M16 vs AR-15 Re: Shoddy Hardware (Was: Re: WW fixtures (was Re: "New" PDP-8))

From: Joe <rigdonj_at_cfl.rr.com>
Date: Thu Apr 4 06:32:59 2002

At 11:57 PM 4/3/02 -0600, you wrote:
>On Thu, 4 Apr 2002, Chad Fernandez wrote:
>
>> 3/4 of an inch??? Wow, that would be several presentations, I hope!
>
> 4 days worth....
>>
>> AR-15? I didn't know the military used them. Sure there not M-16's?
>
> Well, they don't like it if you look too close, and the corporal at
>DFW didn't think it was OK at all when I asked to see. But I'm fairly
>sure it's the old Colt AR-15. Way, way bigger than a M16.

   I doubt they were AR-15s. The only ones that the US military ever bought were for the USAF in the early sixtys and before they were accepted and standardized as the M-16. Even those AR-15s were full auto. But most AR-15s are semi-auto only and are sold to the civilian market. The AR-15 and M-16 are exactly the same size. The only difference would be if you got a target version, carbine or something else that is non-standard. But even those use the same receiver, magazine, etc. One thing that might be throwing you off is the fact that the current AR-15s and M16s use a longer heavier barrel and a bigger ROUND hand guard than the Vietnam era M-16s that many people are used to seeing.

   Incidently, that sale to the USAF is what got the US government (civilian, not military) looking at the question of what was the best arm for the military and that ultimately lead to the abandonment of the M-14 and the adoption of the M-16. (just in time for the fun and games in SEA. Wahoo!)

Remember,
>these are National Guard, not regular Army. They don't get those little
>MP5s. :(

   Only special forces get those. All regular forces of the USA, USAF, CG, Navy, etc and the NG use M-16s. Police, DEA, US Customs, etc are another story. They can have what ever they're willing to pay for.

    Joe
Received on Thu Apr 04 2002 - 06:32:59 BST