M16 craps where it eats. The only military rifle with direct gas operation.
Yep. Big part of the problem was/is the propellant. Stoner’s original design called for a chemical that after burning would deposit a thin film like graphite, contributing to lubrication. Olin had the ammunition contract at the time and said no to the new propellant. The vagaries or acquisitions and the lack of a chromed chamber and bore were the reputation killer of those first m-16 rifles.
Cheers