Changes

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}

{{Infobox weapon

{{Infobox weapon

|name=Rifle, 5.56 mm, M16

| name = Rifle, 5.56 mm, M16

|image=M16a1m16a2m4m16a45wi.jpg

| image = M16a1m16a2m4m16a45wi.jpg

|caption=From top to bottom: M16A1, M16A2, [[M4 carbine|M4A1]], M16A4

| caption = From top to bottom: M16A1, M16A2, [[M4 carbine|M4A1]], M16A4

|origin=United States <!-- WP:INFOBOXFLAG -->

| origin = United States <!-- WP:INFOBOXFLAG -->

|type=[[Assault rifle]]

| type = [[Assault rifle]]

<!-- Type selection -->

<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged = Yes

|is_ranged=Yes

<!-- Service history -->| service = 1963–present

<!-- Service history -->

| used_by = See ''[[#Users|Users]]''

|service=1963–present

| wars = [[Vietnam War]]<br>[[Laotian Civil War]]<br>[[Cambodian Civil War]]<br>[[The Troubles]]<br>[[Cambodian–Vietnamese War]]<br>[[Communist Insurgency War]]<br>[[Lebanese Civil War]]<br>[[Salvadoran Civil War]]<br>[[Falklands War]]<br>[[1982 Lebanon War]]<br>[[Invasion of Grenada]]<br>[[South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000)]]<br>[[Bougainville Civil War]]<br>[[United States invasion of Panama]]<br>[[Oka Crisis]]<br>[[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]]<br>[[Yugoslav Wars]]<br>[[Somali Civil War]]<br>[[Operation Deny Flight]]<br>[[Operation Joint Endeavor]]<br>[[Nepalese Civil War]]<br>[[1996 Gangneung submarine infiltration incident]]<br>[[Kosovo War]]<br>[[War in Afghanistan (2001–14)|War in Afghanistan]]<br>[[Iraq War]]<br>[[2006 Lebanon War]]<br>[[Mexican Drug War]]<br>[[2010 Rio de Janeiro Security Crisis]]<br>[[Syrian civil war]]<br>[[Gaza–Israel conflict]]<br>[[2013 Lahad Datu standoff]]<br>[[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine]]<br>[[Iraq War (2014–present)]]

|used_by=See ''[[#Users|Users]]''

<!-- Production history -->| designer = [[Eugene Stoner]] and [[L. James Sullivan]]<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Focus on Basics, Urges Small Arms Designer |first=Virginia Hart |last=Ezell |date=November 2001 |journal=National Defense |publisher=National Defense Industrial Association |url=http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2001/November/Pages/Focus_on4174.aspx |access-date=2014-05-26 |archive-date=2010-12-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207022745/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/ARCHIVE/2001/NOVEMBER/Pages/Focus_on4174.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

|wars=[[Vietnam War]]<br>[[Laotian Civil War]]<br>[[Cambodian Civil War]]<br>[[The Troubles]]<br>[[Cambodian–Vietnamese War]]<br>[[Communist Insurgency War]]<br>[[Lebanese Civil War]]<br>[[Salvadoran Civil War]]<br>[[Falklands War]]<br>[[1982 Lebanon War]]<br>[[Invasion of Grenada]]<br>[[South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000)]]<br>[[Bougainville Civil War]]<br>[[United States invasion of Panama]]<br>[[Oka Crisis]]<br>[[Gulf War|Persian Gulf War]]<br>[[Yugoslav Wars]]<br>[[Somali Civil War]]<br>[[Operation Deny Flight]]<br>[[Operation Joint Endeavor]]<br>[[Nepalese Civil War]]<br>[[1996 Gangneung submarine infiltration incident]]<br>[[Kosovo War]]<br>[[War in Afghanistan (2001–14)|War in Afghanistan]]<br>[[Iraq War]]<br>[[2006 Lebanon War]]<br>[[Mexican Drug War]]<br>[[2010 Rio de Janeiro Security Crisis]]<br>[[Syrian civil war]]<br>[[Gaza–Israel conflict]]<br>[[2013 Lahad Datu standoff]]<br>[[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine]]<br>[[Iraq War (2014–present)]]

| design_date = 1956<ref name=Hogg2000_p291>{{Cite book |title=Military Small Arms of the 20th Century |edition=7th |first1=Ian V. |last1=Hogg |first2=John S. |last2=Weeks |publisher=Krause Publications |location=Iola, Wisconsin|year=2000 |isbn=978-0-87341-824-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=teAAHt1GaE8C }}, p.&nbsp;291</ref>

<!-- Production history -->

| manufacturer = * [[Colt's Manufacturing Company]]

|designer=[[Eugene Stoner]] and [[L. James Sullivan]]<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Focus on Basics, Urges Small Arms Designer |first=Virginia Hart |last=Ezell |date=November 2001 |journal=National Defense |publisher=National Defense Industrial Association |url=http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2001/November/Pages/Focus_on4174.aspx |ref=harv |access-date=2014-05-26 |archive-date=2010-12-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207022745/http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/ARCHIVE/2001/NOVEMBER/Pages/Focus_on4174.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

|design_date=1956<ref name=Hogg2000_p291>{{Cite book |title=Military Small Arms of the 20th Century |edition=7th |first=Ian V. |last=Hogg |first2=John S. |last2=Weeks |publisher=Krause Publications |location=Iola, Wisconsin|year=2000 |isbn=978-0-87341-824-9 |url=https://books.google.com/?id=teAAHt1GaE8C |ref=harv }}, p.&nbsp;291</ref>

|manufacturer=

* [[Colt's Manufacturing Company]]

* [[S&T Motiv|Daewoo Precision Industries]]

* [[S&T Motiv|Daewoo Precision Industries]]

* [[FN Herstal]]

* [[FN Herstal]]

* [[Elisco]]

* [[Elisco]]

* [[U.S. Ordnance]]

* [[U.S. Ordnance]]

|unit_cost=

| unit_cost =  

|production_date=1959–present<ref name=Hogg2000_p291/>

| production_date = 1959–present<ref name=Hogg2000_p291/>

|number=about 8 [[million]]<ref name=colt_customers>[http://www.colt.com/mil/customers.asp Customers / Weapon users]. Colt Weapon Systems. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630091004/http://www.colt.com/mil/customers.asp |date=2015-06-30 }}</ref>

| number = about 8 [[million]]<ref name=colt_customers>[http://www.colt.com/mil/customers.asp Customers / Weapon users]. Colt Weapon Systems. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630091004/http://www.colt.com/mil/customers.asp |date=2015-06-30 }}</ref>

|variants=See ''[[#Variants|Variants]]''

| variants = See ''[[#Variants|Variants]]''

<!-- General specifications -->

<!-- General specifications -->| spec_type = [[Selective fire]]/[[assault rifle]]

|spec_type=[[Selective fire]]/[[assault rifle]]

| spec_label = M16

|spec_label=M16

| weight = {{convert|7.18|lb|kg|2|abbr=on}} (unloaded)<br />{{convert|8.79|lb|kg|2|abbr=on}} (loaded)

|weight={{convert|7.18|lb|kg|2|abbr=on}} (unloaded)<br />{{convert|8.79|lb|kg|2|abbr=on}} (loaded)

| length = {{convert|39.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

|length={{convert|39.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| part_length = {{convert|20|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

|part_length={{convert|20|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge = [[5.56×45mm NATO]]

<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->  

| action = [[Gas-operated reloading|Gas-operated]], [[rotating bolt]] ([[direct impingement]])

|cartridge=[[5.56×45mm NATO]]

| rate = 12–15 rounds/min sustained<br />45–60 rounds/min semi-automatic<br />700–950 rounds/min cyclic

|action=[[Gas-operated reloading|Gas-operated]], [[rotating bolt]] ([[direct impingement]])

| velocity = {{convert|3110|ft/s|m/s|0|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.colt.com/mil/M16_2.asp |title=M15 5.56mm Rifle. Specifications |access-date=2014-05-26 |archive-date=2011-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725160425/http://www.colt.com/mil/M16_2.asp |url-status=bot: unknown }}. colt.com</ref>

|rate=12–15 rounds/min sustained<br />45–60 rounds/min semi-automatic<br />700–950 rounds/min cyclic

| range = 800 metersh

|velocity={{convert|3110|ft/s|m/s|0|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.colt.com/mil/M16_2.asp |title=M15 5.56mm Rifle. Specifications |access-date=2014-05-26 |archive-date=2011-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725160425/http://www.colt.com/mil/M16_2.asp |url-status=bot: unknown }}. colt.com</ref>

| max_range = 800 meters

|range={{convert|550|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} (point target)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peosoldier.army.mil/portfolio/#202 |title=M16A2/A4 rifle |publisher=peosoldier.army.mil |accessdate=29 July 2015 |archive-date=24 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724043400/http://www.peosoldier.army.mil/portfolio/#202 |url-status=dead }}</ref><br />{{convert|800|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} (area target)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army_board_study_guide_topics/m16a2/m16a2-study-guide.shtml |title=M16/A2 - 5.56 mm Semiautomatic Rifle |publisher=ArmyStudyGuide.com |accessdate=13 July 2014 |archive-date=6 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706211034/http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army_board_study_guide_topics/m16a2/m16a2-study-guide.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>

| feed = 20-round detachable box magazine:<br />{{convert|0.211|lb|g|abbr=on}} empty / {{convert|0.738|lb|g|abbr=on}} full<br />30-round detachable box magazine:<br />{{convert|0.257|lb|g|abbr=on}} empty / {{convert|1.06|lb|g|abbr=on}} full)<br />Beta C-Mag 100-round double-lobed drum:<br />{{convert|2.20|lb|g|abbr=on}} empty / {{convert|4.81|lb|g|abbr=on}} full)

|max_range={{convert|3600|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}

| sights = [[Iron sights]]

|feed=20-round detachable box magazine:<br />{{convert|0.211|lb|g|abbr=on}} empty / {{convert|0.738|lb|g|abbr=on}} full<br />30-round detachable box magazine:<br />{{convert|0.257|lb|g|abbr=on}} empty / {{convert|1.06|lb|g|abbr=on}} full)<br />Beta C-Mag 100-round double-lobed drum:<br />{{convert|2.20|lb|g|abbr=on}} empty / {{convert|4.81|lb|g|abbr=on}} full)

|sights=[[Iron sights]]

}}

}}

The '''M16''' is an [[assault rifle]] used by the United States since the [[Vietnam War]] in 1963,<ref>Rose, p. 380 & 392</ref> based on the [[AR-15]]. Since 1975, the M16 has been used by many different countries. First designed by [[Eugene Stoner]] in the United States of America, it is currently the standard [[infantry]] rifle used by the United States Military Forces. The rifle is being used by over 80 nations.

The '''M16''' is an [[assault rifle]] used by the United States since the [[Vietnam War]] in 1963,<ref>Rose, p. 380 & 392</ref> based on the [[AR-15]]. Since 1975, the M16 has been used by many different countries. First designed by [[Eugene Stoner]] in the United States of America, it is currently the standard [[infantry]] rifle used by the United States Military Forces. The rifle is being used by over 80 nations.

The M16 uses the [[5.56mm NATO]] (.223) caliber cartridge, with a muzzle velocity (the speed of bullet leaving the rifle) of over 900 meters per second (over 3,000 feet per second), and has a maximum effective range of 550 meters,<ref>U.S. Army Field Manual 3-22.9 Rifle Marksmanship Chapter 2</ref> with a rate of fire (how fast the gun shoots) of approximately 800 rounds per minute. The M16A1 can shoot semi automatic and fully automatic fire. The M16A2 can shoot semi automatic and three-round-burst fire. The M4A1 Carbine retains full automatic and semi automatic fire. The M16 normally holds 30 cartridges in its [[magazine (firearms)|magazine]], but there are variants of the magazine that hold only 20 or 10 cartridges.

The M16 uses the [[5.56mm NATO]] (.223) caliber cartridge, with a [[muzzle velocity]] (the speed of bullet leaving the rifle) of over 900 meters per second (over 3,000 feet per second), and has a maximum effective range of 600 yards,<ref>U.S. Army Field Manual 3-22.9 Rifle Marksmanship Chapter 2</ref> with a [[rate of fire]] (how fast the gun shoots) of approximately 800 rounds per minute. The M16A1 can shoot semi automatic and fully automatic fire. The M16A2 can shoot semi automatic and three-round-burst fire. The M4A1 Carbine retains full automatic and semi automatic fire. The M16 normally holds 30 cartridges in its [[magazine (firearms)|magazine]], but there are variants of the magazine that hold only 20 or 10 cartridges.

There is also an M16 variant for the Canadian Army called ''Diemaco C-7''. The ''Diemaco C-7'' rifles have maple leaves on the left side.

There is also an M16 variant for the Canadian Army called ''Diemaco C-7''. The ''Diemaco C-7'' rifles have maple leaves on the left side.

== Related pages ==

== Related pages ==

* [[AR-15]]

* [[AR-15]]

== References ==

== References ==

* Rose, Alexander. ''American Rifle-A Biography.'' 2008; Bantam Dell Publishing. {{ISBN|978-0-553-80517-8}}.

* Rose, Alexander. ''American Rifle-A Biography.'' 2008; Bantam Dell Publishing. {{ISBN|978-0-553-80517-8}}.