The M16 is prized for it's lightweight parts, it's reliability in the field, it's ability to be easily and quickly maintained in the field with minimal use of tools (all of which are used for cleaning, a full field stripping can be performed without tools), and it's accuracy. It also shares common parts with a large number of rifles, making it easy to replace parts. It also uses standard NATO 5.56x45mm rounds, making sharing ammunition with other forces easy.
The M16A4 is the evolution of Colt's Manufacturing LLC's M16A2, equipped with a removable carrying handle, and full length quad picatinny rail for mounting optics and other ancillary devices. Beyond these additions, the action and lethality of the rifle are identical to it's predecessor.
The M16A4 is a gas operated, air cooled assault rifle intended to be an infantryman's primary weapon used to engage targets at ranges out to 800 meters.
- Length: 39.63"
- Weight: 8.79lbs (w/ 30 round magazine)
- Muzzle Velocity: 853m/s
- Rate of fire-
- Magazine Capacity: 30 NATO 5.56x45mm rounds
- Action: Gas operated, air cooled.
- Trigger Group: Safe, Semi, Burst
- Replacement Cost: $586
Improvements over the M16A2
The M16A4, being a standard M16A2 with a new rail system for mounting optics and accessories, operates as an M16A2 would, but with the added benefit of much better optics systems that allow users to engage targets more accurately and quickly than was previously possible with the M16A2
The M16A2 is the basis for the M16A3 and M16A4 variants, as well as the M4 Carbine:
- The M16A3 is an A2 with an A1 trigger group, trading the three-round-burst for fully automatic fire. It was mostly used by Navy security and special forces, including SEALS.
- The M16A4 is the current generation of the M16, and is the standard issue rifle for many US Service members along with the M4. It is nearly identical to the M16A2, but with lighter parts and an improved rail system that allows for a more modular weapon system. As a result of this improved flat top receiver, a number of advanced optics systems such as ACOG and red dot sights can be attached to the weapon.
- The M4 Carbine is an M16A2 with a shortened barrel to be used in tight spaces and close quarters. It is generally used frequently by the US Army (where it is slated to replace the M16 rifle), and as a replacement for the M9 carried by Marine Corps officers and Navy Corpsmen E5 and below.
As Seen in Video Games
The M16A4 is as common in modern military video games as they are in modern military across the world. However there are often significant differences between video game M16 variants and their real life counterparts.
Chances are, if you see an M16 rifle in a video game today, you will be seeing the M16A4 variant, as it allows for a wide range of optics to be attached, and is the standard rifle for large portions of American Armed Forces.
Many shooters do not allow weapons to select different firing modes, and as a result they must designate a single firing action for M16 variants. For example the M16A4 in Call of Duty is a three round burst weapon only. Meanwhile the M4 Carbine is actually the uncommon fully automatic M4A1.
As well as limited firing modes, one does not see video games requiring you to adjust the rear sights to get a proper Zero, and often the seperate aperture used for long range engagement is only for show. On an actual M16A4, the sights must be adjusted for windage, range to target, and even environmental conditions such as altitude or extreme temperatures which can have significant effects on the BZO (Battlesight Zero) of a rifle.