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The M16 is the most commonly manufactured 5.56×45mm rifle in the world. Currently, the M16 is in use by 15 NATO countries and more than 80 countries worldwide. Together, numerous companies in the United States, Canada, and China have produced more than 8,000,000 rifles of all variants.
This article describes the many variations of the Colt AR-15 and M16 rifle family of weapons produced by Colt's Manufacturing Company. Weapons patterned on the original ArmaLite AR-15 design have been produced by numerous manufacturers and have been used by nations around the world, some of which created their own variations.
Eugene Morrison Stoner (November 22, 1922 – April 24, 1997) was an American machinist and firearms designer who is most associated with the development of the ArmaLite AR-15 rifle that was redesigned and modified by Colt's Patent Firearm Company for the United States military as the M16 rifle.
ArmaLite, or Armalite, is an American small arms engineering company, formed in the early 1950s in Hollywood, California.Many of its products, as conceived by chief designer Eugene Stoner, relied on unique foam-filled fiberglass butt/stock furniture and a composite barrel using a steel liner inside an aluminum sleeve, including the iconic AR-15/M16 family.
M16 type rifles are currently made in 5.56×45mm NATO, 6.8×43mm SPC and .300 AAC Blackout caliber. [309] AK-47 type rifles are currently made in 7.62×39mm, 5.45×39mm and 5.56×45mm NATO. [204] The 7.62mm NATO SR-25 and M110 are based on the original AR-10, but feature additional refinements to maximize parts commonality with the M16. [310]
Current M16 rifles have been made primarily by FN USA since 1988. However, Colt remained the sole source for M4 carbines for the US military. Under their license agreement with Colt, the US military could not legally award second-source production contracts for the M4 until July 1, 2009. [58]
10 million military M16/M4, (Colt production only as of 2011) [14] ... 1,034,462 of the Model 760 alone were made from 1952-1980: Vetterli M1870: Bolt-action rifle
H&R also manufactured M16A1 rifles during the Vietnam War and is one of only four manufacturers (along with Colt, Fabrique Nationale, & GM Hydramatic Division) to have ever made an official M16 variant for the U.S. Military. [2] Due to their relative scarcity, all H&R military weapons are considered highly desirable by collectors.