m-16a2
Mission
Deter and, if necessary, compel adversaries by enabling individuals and small units to engage targets with accurate, lethal, direct fire.
Entered Army Service
1964
Description and Specifications
A lightweight, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle designed for either automatic or semi-automatic fire through use of a selector lever. There are four variants - the M-16A1/A2/A3/A4. The M-16A2 incorporates improvements in iron sight, pistol grip, stock and overall combat effectiveness.
Accuracy is enhanced by incorporating an improved muzzle compensator, three-round burst control, and a heavier barrel; and by using the heavier NATO-standard ammunition, which is also fired by the squad automatic weapon. The M-16A3 is identical to the M-16A2 but has a removable carrying handle that is mounted on a Picatinny Rail (for better mounting of optics) and is without burst control. The M-16A4 is identical to the M-16A2 except for the removable carrying handle and Picatinny Rail.
Caliber: 5.56 mm
Weight: 8.8 lbs (includes sling & one loaded magazine)
Range: 800 meters for an area target / 550 meters for a point target
Manufacturer
Colt Manufacturing and Fabrique Nationale
m-4 carbine
Mission
Deter, and if necessary, compel adversaries by enabling individuals and small units to engage targets with accurate, lethal, direct fire.
Entered Army Service
1997
Description and Specifications
A compact version of the M16A2 rifle, with a collapsible stock, a flat-top upper receiver accessory rail and a detachable handle/rear aperture site assembly. The M4 enables a soldier operating in close quarters to engage targets at extended range with accurate, lethal fire. It achieves more than 85 percent commonality with the M16A2 rifle and will replace all .45 caliber M3 submachine guns, selected M9 pistols, and M16 series rifles.
Caliber: 5.56 mm
Weight: 7.5 lbs (loaded weight with sling & one magazine)
Max effective range: 600 m (area target) 500 m (point target)
Manufacturer
Colt Manufacturing (Hartford, CT)
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