M16

M16 is an US rifle invented in 1955 by Eugene Stoner. In fact it wasn't made by popular Colt Manufacturing Company, but by american Armalite and called AR-10. This gun is very light, because it weighs only ~3 kilos, so it's small for automatic rifle. For example, loaded AK47 weighs 4,3 kilos and has stronger recoil. The M16 has also innovative (at 50's) Bolt Lock System. It's like in semi-auto pistols - when the last bullet from magazine is shot and when new magazine is introduced, you don't have to pull the handle again, but just push the bolt lock which is located above the slot magazine. It's more comfortable and faster. The M16 has also a characteristic transportation grip, and it's also very comfortable. So, returning to the history of M16, in 1959 Colt Company bought the license of AR-15 (it's lighter and smaller than AR-10) from Armailte. Colt has modificated it a little bit and, in 1960, the series production started. It was used in Vietnam, but it hasn't proved completely, because this rifle has been locked many times in jungle. So Colt improve the internal mechanism, and M16 became a legend and it's still use by the US ARMY.

Bullet : 5,56x45mm NATO
Magazine : 20 (used in Vietnam)/30/DRUM 100 bullets
Country : USA
Designer : Eugene Stoner