Question regarding M16

[rocurtis]

A co-worker and I have an ongoing disagreement. He joined the Army in 1973 and insists he trained with the M-16 and fired the 7.62x51mm NATO ammo with the M16. My standard reply is “you may have trained with the M16, and you may have fired 7.62x51mm NATO, but you did not fire 7.62x51mm NATO with the M16."

Is it not true that the M16 fires the 5.56 & .223, and those cartridges exclusively? It is my understanding that if it shoots any other round, it is, by definition, not an M16. Any current or former military personnel or other persons knowledgable about such matters care to shed light on the topic?

[johnthomas]

I joined the Army in 1973. I trained with an M16 A-1 which fired 5.56 ammo.
It had safe, semi and auto, you could empty the mag with one pull of the trigger. Below is a chart and link you want to look at.
M16A1 M16A2 M16A4
Caliber 5.56x45mm (.223 Remington), M193 5.56x45mm NATO / M855 5.56x45mm NATO / M855
Action gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length 986 mm 1006 mm 1000 mm
Barrel length 508 mm 508 mm 508 mm
Weight, empty 2.89 kg 3.77 kg 3. 4 kg
Magazine capacity 20 or 30 rounds standard
Rate of fire, cyclic 650 - 750 rounds per minute 700 - 950 rounds per minute
http://modernfirearms.net/assault/us...2-m16a3-e.html

[Snoopy47]

He may very well have shot 7.62 out of an M14, but as you point out, not an M16

[jcourson]

This is such basic information that it makes you question whether he actually served or just says he did.

[TKM]

I feel your pain. I work with idiots too.

[Tacit Blue]

Originally Posted by jcourson

This is such basic information that it makes you question whether he actually served or just says he did.

[63 tango]

Did he say M16 or M60?

[Che762x39]

Originally Posted by jcourson

This is such basic information that it makes you question whether he actually served or just says he did.

A lot of people who served were not military experts just people who needed jobs. Most people who did a two or three year enlistment have no ideal about their branch of service.

[jcourson]

Originally Posted by Che762x39

A lot of people who served were not military experts just people who needed jobs. Most people who did a two or three year enlistment have no ideal about their branch of service.

This is why Marines make fun of the army so much. Who could possibly excuse not knowing what ammo your service rifle fires?

[rocurtis]

Originally Posted by 63 tango

Did he say M16 or M60?

He is definitely talking about his boot camp training / service rifle. I have about 10 different cartridges on a shelf in my office, including 5.56 and 7.62. Every time he comes into my office, he picks up the 5.56 and says "there is no way we shot this tiny round when we trained. I know we shot the larger 7.62 out of our M16's."

My standard response is that it is probably not the only thing he remembers being bigger than it actual is/was.

[kenl]

Turn it around on him. Ask him to google and show you the rifle that he used. Should be entertaining.