Colt M16A2

History of the Colt M16A2

The M16A2 became the design successor to the much-maligned M16, which debuted in the US military starting in 1959 (especially during the Vietnam War). This model was developed at the request of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) as the combat experience of the prototype XM16E1 and the production-grade M16A1 model proved to be highly susceptible to battlefield abuse. As such, the M16A2 became a major overhaul of the original, including changes such as a new rifle pattern on the barrel assembly and a reinforced barrel, support for a single-shot 40mm M203 grenade launcher, a new adjustable sight mechanism, improved flash Suppressors that are too susceptible to collecting debris are, modified round/ribbed front handguards (as opposed to triangular), slightly modified ergonomic pistol grip, lengthened and reinforced with integrated recoil Polymer shoulder rest, and receiver - right hand grenade deflector mounted near the ejection port.

The fully automatic fire capability of the original M16 has been abandoned in favor of a more controllable three-round burst firing mode as well as standard semi-automatic fire. The muzzle rise is significantly reduced, and the use of plastic results in a lighter final product. The U.S. Marine Corps was the first U.S. service to adopt the modified M16A2 in the mid-1980s, and other services followed suit.

The M16A2 itself has since been replaced by the similarly improved M16A4, although it is still widely used in U.S. inventories and allies around the world.

Despite the many changes, the M16A2 retains the proven direct impact pneumatic pivot system of the original M16. It also fires the standard 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, although it comes from a longer, curved 30-round detachable magazine. It retains the common (and easily recognizable) form of the M16/AR-15, including its two-piece (upper and lower) receiver system, separate pistol grip with integrated trigger set, handguards that wrap the gas system, and Part of the barrel with a triangular shoulder rest. The carrying loop allows the use of shoulder straps for transport.

The handle ring is also slightly larger. The charging handle remains on the back of the upper receiver.

The M16A3 brand was introduced in 1996 to cover the fully automatic variant of the M16A2 and the trigger group of the M16A1, allowing for both semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes. A detachable carrying handle allows the use of various optics and sights.

Production is limited, and their introduction is likewise limited to special forces. The M231 became another form related to the M16, a stripped-down M16 for firing from the vehicle's port.

Although the Colt Advanced Battle Rifle (ACR) never entered production, it was tested to the limit as the U.S. Army's next-generation infantry weapon. The ACR shares the common M16 "look" and was built from the existing M16A2 production model.

The M4 Carbine is nothing more than a compact variant of the M16 series - based on the evolved M16A2 model.

The M16A4 differs from the previous M16 form in that it has a removable carrying handle that can accommodate mounted accessories such as optical sights. The barrel is also designed to mount an M203 40mm grenade launcher.

The M16 is produced by Colt Defense, Daewoo Precision Industries (South Korea), FN Herstal (Belgium), H&R Firearms, General Motors Hydramatic Division, Elisco and U.S. Ordnance. More than 10 million M16 units (including all models) have been produced since 1959. The weapon was used in combat operations in the Vietnam War (and its subsequent regional civil war), hand grenades, Panama, the 1991 Gulf War, the Somali Civil War, and - most recently - the US-led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq following the events of 9/11 .

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes