USMCWeapons.com
My Experience
The M16 has been the standard weapon of choice for the Marine Corps for over 30 years. I have been using the M16A2 since I came into the Marine Corps back in 1986 and find the rifle quite able to stand up to the demands of the infantry. I have used it to make litters to carry wounded Marines (in training only), as a lifting device to pull a fellow Marine up a hill or over a short wall, to pound stakes into the ground when a proper tool was not available, in addition to the more common use-as a rifle for shooting.
I have qualified expert with the rifle year after year (as one would expect of an infantry Marine). The qualification course is not all that difficult, however, not every instance of shooting takes place on a rifle range. This rifle works well in the jungles, the desert and cold weather with minimal upkeep. It just needs to be cleaned properly, which should take only a couple of hours or so after extensive shooting. This weapon, like many others in the Marines Corps, becomes an extension of oneself and one learns to carry it everywhere, maintaining the weapon, even when you would not maintain proper hygiene for yourself.
Even when the weapon was not taken care of, it still performed properly. I have broken several hand guards, a rear sight and the butt stock of a couple of these rifles, and the weapon has continued to function well. Almost all of the damage to the rifle was accomplished during long endurance courses, such as those in the Northern Training area in Okinawa, Japan, or long operations, such as a Combined Arms Exercise (CAX).
Opportunities for Improvement
An M16 with the shorter stock, or retracting stock would be handy at time. Especially during house clearing, or jungle patrolling. I worked with Air Force Search and Rescue team in the Philippines who had this version. I admired it from afar as I was pulling the rear sling swivel out of the vines ever few steps.
The M16 is also not very adaptive to new technology. The M16A2 does not allow the addition of night optics, inferred lasers (IR), flashlights other high speed, low drag gear on it. We have made it work so far, but nothing you put on that weapons right now is very durable. It breaks too easily and never stays set for very long. Nothing works like the iron site, but you need a scope, IR or other gear to easily pop on and pop off. You don't need fancy hex screws, wrenches, caps and Battle Site Zero (BZO) gear to mess with or loose. ( I hear there is an M16 replacement in the works which takes care of most of the existing problems with additional gear on the weapon. More on that as things firm up on the Marine Corps decision.)
This complaint is not really with the weapon itself, but with the sling that is issued with the weapon. I would prefer the snap sling over the existing standard "straight" sling we are issued. The existing sling does work, its just not optimal. The snap sling keeps the weapon attached to your body, in addition to allowing the Marine to move from the tactical carry to the alert and ready positions instantly. The other option is to just remove the sling. Removing the sling and taping down the front sling swivel maintains excellent noise disciple, but is not preferred. You never want to have to lay your weapon down or lean it up against a tree. Better to have a straight sling and keep it with you.
M16A2 Nomenclature
The M16A2 service rifle is a light weight. magazine fed, air cooled, gas operated, shoulder fired weapon, capable of firing either semi-automatic or three-round burst. (This information is burned into your head during book camp and the supporting infantry schools).
The characteristics of the M16A2 Service Rifle
Primary
function:
Infantry weapon
Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing and
Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing Inc.
Length: 39.63 inches (100.66
centimeters)
Weight, with 30 round magazine: 8.79
pounds (3.99 kilograms)
Bore diameter: 5.56mm (.233 inches)
Maximum effective range:
Area target:
2,624.8 feet (800
meters)
Point target: 1,804.5 feet (550
meters)
Muzzle velocity: 2,800 feet (853
meters) per second
Rates
of fire:
Cyclic: 800 rounds per minute
Sustained: 12-15 rounds per minute
Semiautomatic: 45 rounds per minute
Burst: 90 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds
Unit Replacement Cost: $586
Related Article:
Marines Need a New M16 Qualification Course of Fire
Works Cited
M16 Picture
Law enforcement. "M16A2." Colt. 5 January 2002. <http://www.colt.com>.
M16 straight sling Picture:
John Kaler. "U.S. M16 Sling." U.S. Slings. 5 January 2002, <http://www.rifleslings.com>.
M16 Snap Sling Picture:
Alternative Force. "Snap Shoot Assault Sling." Yahoo!. 5 January 2002,<http://shop.store.yahoo.com>.
M16 range and ship photos courtesy of Chief Skrdlant P.W.
Maines in Attack
During the winter training continues as an E company 2/24 Marine
takes position during an attack aboard Camp Dodge, Iowa.
Urban Warfare
During
annual training E Company 2/24 Marines attack combat town aboard Camp
Pendleton, California.
Vacation Cruise
E Company 2/24
Marines board the USS Cleveland in preparation of an amphibious
assault on the coast of Camp Pendleton, California.