[Brooklyn Attitude]

“The M-16 is a weapon that must be cleaned, very often!”

Disagree. There have been numerous torture tests where many thousands of rounds were fired without cleaning and without malfunctions. The key to reliablility is to keep them well lubed. I will admit they do get filthier than any rifle I have ever seen but it doesnt seem to effect functioning.

[Yosemitest]

With over 26 years of experience with the M-16 in the USAF, I SAY AGAIN:

"The M-16 is a weapon that must be cleaned, very often!"

You admit as much yourself whenyou say:

"The key to reliablility is to keep them well lubed.
I will admit they do get filthier than any rifle I have ever seen but it doesn't seem to effect functioning."

[Little Bill]

I carried an M-14 during my first tour in VN, great Rifle. I carried an M-16 during my Second Tour POS.

My Cousin was in The Hill Fights in 1967 with the Marines, the Marines with drew the M-16 until Mods were made. It was still unreliable.

[HenpeckedCon]

“I will admit they do get filthier than any rifle I have ever seen but it doesnt seem to effect functioning.”

That's because the military uses Winchester ball powder ammunition instead of Remington IMR “Improved Military Rifle” which was what the M16 was designed to fire. It's a much cleaner power that the army in it's infinite wisdom decided not to use. Kind of like using rifle muskets in the Civil War instead of lever action rifles because the Quartermaster Corps decided it was a waste of ammunition.