Colt's Manufacturing Company · Assault-Rifle · Limited Production · 1964
| Weight (empty) | 2890 g (101.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 986 mm (38.82") |
| Barrel Length | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Height | 248 mm (9.76") |
| Width | 64 mm (2.52") |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Direct Impingement |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Muzzle Velocity | 991 m/s (3251 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1796 J (1325 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 460 m (503 yd) |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
Primary Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
The Colt M16 is a lightweight, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm that became the standard United States military service rifle in the mid-1960s, replacing the heavier M14. Originally designed by Eugene Stoner at ArmaLite as the AR-15, the design was sold to Colt in 1959 and adopted by the U.S. Air Force as the M16 in 1964. The improved M16A1 variant, featuring a forward assist, chrome-lined chamber, birdcage flash hider, and closed bolt operation, was ty...
Country of Origin: United States
Designer: Eugene Stoner