Table of Contents
Why did they replace the M14 with the M16?
The M16 was ordered as a replacement for the M14 by direction of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara in 1964, over the objection of the U.S. Army officers who had backed the M14. (Other factions within the Army research and development community had opposed the M14 and the 7.62×51mm round from the start.)
Which is better M16 or M14?
The M14 shoots 7.62×51 ammo and that is one of the primary points of contention when claiming the M16/AR15 is the better gun. On the other hand, the M16 (and its civilian version AR15) is more easily toted for long distances and, according to its many fans, is far more accurate at long range.
Why is the M16 a 3 round burst?
The M16A4’s three-round burst fire mode originated in post-Vietnam studies that recommended the feature in order to promote ammo conservation during combat, reasoning that the first three rounds fired in any automatic burst were the most likely to strike a target.
What is the difference between the M14 and the M16?
A comparison between the M14 and M16 is illustrative. The M14 rifle weighed 9.32 pounds unloaded to the AR-15/M-16’s 6.35 pounds. An M14 rifle with 120 rounds loaded in magazines weighed 18.93 pounds, while the M16 weighed just 11.04 pounds. The M16 was also nearly six inches shorter.
Why did the US military choose the M16?
The global nature of American conflicts also meant the military wanted a rifle which could be versatile and work in a range of environments. This desire for an all-in-one firearm led to the father of the M16, the M14. The M14 was essentially a new and improved M1 rifle.
When did they stop making the M14 rifle?
Word got to McNamara, who ordered production of the M14 to be halted in early 1963 and replaced by the AR-15, which would not long afterwards be further developed and renamed the M16. Stoner’s rifle had finally been officially adopted by the Army, albeit under a different name and with a few changes.
What was the original name of the M16 rifle?
After modifications (most notably, the charging handle was re-located from under the carrying handle like AR-10 to the rear of the receiver), the new redesigned rifle was renamed the Rifle, Caliber 5.56 mm, M16.