Introduction - The M16 rifle and all its present day variations are in service with practically every military and law enforcement agency. Its reliability, ease of use, accuracy and seemingly unlimited supply of tactical accessories have made it the weapon of choice for over 60+ countries. The M16A2 rifle system consists of a rifle, magazine, and a sling. It is a lightweight, gas operated, air cooled, magazine fed, shoulder fired weapon that can be fired either in automatic three round bursts or in semiautomatic single shots.

Features / Specifications -

• Manufacturer - Colt Manufacturing and Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing Inc

• Caliber - 5.56mm

• Weight - w/30 round magazine is 8.79lbs

• Length - Rifle w/compensator is 39 5/8 inches (excluding M4s)

• Mechanical Features - Rifling is a Right Hand 1/7 twist

• Muzzle Velocity - 3100 fps

• Cyclic rate of Fire - 800 Rounds per minute

• Max Effective Rate of Fire - Semi (45 rpm), Burst (90 rpm)

• Sustained Rate of Fire - 12/15 rpm

• Max Effective Range - 550 Meters (Point Target), 800 Meters (Area Target such as a vehicle)

• Max Range - 3534 Meter

The M4 Carbine - The M4 5.56mm Carbine is a lightweight, gas operated, air cooled, magazine fed, selective rate, shoulder fired weapon with a collapsible stock. A shortened variant of the M16A2 rifle, the M4 provides the individual soldier operating in close quarters the capability to engage targets at extended range with accurate, lethal fire. The M4 Carbine achieves over 80% commonality with the M16A2 Rifle and will replace all M3 .45 caliber submachine guns and selected M9 pistols and M16 rifle series. The weapon is the standard rifle of issue for Light Infantry Units to include Airborne, Ranger and Special Forces units.

Improvements over the M16A1 -

• a heavier, stiffer barrel than the barrel of the M16A1

• a redesigned handguard, using two identical halves, with a round contour which is sturdier and provides a better grip when holding the rifle

• new buttstock and pistol grip made of a tougher injection moldable plastic that provides much greater resistance to breakage

• an improved rear sight which can be easily adjusted for windage and range

• a modified upper receiver design to deflect ejected cartridges, and preclude the possibility of the ejected cartridges hitting the face of a left-handed firer

• a burst control device, that limits the number of rounds fired in the automatic mode to three per trigger pull, which increases accuracy while reducing ammunition expenditure

• a muzzle compensator, designed to reduce position disclosure and improve controllability and accuracy in both burst and rapid semi-automatic fire

• a heavier barrel with a 1 in 7 twist to fire NATO standard SS 109 type (M855) ammunition which is also fired from the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). This further increases the effective range and penetration of the rifle cartridge. The M16A2 will also shoot the older M193 ammunition designed for a 1 in 12 twist.