Quote:
Originally Posted by Brother in Arms
This is a post I have been thinking about writing for a while. Most people here may already know the information but I thought I would clear up the basic differences between the M16, M16A1 and M16A2 by there basic features.
M16 Features:
Windage Adjustable rear site with fixed carry handle
No Forward Assist on upper receiver
No Shell deflector on upper reciever
Safe , Semi and Auto selection
No fence around magazine release button on lower reciever
cylindrical hand gaurd slip ring
Early models have 3 prong flash hider
Light contour barrel
20 round magazine standard
Early models have no buttrap for cleaning kit
Late Models have buttrap for cleaning kit
triangular hand gaurd
M16A1 Features:
Windage Adjustable rear sight with fixed carry handle
Forward Assist on upper reciever, tear drop shape
No shell deflector on upper reciever
Safe, Semi and Auto selection
No fence around magazine relase button on lower reciever
Cylindrical hand gaurd slip ring
Early models have 3 prong flash hider
Late models have birdcage flash hider
light contour barrel
20 round magazine standard
Buttrap for cleaning kit
triangular hand gaurd
M16A2
Windage and elavation adjustable rear sight with fixed carry handle
Forward assist on upper reciever, round shape
Shell deflector on upper reciever
Safe , Semi and Burst Selection
Full fensce around magazine release button on lower reciever
Reninforcement to rear of lower reciever
Convex hand gaurd slip ring
Enhanced Birdcage flash hider
light contour barrel under hand gaurd, heavy contour outside of hand gaurd
30 round magazine standard
Buttrap for cleaning kit
Round ribbed hand gaurd
one finger groove added to pistol grip
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Really useful but I would leave out the magazine as a feature as that depends entirely on year (as far back as Vietnam, some M177s were issued with 30 round mags).
There is also (especially in TW2000) the possibility of weapons taking bits from different series - M16A1s with A2 handguards for example are common. not just on TV/film but also by some militaries.