The M16 has been the nation's military rifle since 1964, longer than any other military rifle. During those 36 years, it has been carried in combat and on peacekeeping missions by American, allied and friendly soldiers to every corner of the world.Over thirty new pages added to this edition with up-to date information on the latest military developments in the M4, M16A3 and -A4, and M25 models, designated markman’s rifles, .22 caliber tactical rifles, and all new calibers in which the AR15s are chambered.)
The civilian version, the AR15 rifle, has been manufactured in the hundreds of thousands by more than a dozen different companies. It is the current National Match Service Rifle and the most popular target match rifle in use today.
The M16/AR15 Rifles by Joe Poyer provides a detailed examination of this famous rifle in both its military and civilian versions. Following a history of its development and the evolution of military tactics that guided its design, a comprehensive part-by-part examination of the rifle is provided.
Markings and codes for military and civilian rifles and carbines are deciphered and a six page table lists all models by all manufacturers currently in production, with specific features.
For those interested in competition, three AR15s were custom-built; a spacegun for long range bench rest matches, a service match rifle that complies with all current OCM and NRA competition rules and a .22 rimfire AR15 rifle that is not only amazingly accurate but is legal in California and other states that ban large capacity magazine, centerfire, semiautomatic rifles. The design and building process is thoroughly described for those wishing to build their own match rifles.
The M16/AR15 rifle is the last military rifle that Americans will be allowed to own. The M16's replacement, which incorporates a 20 mm grenade launcher, is already well-advanced in testing and is due to be introduced by mid-decade. But the AR15 rifle will remain the national match service rifle far into the foreseeable future.
