Ar-15 Vs M-16 - Aside from the civilian and military name what is the real difference between the M16 and the AR15? Why do we separate the names of something similar, and which ones we can and cannot treat as common people?
The AR-15 traces its lineage back to 1956, when Armalite (then based in Costa Mesa, California), and Eugene Stoner designed a lightweight, gas-operated rifle specifically for the United States military. However, due to financial problems (probably related to the production of machine guns in California), they made one of the most difficult business decisions in history, and sold the design to Colt in 1959, along with the rights to name AR-15, and AR. -10.
Ar-15 Vs M-16
Today, the AR-15 is America's most popular handgun. With an estimated 10,000,000+ in people's hands, it has earned the well-deserved moniker, "America's Rifle". With so many variations now available from Pistol to SBR, or duty rifle to SPR or hunting variety, the AR-15 has evolved into a platform perfect for all men, and all their needs. So how exactly is the M-16 different?
Ar15/m16/m4 Family M16a3 Trumpeter 01911
A Vietnamese soldier with an XM16E1, fires automatically, while puffing on a cigarette. You will never be this sweet.
After Colt won its manufacturing contract, the M-16 was first shipped to overseas forces in Vietnam in 1964. Although it got off to a rocky start due to magazine stories that were highly suspect of the gun (although the gun had some issues related to the chrome-less chamber at first as well), it became one of the most popular military weapons. all the time. With four variations in service in the United States Army (yes, there are still rear units with the M16A1), the rifle has been developed over time to meet the ever-evolving needs and adaptations of our warfighters in abroad.
The most recent adaptation, the M16A4, was completed in 1997, giving our soldiers the ability to mount equipment on top rails and guards, giving them a weapon that is more adaptable to combat. Selective fire varies between Semi/Full Auto, and Semi/Burst throughout the year. However, one thing that hasn't changed is its size. The M-16 still has a 20” barrel from its inception, which has become difficult as our wars have moved into dense, urban environments.
Tracing its roots to the compact XM177 and GAU-5 of the Vietnam War, the M4 was first developed in 1984 and officially adopted in 1991. Originally issued primarily to Special Operations troops, the M4 (and M4A1) has additional duties. an integrated weapons platform for urban environments, and for vehicle operators with little room for a full-size pistol.
M 16 Vs Ar 15: 8 Biggest Differences
Since the mid-2000s, the M4 has been adopted by the entire US Armed Forces. The Marine Corps was the last to participate, but eventually switched to using the M4 and the wider force. But with all these different guns from the same place, what's the difference?
The Lower Receiver is an AR15 on top, with an M16 lower on the bottom. You can see the difference in size
So what's the difference between an M16 or an AR15? There is a lot of misinformation out there, or just information that is repeated so often that it is considered fact. The easiest way to look at it is this: Every M16 is an AR15, but not every AR15 is an M16.
Most people will tell you that the AR15 is only semi-auto, and the M16 is full auto. While it may be helpful to distinguish the two for social purposes, it is not necessarily true. The original AR15 (before it was taken out of military service) was fully automatic, and many have been since. And what most people don't realize, is that the military also tested automatic M16s, which later received names like the legendary Mk12 Mod 0.
The Complete Ar 15
The most notable difference is that the standard AR15 lower receiver does not have a third trigger pin hole for automatic search in addition to the safety selector. The trigger packet is also compressed into separate sizes to prevent automatic search reception. However, this is not the rule. Many companies still sell their bottoms with M16 size pockets, still missing the proverbial "third-hole". Drilling that third hole is what legally changes your AR-15 from an automatic rifle, to an illegal machine gun.
Well, let's go ahead and break it down into a fraction. You can own an M16 as a civilian depending on your country's laws, however, since there are so many available (none available to civilians after 1986), the price is high. I'm talking $25,000-$30,000 and up. That said, it's really not a bad investment. Prices have doubled over the past 10 years or so, currently earning better returns than the stock market.
While we won't sell you an M16, we can definitely help you build a quality rifle with an AR 15 80 lower kit, one of our Build Kits, or a Complete Upper. As the industry leaders in 80% Lowers and Jigs, we have everything you need to start your next AR-15 build in the comfort of your own home.
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The Complete Ar 15/m16 Sourcebook
The AR-15 was designed in 1956 by Eugene Stoner of ArmaLite, an American small arms company based in California. This selective, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle was designed to provide the infantry with a new and lighter, more manoeuvrable rifle than the larger 7.62mm NATO rifles previously used by the military. Facing financial problems, ArmaLite sold the AR-15 to Colt in 1959. Colt took over the design and made several improvements to improve accuracy and reliability. The gun saw trials as part of a competition to replace the 7.62mm military rifle. Based on the .308-caliber AR-10, the smaller AR-15 was beloved by military brass for its controllability, ammo capacity, and impressive damage capability.
Colt modified the AR-15 the M16A1 and issued it for service in Vietnam in 1964. The M16 was designed by Colt to be more than a fully automatic AR-15 but today, there are several configurations available for both guns. The M4 carbine was introduced later, further blurring the lines between Stoner's semi- and fully automatic rifles.
The mil-spec AR and M16 use 7075-T6 forged receivers. Almost all AR-15 barrels are made from the same 4150 steel (CMV) used in the M16 barrel. Both use a stainless steel firing pin and gas tube, and most AR-15s use the front sight post/gas block combo of the M16 shown above. Almost all AR-15s also use the M16 bolt carrier group.
The materials used in the lower receiver are almost the same here. The M16 and AR-15 use the same polymer buttstock, molded buffer tube, and forged aluminum (7075-T6) for their bottoms. That's the only thing these two guns have in common. Let's look at how the M16 differs from the AR-15 and we'll also cover the M4 carbine.
M16a2 5.56 Rifle
There are three main differences between these two guns. Let's examine how the magic that happens inside the lower receiver separates the semiautomatic AR from the fully automatic M16.
The M16 lower parts kit uses a separate trigger, connector, hammer, and safety selector lever and automatic search to provide three-round burst fire that is fully automatic. The AR-15 lower parts kit cannot provide these two functions and can only accept semiautomatic fire -- one round per trigger.
The M16 safety lever is designed with additional channels and shoulders to provide safe, compact, and fully automatic operation.
This little lever is the M16 auto sear. It sits above the safety lever and behind the hammer and trigger, allowing the M16 parts kit to provide all three modes of fire.
Illustration Of An Armalite M 16 Colt Ar 15 Assault Rifle With American Stars And Stripes Flag Crossed Set Inside Ellipse Viewed From Side With Words Usa. Royalty Free Svg, Cliparts, Vectors, And Stock
To allow the automatic search to provide fully automatic functionality, the M16 bolt carrier must be made separate from the "commercial" AR-15 bolt carrier group. Extra weight behind the carrier engages the sear and helps reduce felt recoil during automatic fire.
Shown with the safety lever removed, the lower receiver of the AR-15 (even "mil-spec") does not have the necessary clearance to accept the M16's automatic search. The part highlighted in red must be milled or cut to make room for the search. Doing so is illegal, as machine guns cannot be manufactured without a special license and case-by-case permit from the ATF.
There was an automatic "check-in".
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