opinions on the m16 rifle

[Ron H.]

I trained with the M16A1 in boot camp and got the M16A2 when I got to ITS-San Onofre...they were new to the Corps at that time.
The 16 is lightweight, holds lots of ammo, and in the A2 version..a very accurate rifle even out to 500 meters. It has a ton of stuff you can hang on it, if one has the desire to do that.

Sir, we must have been in at the same time. I had the 'A1 in boot camp and the 'A2 in ITS at Camp Geiger (Lejeune). The '16s we had then were remarkably accurate and very reliable. The only failures I personally saw with live ammo (blanks are a whole 'nuther thing) were magazine related. The guns always ran fine: rain, snow, mud, sand, bitter cold to scorching hot, whatever.

I never had to shoot anyone with the '16, but I do think the 5.56 cartridge is too small for infantry use. Infantry have to shoot things other than just people, and a heavier round is better for that.

JMHO, FWIW.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[cmort666]

I positively loathed the M16A1. I spent a big chunk of my time as the XO of an Army basic training company fixing the stupid things.

I've never fired an A2 or any of the later versions. I have an AR15 with 20" and 16" A2 uppers that I built from parts. I bought it for self-defense when I was having issues with some cowardly neo-Nazi types. There were no swamps, sand dunes or mud holes in my living room, so my operating environment was pretty benign. A Kalashnikov would have been more reliable, but the AR is undoubtedly more accurate and versatile. There's no changing barrel lengths or calibers in a Kalashnikov without there being substantial gunsmithing.

 

[ldp4570]

I first laid my hands on the M16A1 in 1976, since then my opinion hasn't changed. Its not a "battle rifle", and never will be one. I carried in one form or another the M16 from then till 1997 when I retired. In 2004 when I went to Iraq with the COE we were issued M4's, but I always have an AK in a chair bag with several magazine's just incase. The 5.56X45 chambering leaves alot to be desired in being able to stop a threat even at close quarters. I would have loved to have an M14/SOCOM, FN-FAL, or G3.