M16

Type: Assault rifle

Place of origin: United States

Service history

In service: 1963¨Cpresent

Wars: Vietnam War¨Cpresent

Production history

Designer: Eugene Stoner, L. James Sullivan

Designed: 1957

Manufacturer:

Colt Defense

FN Herstal

H & R Firearms

General Motors Hydramatic Division

Produced: 1960¨Cpresent

Number built: approx. 8 million

Specifications (M16A2)

Weight: 7.8 lb (3.5 kg) unloaded, 8.79 lb (4.0 kg) loaded

Length: 39.5 in (1,000 mm)

Barrel length: 20 in (508 mm)

Cartridge: 5.56x45mm NATO

Action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt

Rate of fire: 700¨C950 rounds/min, cyclic depending on model

Muzzle velocity: 3,200 ft/s (975 m/s) (M16A1), 3,050 ft/s (930 m/s) (M16A2)

Effective range: 600 yards (550 m)

Feed system: Various STANAG magazines