Back in the day an M16 had full auto. But tests showed that after the first couple of shots, the rest were wasted.
I am not sure if the newer M16s were retrofitted.
The new M4s have a three shot burst.
I love watching this supposed combat movies where the special forces guys are just raking the enemy with automatic fire.
When everyone I’ve known that has been in a situation like that tells me that they only shoot like that to cover a retreat—otherwise its aim, shoot, aim, shoot.
or aim shoot shoot move aim shoot shoot move aim shoot shoot.
They found the three rounds was a mistake and are eliminating it.
The A2’s were the first with the burst.