The History and Evolution of the M-16
“This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life”. Written by Maj. Gen. W. H. Rupertus (“Marine Corps Creed”). The soldier cares for his own rifle deeply. Even though there are so many rifles just like that one, his rifle is his very own, like his child.
The M-16, also known as the “Black Rifle,” has had a major impact in recent American history. It has been used in a countless number battles dating back to the Vietnam War and since then it has become one of the most famous rifles in modern history. When the Vietnam War started, soldiers needed a gun that was lightweight and reliable. At the time, …show more content…
In the 1950’s the engineering staff of Armalite was strong with Eugene Stoner, James Sullivan, and Robert Fermont (“A Historical Review”). Eugene Stoner is known for developing America’s classic assault rifle, the M-16. Stoner’s work began in the early 1950’s while he was serving in World War II. When studies showed that soldiers were not pulling the trigger on their weapon because of the pressure of combat, he started to develop a weapon that would fire repeatedly with a single pull of the trigger (“Eugene …show more content…
The M-16A1 had a chrome plated chamber to help improve rust resistance, it had a buttstock that would hold your cleaning kit and a magazine which held 30 rounds. This rifle performed well during the 60’s and 70’s, and in the late 1970’s companies were trying to replace the M-16. The M16A2 had an increased barrel diameter and the twist rate was changed from 1:12 to 1:7 to accommodate the new round adopted by the military. This new round extended the range of the rifle, and the steel core bullet could be propelled at over 3000 fps. The rear sight was modified so that the shooter could make more accurate adjustments, a case deflator was added to prevent brass from hitting left handed shooters and the old triangular handguards were replaced with rounded ones. Instead of it being full-automatic, it shot off a burst of three rounds with each pull of the trigger for more control and greater accuracy (“AR-15”).
The AR-15 rifles are very popular among civilian shooters and the law enforcements because of their accurateness and modularity. Its receiver is made out of aircraft grade7075-T6 aluminum making it lightweight and corrosion-resistant. The design allows the use of different accessories like a vertical forward grip, electronic sight systems, lighting systems, night vision devices, sound suppressors, etc. The AR-15 rifles modular design, which uses drop in parts, also makes repairing it easier
“This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life”. Written by Maj. Gen. W. H. Rupertus (“Marine Corps Creed”). The soldier cares for his own rifle deeply. Even though there are so many rifles just like that one, his rifle is his very own, like his child.
The M-16, also known as the “Black Rifle,” has had a major impact in recent American history. It has been used in a countless number battles dating back to the Vietnam War and since then it has become one of the most famous rifles in modern history. When the Vietnam War started, soldiers needed a gun that was lightweight and reliable. At the time, …show more content…
In the 1950’s the engineering staff of Armalite was strong with Eugene Stoner, James Sullivan, and Robert Fermont (“A Historical Review”). Eugene Stoner is known for developing America’s classic assault rifle, the M-16. Stoner’s work began in the early 1950’s while he was serving in World War II. When studies showed that soldiers were not pulling the trigger on their weapon because of the pressure of combat, he started to develop a weapon that would fire repeatedly with a single pull of the trigger (“Eugene …show more content…
The M-16A1 had a chrome plated chamber to help improve rust resistance, it had a buttstock that would hold your cleaning kit and a magazine which held 30 rounds. This rifle performed well during the 60’s and 70’s, and in the late 1970’s companies were trying to replace the M-16. The M16A2 had an increased barrel diameter and the twist rate was changed from 1:12 to 1:7 to accommodate the new round adopted by the military. This new round extended the range of the rifle, and the steel core bullet could be propelled at over 3000 fps. The rear sight was modified so that the shooter could make more accurate adjustments, a case deflator was added to prevent brass from hitting left handed shooters and the old triangular handguards were replaced with rounded ones. Instead of it being full-automatic, it shot off a burst of three rounds with each pull of the trigger for more control and greater accuracy (“AR-15”).
The AR-15 rifles are very popular among civilian shooters and the law enforcements because of their accurateness and modularity. Its receiver is made out of aircraft grade7075-T6 aluminum making it lightweight and corrosion-resistant. The design allows the use of different accessories like a vertical forward grip, electronic sight systems, lighting systems, night vision devices, sound suppressors, etc. The AR-15 rifles modular design, which uses drop in parts, also makes repairing it easier