Colt M16A1 production paperwork

Colt M16 & M16A1

Entered service: 1964 for M16; 1969 for M16A1

Production: 1967 - 1982 for M16A1

The M16A1 was an early Cold War assault rifle of US origin. The M16 was a giant leap forward in firearms design and the first standard issue assault rifle adopted by US forces. The M16's design stems from the ArmaLite AR-15, but the name Colt is best known for producing the first generation of the M16 family. The M16 and M16A1 were used by US forces throughout the Vietnam War.

The M16 has a conventional layout while the M16 is the standard on what is nowadays called a conventional layout. The M16 is based on the straight-line principle. The shoulder stock, action and barrel are all in one line resulting in reduced recoil. In order to aim properly the sights have been raised. The rear sight base also functions as a carry handle for the weapon. The receiver is made of aluminum with the barrel, bolt and other parts in the mechanism made of steel. The forearms, pistol grip and stock are made of plastics. The M16 uses direct impingement gas operation. When a shot is fired high pressure gasses build up in the barrel. In the M16 these gasses are tapped via a port in the front sigh base and through a gas tube above the barrel they cycle the system. This design reduces the amount of moving parts significantly, but the gasses foul the moving parts easily. The M16 forms the basis for many variants that range from very compact weapons to light machine guns.

The M16A1 fires the 5.56x45mm M193 round which was specifically designed for this weapon. For a long time the M16 was issued with 20 round magazines as the development of a 30 round magazine proved difficult. A slightly curved 30 round magazine proved to be the solution. The M16A1 is a select-fire weapon with a cyclic rate of fire of 700 to 900 rounds per minute. The maximum effective range is 400 m for the M16A1 and somewhat less for variants with shorter barrels.

The US Air Force was the first to adopt the M16. The US Army adopted an improved model with forward assists as the M16A1, followed by the US Marine Corps. The introduction of the M16A2 in the mid 1980's resulted in the gradual withdrawal of most first generation models from US service. The M16A1 remains in service with various nations around the world, but is more and more relegated to a reserve role.

M16A1 Rifle	M-203 Grenade Launcher
Colt M16A1 Carbine	Colt (HBAR) Heavy Barrel
Colt M16A1 Bipod & Case	Mi6A1 Blank Firing Adaptor
M16A1 Silent Sling	M16A1 Cleaning Kit
Colt 3-Power Telescopic Sight	Colt M16A1 20-RD Magazine
Colt 30-RD Magazine	Colt M16A1 Bayonet