M4 V M16 - Some of the best shooting ever is outdoors with our favorite long guns!!! Most of you who follow the PSA blog know that we love to field questions from our readers. The nerds in us can't let those times talk about the history of firearms!!! Today we decided to answer a question from Jamila C. of Fairburn, GA. Jamila wanted to know more about the differences between the M16 and M4 platforms. Well, Jamila… you are in luck!!! At PSA we love to talk about guns, especially long guns!!!!
Jamila….before we begin, please understand that these two platforms are very similar in nature, as you can easily see from the above image! Historically, we want you to understand that the rifle platforms M16 and M4 Carbine are all semi-automatic rifles born in the beloved United States of America. Introduced into service with the US Army in 1964, the M16 was originally designed for a selective fire mode (can be manually switched between semi-automatic, short burst, and automatic fire potential). In 1994, the US Armed Forces decided to replace the M16 with the M4 (manufactured by Colt under the name XM4). The US Armed Forces and armed forces around the world now call on M4 style rifles to protect their lives and the lives of the citizens they protect.
M4 V M16
The M16 is often identified with a longer barrel than its counterpart, the M4. The M16 has a 16-inch barrel length, while the M4 has a 14.5-inch barrel length. This shorter barrel length made the rifle lighter (among other things) and led to the adoption of the M4 over the M16 in the mid-1990s. Both rifles accept any standard STANAG magazine (that includes G.I. Mags, P-Mags, Lancer, DD. , the list goes on!!!!). On the M16 you'll usually find a solid stationary stock, while on the M4 the stock usually folds down (to give better purchase on the rifle based on the shooter's preference). Again, this is one of the features that make it a more attractive option for the armed forces. If you notice, the standard M16 came with a handle at the top that was used to carry and load a special shot glass. M4s usually come with some sort of rail system (M1913 Picatinny, Key-mod, M-Lock, etc.). This difference makes the M4 models more suitable for tactical applications. Again, leads to choosing this rifle over the M16.
Ar15 Vs M16 Vs M4: What's The Difference?
Jamila, one thing to note is that the M16 and M4 platforms (military rifles) have led to AR style rifles being offered for civilian use. The main difference between military and civilian rifles is what we at PSA like to call the “FUN Switch”…or in layman’s terms…the ability to automatically burst fire. Which is probably the best!!! Who wants their crazy Uncle Rob to have access to an automatic rifle capable of firing?!?!?
***Remember... the safest rifles are those with an open bolt, an empty chamber, and an empty magazine. If you are new to firearms and want to learn more, PSA strongly suggests that you research, enroll in, and attend a comprehensive and reputable firearms safety course. Firearm safety is entirely our responsibility.
We want to thank you for taking the time to stop in our lane at the shooting range!! We hope you enjoyed your stay and we hope you stop by early to catch up on all the PSA updates. We hope we really hit the mark, and if you ever have any questions, feel free to shoot them our way!! We hope to shoot Kat again with you soon!! Civilian and military designations aside, what is the real difference between an M16 and an AR15? Why separate names for something so similar, and we as civilians can't own it.
The AR-15 traces its lineage back to 1956, when Eugene Stoner of Armalite (then based in Costa Mesa, California) designed a lightweight, gas-operated, select rifle for the United States Army. However, due to financial difficulties (probably related to machine gun manufacturing in California), they made one of the worst business decisions in history and sold the design to Colt in 1959, along with the rights to the AR-15 and AR-10 names.
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Today, the AR-15 is the most popular rifle in America. With an estimated 10,000,000+ in civilian hands, it has earned the nickname "America's Rifle." From the pistol to the SBR, or the service rifle to the SPR or hunting variety, the AR-15 has become an all-man, all-purpose platform. So how exactly does the M-16 differ?
A soldier in Vietnam fires on full auto with an XM16E1 while smoking a cigarette. You'll never be that good.
After Colt won its manufacturing contract, the M-16 was first shipped to foreign troops in Vietnam in 1964. Largely due to magazine problems (the rifle still had some problems with an unchromed chamber in the beginning), it has since become one of the best military weapons of all time. With four variations in service with the US Army (yes, the M16A1 still has rearguard units), the rifle has evolved over time to fit the ever-evolving and evolving needs of our warriors overseas.
The most recent adaptation, the M16A4, was completed in 1997, giving our soldiers the ability to mount optics and accessories on the top rail and handguard, giving them a rifle better suited to their environment and combat. Selective fire has varied between semi/full auto and semi/burst over the years. However, one thing that hasn't changed is its size. The M-16 has remained with a 20-inch barrel since its conception, which has become increasingly difficult as our wars have moved into largely dense urban environments.
Ar 15 Vs. M16: What's The Difference?
Tracing its roots to the compact XM177 and GAU-5 of the Vietnam War, the M4 began development in 1984 and was officially approved in 1991. Initially offered to special operations troops, the M4 (and M4A1) held this role for a period. . Compact weapon platform for urban environments and vehicle crews with limited space for a full-size rifle.
By the mid-2000s, the M4 was adopted by the United States Armed Forces as a whole. Marines were the last to resist, but eventually moved to adopt the M4 because of its power. But since these different rifles come from the same platform, what's the difference?
An AR15 lower receiver on top and an M16 receiver on the bottom. You can see the difference in measurements
So what is the difference between an M16 and an AR15? There is a lot of misinformation out there, or just information repeated so many times that it is taken as fact. The simplest way to look at it is this: every M16 is an AR15, but not every AR15 is an M16.
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Many would say that the AR15 is semi-auto only and the M16 is fully auto. While this may help distinguish the two for civilian purposes, this is not true. The original AR15 (before it adopted a military designation) was fully automatic, and many have since. What many don't realize is that the military also experimented with semi-automatic M16s, which later received designations such as the famous Mk12 Mod 0.
The most noticeable difference is that the civilian AR15 lower receiver does not have the third trigger pin hole for the automatic sear above the safety selector. The trigger pocket is also usually milled to different dimensions to prevent accepting a self seam. However, this is not a rule. Many companies still sell their basses with M16 trigger pocket dimensions and they don't have the proverbial "third hole". Drilling that third hole is what legally converts your AR-15 from a semi-automatic rifle to an illegal machine gun.
Well, let's go ahead and break this down into a fraction. Depending on your state's laws you can own an M16 as a civilian, however, because there are so many of them available (none were available to civilians after 1986), the price is high. I'm talking $25,000 to $30,000. That said, they're actually not a bad investment. Prices have doubled in the last 10 years and are currently outperforming the stock market.
While we can't sell you an M16, we can help you build a high-quality rifle with an AR 15 80 lower kit, one of our build kits, or a complete upper. As the industry leader 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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