[AndABeer]

What's the difference between a M-16A1 and a M-16A2?

A2 has a bolt assist?

[Delmar]

The foreward bolt assist was present on the A1.
The A2 has improved stock, heavier barrel with a tighter twist rate, built in shell deflector, better sights, a 3 shot burst setting vs full auto.

[Hkmp5sd]

The biggie, 3-shot burst. :barf:

[AndABeer]

Thanks, guess I'm shopping for an A1 then.

[4v50 Gary]

Also has circular handguards that can be either side unlike the triangular left or right handguard of the M16A1. Stronger stock is also 3/4" longer to fit most folks better. Subtle differences include a "fence" rail around the magazine release to prevent accidental depression of the mag release button. BTW, the twist is 1:7 to stabilize the heavier 62 grain SS 109 bullet. The M16A1 had a 1:12 (methinks) to stabilize the 55 grain bullet.

The M16 didn't have to forward assist. The forward assist was one of the features on the M16A1.

[Kharn]

the 1:7 twist is actually to stabilize the ~80gr tracer projectile from the M249, not the 62gr SS109 (which 1:9 stabilizes easily, and 1:7 almost over-does it).

Kharn

[Redlg155]

Also add..

Square front sight post
Elevation adjustment on rear sight base
Flash supressor/muzzle brake combination. (A2 has no holes on bottom)
Forward assist changed from teardrop shape to circular
Barrel profile lightened under handguards
Square type buttplate w/trapdoor instead of rounded
Pistol grip with finger groove section added


Good Shooting
Red

[Badger Arms]

The Forward assist is the only thing that makes an M-16A1 an M-16A1 and not just a plain old Air Force M-16. The Army insisted they get the forward assist because they were afraid their soldiers weren't capable of hopelessly jamming their rifles without it. :D

[ShaiVong]

Haw!

[Bartholomew Roberts]

.

[4v50 Gary]

Why, thank you Redleg155. Never have I forgotten so much in so little time. :)

[Kaylee]

The Army insisted they get the forward assist because they were afraid their soldiers weren't capable of hopelessly jamming their rifles without it.

Dude.. you just made my week. Thanks. :D

-K

[BDM]

Dont forget stronger lower receiver at the rear its more built up around near where the buffer tube screws into and up front at the pivot pin area.Round forward assist,
the barrel heavier from the front site to muzzel,closed slot on bottom of compensator,built in brass deflector new rear sight and front sight post new stock thats longer finger groove on pistol grip and furniture made from super tough 45% glass filled nylon and the twist rate changed to !/7 and the 3 round burst.Delta slip ring and round handgaurds,I think I got em all.

[benewton]

Don't forget that the A2 is roughly 9 pounds, which seems to me to be a bit much for a 22.

I didn't exactly love the A1 when I carried it, but it was at least light.

Too, I can manipulate a trigger, and much prefer the option of full auto over the three round burst crap.

[BDM]

Thats alright my carbine with a HBAR is the same weight,thank god I dont have a hundred gadgets on it.

[Badger Arms]

One thing to consider about the move to the A2 was that it was a MARINE CORPS decision. This decision was made for many reasons. The Marines wanted to be able to shoot their guns at long range and were very dissatisfied with the A1 in that respect. Having a fully adjustable rear sight was their idea. The problem is, they also needed a heavier bullet and wanted a tracer. The tracer (which is longer) requires a tighter twist. With a tighter twist we get barrels that wear out quicker, bullets that are more stable in tissue, and incompatibility with older ammunition. They made the M-16 into a series of contradictions. At least the A1 was an honest lightweight, small caliber bullet hose. They tried to turn the A1 into a target rifle and did so, at the expense of most of what made the A1 a good BATTLE rifle. True, the A2 is stronger in both stock and barrel but then again, that could have been retrofitted.

If WE were in charge, we'd have barrels of 1-in-9 twist or so shooting the same SS109 ammo (which is good stuff from slower twist barrels), Full-auto triggers, and perhaps even A1 style sights. Nothing wrong with the rest of the package. I really don't mind the half-heavy taper barrel.

[Jeff White]

M16A1: 20" 1/12 twist barrel (can only fire shorter M193 55gr ammo accurately), fence around the mag release, combat sights that are hard to adjust (purposely, BZO then forget) , round front sight post, safe-semi-auto trigger group.

M16A2: 20" 1/7 twist barrel (can handle M193 and M855 accurately although zero is different) that is heavy in front of the handguard but normal contour beneath it. square front sight post, click adjustable target type sights, round handguards, finger swell on the pistol grip, buttstock 5/8" longer then the A1 stock, reinforcement on the lower receiver at the rear. Safe-semi-burst trigger group. Forward assist button changed to round shape for ease of production. Closed slot in flash suppressor now renamed a compensator.

Kharn, M856/L110 tracer only wighs 64 gr, but it is a very long round.

benewton, the M16A2 weighs approx 7.5 pounds with a loaded 30 round magazine.

HTH

Jeff

[benewton]

Jeff:
You're probably right on the weight, and I no longer carry the AR around as a fact of life, but I do know that the A2 is heavier, by a good deal, than the old A1.

It also doesn't fit me any where near as well, semi or full auto.

My personal version has the A1 butt on it (thanks for the help, again, all), and I consider the round forearm a major PIA... The old version fitted us 5'8" types rather well, thank you very much!

Since I no longer play army, I suspect the the 9" twist is a better deal than the current 7": I live in the woods and tracers aren't in my plans!

[JShirley]

The M856 is really made for the M249 SAW, but I suppose the powers that be wanted the same twist rate for simplicity, as well as to shoot 109/855 accurately.
The M16a4 is even heavier, and more awkward, with the bulky Knight rails on the forearm.
Many dedicated civilian shooters have exchanged the stock on their A2 with a shorter A1, because the A2 stock is too long for most shooters.

John

[CZ-100]

Don't forget that the A2 is roughly 9 pounds, which seems to me to be a bit much for a 22.

Heavy.. :what: Thats light compared to the 23 lb M60 I had to hump :what:

[benewton]

CZ:
True enough, but the 60's a lot more fun!

Besides, ex-medic that I am, I always "found" the 203 version when I thought that things could get serious.

I still think the A2 is too heavy...