Posted on 12/07/2016 4:54:38 PM PST by PROCON
The classic M16A1 was the iconic rifle of the Vietnam War. It was issued to the vast majority of U.S. soldiers during the conflict, and it’s general success in combat led to its continued service in the U.S. armed forces in varied forms over the years. And of course it wasn’t too long before the M16’s popularity translated to the civilian market as well.
Luckily, earlier this summer at the 2016 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Louisville, Kentucky, Colt teased the release of a reproduction, semi-auto-only M16A1 that faithfully replicates the look and features of the original, Vietnam-era rifle. The new rifle, which Colt has dubbed the M16A1 Reissue, is a virtual match to the classic design, featuring the same unique triangular handguard, 20-inch pencil-profile chrome-lined barrel with a 1:12-inch twist, and recognizable carrying handle.
Although I wasn’t in attendance at the event in Louisville, I did get a chance to get some shooting time with the new Colt M16A1 Reissue at Colt’s recent Media Day event at the historic Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the M16A1 Reissue from the Colt team and to put some rounds through it at the range.
While there are a ton of AR-15 style rifles available today, faithful recreations of the original military-issue M16A1 are a little harder to find. This can be especially disappointing for collectors looking for a semi-auto replica of this classic and historical rifle.
(Excerpt) Read more at gundigest.com ...
Ruger gets it!
You are correct, sir. What if they re-issued the M-14 with a folding stock and Kevlar grips? I think that might be a winner.
The British went through a similar process prior to WWI. They designed a Mauser type action with a .276 caliber cartridge.
They cancelled it due to the same reason, a huge supply of .303 ammo plus the rifles to shoot it in.
It did result in the pattern 14 Enfield which eventually became our 1917 Enfield. One of the strongest actions ever.
My nostalgia is for the full day spent training on the SP155 at Ft. Sill OK. I haven’t seen one of those on the market though. The M2 was a lot of fun too.
I went through in ‘81. Shot .22 LR and still remember what looked to be black widows in the tents at the range.
Mattel made the buttstocks!
I have one!
Great graphics. Never studied the FAL mechanism. Tilting bolt vs. tilting barrel on semiauto pistols.
With the gas turned way down, you do not get a lot of carbon in the AR308. The chamber and lugs are still a pain to clean if you are anal-retentive about your weapons. So was the Hk-91 chamber, and being blowback, it got REALLY dirty. And ruined the brass.
If I decide to tinker with this Franknegun AR going together, may try a piston conversion. Cannot recall the name of one maker that had a good looking system.
Adams Arms makes the most popular piston retrofit system. There are an increasing number of makers offering complete uppers that are piston driven.
Also, it looks like the Marines are going to give up on the IAR aka the M27 as a low volume partial replacement for the M249 and instead will replace M4s and M16s with the M27. The M27 is basically a piston driven AR made by H&K.
Adams Arms makes the most popular piston retrofit system. There are an increasing number of makers offering complete uppers that are piston driven.
Also, it looks like the Marines are going to give up on the IAR aka the M27 as a low volume partial replacement for the M249 and instead will replace M4s and M16s with the M27. The M27 is basically a piston driven AR made by H&K.
They already did that. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mk_14_Enhanced_Battle_Rifle
I wish the 1 in 12 barrel was available on models that do not cost $2500.
I think the slow twist had a lot to do with it too.
Dang, that is great shooting, and I was a PMI at one time.
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