M16A2
Unofficial
names/slang: n/a
Function:
Semi/Full Auto, gas operated rifle
Date
deployed: unavailable
Contractor:
Colt
Unit cost:
$586
Length:
39.63"
Weight:
7.9 lbs. (empty); 8.79 lbs. w/ 30 round magazine
Rate of Fire:
Sustained: 12-15 rpm; Rapid Fire: 45 rpm; Cyclic:
approx. 700-950 rpm
Ammo type:
5.56mm (30 rounds)
Guidance:
Visual
Range:
approx. 800 m (max.) |
|
 |
Features:
The M16A2 5.56mm rifle is a lightweight, air-cooled,
gas-operated, magazine-fed, shoulder- or hip-fired
weapon designed for either automatic fire (3-round
bursts) or semiautomatic fire (single shot) through
the use of a selector lever. The weapon has a fully
adjustable rear sight. The bottom of the trigger
guard opens to provide access to the trigger while
wearing winter mittens. The upper receiver/barrel
assembly has a fully adjustable rear sight and a
compensator which helps keep the muzzle down during
firing. The steel bolt group and barrel extension
are designed with locking lugs which lock the bolt
group to the barrel extension allowing the rifle to
have a lightweight aluminum receiver.
Background: The M16A2 rifle is a
product improvement of the M16A1 rifle. The
improvements are:
- A heavier,
stiffer barrel than the barrel of the M16A1
- A redesigned
handguard, using two identical halves, with a
round contour which is sturdier and provides a
better grip when holding the rifle
- A new buttstock
and pistol grip made of a tougher injection
moldable plastic that provides much greater
resistance to breakage
- An improved
rear sight which can be easily adjusted for
windage and range
- A modified
upper receiver design to deflect ejected
cartridges, and preclude the possibility of the
ejected cartridges hitting the face of a
left-handed firer
- A burst control
device, that limits the number of rounds fired
in the automatic mode to three per trigger pull,
which increases accuracy while reducing
ammunition expenditure
- A muzzle
compensator, designed to reduce position
disclosure and improve controllability and
accuracy in both burst and rapid semi-automatic
fire
- A heavier
barrel with a 1 in 7 twist to fire NATO standard
SS 109 type (M855) ammunition which is also
fired from the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon
(SAW). This further increases the effective
range and penetration of the rifle cartridge.
The M16A2 will also shoot the older M193
ammunition designed for a 1 in 12 twist
|
|
|
