The history of the M16

[johara1]

Yep, stuff their pockets and retire on our dime too ....... jim

 

[Defty]

Yep, stuff their pockets and retire on our dime too ....... jim

Which came First AR 16 or Armalite AR 180???

 

[JRS]

Which came First AR 16 or Armalite AR 180???

The AR10 in the mid 1950's was first. The 16 and 18 ran parallel.

 

[dickn52]

The Stoner.

 

[Jammer Six]

Stevens, R. Blake., and Edward Clinton. Ezell. The Black Rifle: M16 Retrospective. Toronto: Collector Grade Publications, 1994.

 

[johara1]

All we did was test them, not much for the rest. reliability of the 14 was very good after all it was an improved M1 and they shot very good. More than i could say for the other two. Remember that was about 60 years ago, don't compare what the black gun is now...... jim

 

[dickn52]

My first rifle in the Army in 68 was a 14. Shot out most likely in basic training. My DI brought me a match rifle and I engaged to 800 with irons with that thing. Went off to sunny RVN and they gave me a 16. Matty Mattel's wonder gun we called it. Gave it back and carried a K gun.

 

[johara1]

Now this will put it into prospective, i watch SSgt, Conners shoot 35 straight v's at 1000 yds. On his belly with a sling and iron sighted M14 that a 10" V ring this was inter service match. how about that for F open class now? Why did he stop... too dark and ..... no heavy barrel, no 60 power scope ........ jim

 

[jonbearman]

I realize the early ammo was a problem but they corrected that and issued cleaning kits etc along with the comic book to teach you how to clean it. It should have been done in the beginning but for some reason they thought it was self cleaning, don't know who felt that way but it was a terrible mistake.

 

[Jammer Six]

The part that's never been made clear to me is why, if, according to the book and all the stories, the problem was corrected in about 1970, the A1 still jammed in 1976.

 

[Skeet69]

In addition to "The Black Rifle" there is another book which has a lot more detailed history on the hows and whys of the political (and other) considerations of the advent of the M16 and the ending of the M14 programs. Look around for a copy of "The Great Rifle Controversy" - It's a really detailed look at what went on. Same author who co-wrote the original "The Black Rifle" book, Edward Clinton Ezell.
Mike B

 

[dickn52]

In addition to "The Black Rifle" there is another book which has a lot more detailed history on the hows and whys of the political (and other) considerations of the advent of the M16 and the ending of the M14 programs. Look around for a copy of "The Great Rifle Controversy" - It's a really detailed look at what went on. Same author who co-wrote the original "The Black Rifle" book, Edward Clinton Ezell.
Mike B

I always understood it was load factor. Could carry more rounds of 5.56 than 7.62 at the same weight point.

 

[Jammer Six]

Is it the same ugly two column format?

 

[johara1]

I realize the early ammo was a problem but they corrected that and issued cleaning kits etc along with the comic book to teach you how to clean it. It should have been done in the beginning but for some reason they thought it was self cleaning, don't know who felt that way but it was a terrible mistake.

If i remember right, in boot camp at Parris island you learned to clean a rifle. Weather a M14 or M16 cleaning was the same. It sure don't take a rocket scientist to clean a gun. I never heard they were self cleaning...... jim