The Marines were enthusiastic about the M16A1E1’s enhanced performance, and it was type classified as the M16A2 rifle during September of 1982. These modified weapons were tested by U.S. The updated rifles were assembled on M16A1 lower receivers and designated as M16A1E1 rifles. The Joint Services Small Arms Program approved a rifle evaluation program and ordered fifty Product Improvement Program (PIP) M16s. In order to have their rifles stand up to rough use, they requested a heavier barrel, and more durable plastic stocks and forearms. During training, the Marines were hard on their weapons, particularly during bayonet drills. The Marines wanted a 3-round burst feature in place of the full-automatic function. They wanted a rear sight adjustable out to a range of 800 meters, a more accurate cartridge, and one that could penetrate military helmets and body armor at 800 meters. Marine Corps, who pride themselves on marksmanship and a tradition of “Every Marine a Rifleman.” During September of 1979, Marine Corps representatives met with Colt to discuss their ideas on how to improve the M16A1 rifle. The origins of the M16A2 rifle began with a request from the U.S. This is part III of a three-part series on the evolution of the M16 rifle. Despite the rifle’s problematic beginning during the Vietnam War, it evolved into a world-class military weapon, and its 5.56mm cartridge has become the NATO standard. NARA PHOTOGRAPHĪfter successfully evolving from the XM16E1, the Colt M16A1 rifle, adopted during 1967, continued in service until 1983. The Army began replacing its M16A1 rifles in 1986. Army soldier on the firing range with an M16A2 rifle. Testing AR-15 Gas Rings - School of the American Rifle Chad from School of the American Rifle shows methods how to test your AR-15 bolt's gas rings and why testing a one-piece AR-15 gas ring can be difficult.A U.S.Best AR-15 Upper Receivers - What to Look For What is the best AR-15 upper receiver for your next build? Author/Gunsmith Todd Gimian gives us an overview of what to look for in an upper receiver, as well as….Dirty Bird RECCE & Dirty Bird MCF-A Ambidextrous Lower… For the past year, my go-to build has been a simple, reliable rifle put together using a Dirty Bird complete upper and lower I configured via the website.Cry Havoc Tactical QRB Kit -Full-Size AR in the Smallest of… Looking to make your AR as compact as possible while still retaining reliability and a barrel length thats not absurdly short? In that case, the Cry Havoc Tactical QRB kit….Precision Rifle Shooting Tips - Fundamentals for Success… We expand beyond the basics to learn some more advanced tips for precision shooting, and what it takes to take your shooting to the next level.For those not wanting to source parts, an ideal, affordable approach might be acquiring one of these… Brownells Retro Rifles - An Overview with Roy Hill We've seen a lot of builders warm to the idea of 'retro' builds.

M16a1 rifle blueprint