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle designed for either automatic
or semi-automatic fire through use of a selector lever. There are four
variants - the M-16A1/A2/A3/A4. The M-16A2 incorporates improvements in
iron sight, pistol grip, stock and overall combat effectiveness.
Accuracy is enhanced
by incorporating an improved muzzle compensator, three-round burst
control, and a heavier barrel; and by using the heavier NATO-standard
ammunition, which is also fired by the squad automatic weapon. The M-16A3
is identical to the M-16A2 but has a removable carrying handle that is
mounted on a Picatinny Rail (for better mounting of optics) and is without
burst control. The M-16A4 is identical to the M-16A2 except for the
removable carrying handle and Picatinny Rail.
Caliber:
5.56
mm
Weight:
8.8 lbs
(includes sling & one loaded magazine)
Range:
800
meters for an area target / 550 meters for a point target
Manufacturer Colt
Manufacturing and Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing Inc.
