M16 rifle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rifle, 5.56 mm, M16
From top to bottom: M16A1, M16A2, M4A1, M16A4
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1963–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Vietnam War Laotian Civil War Cambodian Civil War The Troubles Cambodian–Vietnamese War Communist Insurgency War Lebanese Civil War Salvadoran Civil War Falklands War 1982 Lebanon War Invasion of Grenada South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000) Bougainville Civil War United States invasion of Panama Oka Crisis Persian Gulf War Yugoslav Wars Somali Civil War Operation Deny Flight Operation Joint Endeavor Nepalese Civil War 1996 Gangneung submarine infiltration incident Kosovo War War in Afghanistan Iraq War 2006 Lebanon War Mexican Drug War 2010 Rio de Janeiro Security Crisis Syrian civil war Gaza–Israel conflict 2013 Lahad Datu standoff 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine Iraq War (2014–present)
Production history
Designer	Eugene Stoner and L. James Sullivan
Designed	1956
Manufacturer	Colt's Manufacturing Company Daewoo Precision Industries FN Herstal H&R Firearms General Motors Hydramatic Division Elisco U.S. Ordnance
Produced	1959–present
No. built	about 8 million
Variants	See Variants
Specifications (M16)
Mass	7.18 lb (3.26 kg) (unloaded) 8.79 lb (3.99 kg) (loaded)
Length	39.5 in (1,003 mm)
Barrel length	20 in (508 mm)
Cartridge	5.56×45mm NATO
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt (direct impingement)
Rate of fire	12–15 rounds/min sustained 45–60 rounds/min semi-automatic 700–950 rounds/min cyclic
Muzzle velocity	3,110 ft/s (948 m/s)
Effective firing range	550 m (601 yd) (point target) 800 m (875 yd) (area target)
Maximum firing range	3,600 m (3,937 yd)
Feed system	20-round detachable box magazine: 0.211 lb (96 g) empty / 0.738 lb (335 g) full 30-round detachable box magazine: 0.257 lb (117 g) empty / 1.06 lb (480 g) full) Beta C-Mag 100-round double-lobed drum: 2.20 lb (1,000 g) empty / 4.81 lb (2,180 g) full)
Sights	Iron sights

The M16 is a type of assault rifle that has been used by the United States military since 1963. It was first used during the Vietnam War. The M16 is based on an earlier design called the AR-15.

Since 1975, many other countries around the world have also started using the M16. It was designed by Eugene Stoner in the United States. Today, it is the main rifle used by the United States Military Forces. More than 80 countries use the M16 rifle.

About the M16 Rifle

The M16 rifle uses a special type of bullet called the 5.56mm NATO cartridge. This bullet is also known as a .223 caliber. When the bullet leaves the rifle, it travels very fast. This speed is called the muzzle velocity. For the M16, it's over 900 meters per second (more than 3,000 feet per second).

The M16 can hit targets up to 550 meters away very accurately. It can also shoot very quickly. The rate of fire (how fast it shoots) is about 800 rounds per minute.

How the M16 Shoots

Different versions of the M16 can shoot in different ways:

• The M16A1 can shoot in semi-automatic mode. This means one bullet is fired each time you pull the trigger. It can also shoot in fully automatic mode, where it keeps firing as long as you hold the trigger.
• The M16A2 can shoot in semi-automatic mode. It also has a three-round-burst mode. In this mode, three bullets are fired each time you pull the trigger.
• The M4A1 Carbine is a shorter version. It can shoot in both full-automatic and semi-automatic modes.

Magazines and Ammunition

The M16 usually holds 30 bullets in its magazine. A magazine is a container that holds the bullets. However, there are also magazines that hold 20 or even 10 bullets.

Different Versions of the M16

There are several versions of the M16 rifle. Each version has small differences or improvements.

One special version is made for the Canadian Army. It is called the Diemaco C-7. These rifles have a maple leaf symbol on their left side.

Images for kids

• 

  A soldier from the 101st Airborne Division cleans his XM16E1 rifle during the Vietnam War in 1966.

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  This image shows the direct impingement part of the M16's gas system.

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  The front cover of a manual called The M16A1 Rifle – Operation and Preventive Maintenance. This manual was given to American soldiers during the Vietnam War. The art is by Will Eisner.

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  A close-up view of the M16A2. You can see its adjustable rear sight, a part that helps deflect empty bullet casings, and the forward assist.

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  A NATO E-type Silhouette Target, used for shooting practice.

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  On the left is a 20-round magazine from the Vietnam War era. On the right is a modern 30-round NATO STANAG magazine.

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  An improved tan-colored part inside the M16 magazine, called a follower.

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  A soldier loading an M203 40 mm grenade launcher attached to an M16 rifle with a practice round.

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  The M234 Riot Control Launcher, which can be attached to an M16.

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  An early M16 rifle without a forward-assist. Notice its "duckbill" flash suppressor and triangular handguard.

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  An M16A1 rifle with a 30-round magazine.

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  An M16A4 rifle with an ACOG sight, a railed hand guard, and a foregrip.

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  A US Air Force Combat Control Team member with a GAU-5 carbine, which is a shorter M16 version, and a large flash suppressor.

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  US Marines firing an M4A1 carbine (in front) and two M16A2s (in back) during a live fire exercise.

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  A Canadian soldier firing the current C7A2 rifle at a shooting range. It has a C79A2 sight.

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  A US Navy Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle, another variant of the M16 family.

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  Afghan National Army soldiers holding M16A2 rifles.

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  Canadian soldiers on patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan, carrying C7 rifles (M16 type).

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  A Malaysian Army soldier with an M16A1 that has an M203 grenade launcher attached during a military exercise in 2008.

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  Female soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces training with M16A1 rifles that have A2 style handguards.

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  Philippine marines using M16A1 rifles with A2 style handguards during a military exercise.

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  South Korean soldiers throwing M16 rifles with bayonets into the air during a celebration ceremony.

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  Vietnamese Army (ARVN) Rangers using M16s to defend Saigon during the Tet Offensive.

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  A United States Marine firing an M16A4 rifle equipped with an ACOG.

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  Indonesian Presidential Security Forces holding M16A1 and SS1 rifles while accompanying a flag hoisting ceremony.

See also

In Spanish: Fusil M16 para niños