M16

When it was first issued the M16 was disliked by many soldiers, but over the years it has been developed into a more reliable and accurate rifle.

Fast Facts

1. Designer: Eugene Stoner
2. Designed: 1957
3. Produced: 1960
4. Type: Service rifle / Assault rifle
5. Length: 1,006 mm (39.5 in)
6. Place Of Origin: United States of America
7. Cartridge: 5.56 x 45 mm NATO, .223 Remington

5.56x45mm Ammunition

The M16 fires 5.56x45mm ammunition weighs 3.56 grams and is fired with a velocity of 1005 m/s giving it an average muzzle energy of 1798 Joules.

The M16 in Vietnam

In the Vietnam War the M16 was standard issue, replacing the M14, which fired a larger round was generally considered to be a stronger weapon. The most common complaints against the M16 was that it frequently jammed up, misfired and wounded enemy combatants as opposed to killing them. The counterargument to these claims was that the M16 fired a smaller round at a higher velocity, which was more accurate and the lighter round cause the bullet to tumble after hitting the target and still causing significant damage.

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