Happy Birthday, M16!!!

[82Rigger]

On February 8, 1964, the M16A1 (formerly XM16E1) was adopted
as the "A" standard rifle for the US armed forces, replacing the M14 as standard "A".

This is posted with the understanding that some of you combat vets MAY not consider this an event worthy of remembrance!

[SuperScout]

'Bout 483 years ago when I first enlisted, we had the M-14, with all kinds of rumors about the wonderfulness of the M-16-to-be. Later on, when I learned that the 1st Cav was the first unit in RVN to carry the M-16, I thought this would be incentive enough to ask for that assignment, rather than hump the large weight differential in ammo caused by the M-14. As things turned out, my actual unit was the 9th ID, and shortly after assignment there, was given the CAR-15 (?) to evaluate. Liked the shorter length, but was still a little charry about the cleanliness demands of the weapon and the ammo. I never failed me on either tour, and I did throw a few rounds down range. One I acquired on tour #2 was laterally transferred by one of my more larcenous troops from a USAF rescue chopper at Bien Hoa Air Base, right before we set off for Bu Dop Special Forces Camp.

[grunt66]

Shot an M-16 once but carried and liked the M-14 .

" Lateral Transfer" haven't heard that one in a awhile.

[usmcsgt65]

Carried the M-14 in Nam, tested fired the M-16. At the time, it did not have the stopping power of the M-14 or the knock-down range.
With improvements, the M-16 has become a good weapon.

[Andy]

The original M-16, those used by most in Vietnam in '67 frightened the hell out me. That's why I had such a close relationship with machineguns. I know they are much better now than then but still feel bitter they were "testing" them in combat. Just think in 20 years they will probably come up with a "smart" rifle.

Stay healthy,
Andy

[Keith_Hixson]

M-14 and M-16 . . . . . . The perfect combat rifle.

Keith

Qualified on both. Appreciated the accuracy of the M-14. M-16 was okay but never really became totally familiar with it.

[exlrrp]

Well for pig iron and plastic it wasn't all that bad. Light, easy to maintain
I made some good shots with M16s, they weren't all that bad. I wish I had one now but not enough to buy one.
Sometimes my skillsaw goes bad too, needs repair or a new one. Thats the way it is with things that get worked heavy in the dirt.

James

[exlrrp]

[i]

This is posted with the understanding that some of you combat vets MAY not consider this an event worthy of remembrance!

Steve:
Next time, get a shot of a naked woman holding one, it'd look much prettier

James

[39mto39g]

My first rifle in VN was a M-16 with a 3 prong flash suppresor and an aluminum bolt.
The firest time I HAD to fire it it fired 3 shots and then went "CLICK"
Click, what the hell was that, Two bullets were trying to be in the same place at the same time.
Not very long after that the aluminum bolts were replaced with cast iron and I never experianced any more jamming.
I shot 3 or 4 hundred bullets at the VC and 300,000 at trees.

Ron

[DMZ-LT]

After the first " click" I carried an AK.Have an SKS now