The origins of the M16 rifle lay in the research conducted soon after the Korean war by the Operations Research Office (ORO), founded at Hopkins University and sponsored by the US Army. We will have to wait and see if the American armed forces will eventually produce a better rifle and / or cartridge in the forseeable future. Clearly, it is far from being ideal, but no rifle in the world is perfect. Today it can be considered an adequate military rifle with a good service record. It does appear though, that this weapon will serve with American armed forces and abroad for at least several years (if not decades) more. ![]() Its early days were full of controversy and scandal and its present day is full of competition. It was hastily adopted as an interim measure, but soldiered on to eventually see more than 50 years of active service – continuing to this day. The M16A1 rifle (top) and M16A2 rifle (bottom) ![]() The story of the M16 rifle is one of the most turbulent and controversial episodes in the whole history of US small arms.
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