"I will never forget the time I was ordered to report to the company armor to turn in my M14 and pick up my new Matel Toy (Matel made some of the stocks for the early M16s, including mine), otherwise known as the M16. I was truly amazed at it's light weight and the fact that it would empty a 20 round mag in no time flat when it was on full auto. Other than that it was the worst combat weapon I had ever seen or carried and the only thing that saved my hide was that my MOS was that of a machine gunner and it did not take long for me to work my way up the ladder to where I did not have to carry it or use it to keep me alive.
Reliability, durability and dependability were out the window as far as I was concerned. There were so many of my Brothers, whose names might not be on the Wall in DC today, if it not had been for what they were issued to defend themselves. Involved with constant troop movement, it was difficult to simply stop and clean your weapon and whenever possible, we all did as best we could and the majority of the time we would still have problems with jamming and malfunctions. To this day, I do not care to even so much as touch one. Matter of fact, I recently was employed (for approx. 3 years) at a local gun store and range and I always cleaned the rental weapons after use except for the AR/M16. The boss never pressed me to do it and understood my feelings. Over the years I have spoke with numerous owners of the AR/M16 who all loved them and never had any problems but when I asked, none of them had used theirs in a combat situation and always had the time to keep the weapon neat and clean. Understandable in that type of scenario but no matter what the case may be, reliability, dependability and durability is out the window as far as I am concerned. Glad I had the Sixty and if I would not have had that opportunity, I would have scarfed up an AK47 from my enemy or broke into the armory to retrieve my M14. Just my two cents worth and no pun intended for anyone who owns an AR or M16. Your turn ..."
"I dunno how much the last 35 years has been refining, or just polishing the turd. I know for a fact the M16A1s I was issued were grossly unreliable and I doubt the vaunted forward assist helped in one out of 50 cases.
The A2 arrived at my unit with much fanfare about the high-speed, low-drag "heavy barrel". I quickly found out is was NOT a Colt HBAR when I boloed the first time around on qualification. In the prone unsupported I took up a damn tight sling hold (like I do with my Garand when I'm playing with the boys) and was rock steady, and pulled almost every shot low.
Turns out only the last 4 inches of the barrel at the muzzle end is "heavy", the rest is as flimsy as the A1 so it will take the M203. What do I mean by flimsy? Well, the Army's own tests revealed a really tight sling hold is enough to pull shots as much as 4 inches low at 100....8 at 200...16 at 300.
Then they had to find the worst possible 3-shot burst device on the planet (I'm willing to bet H&K or FN have something better). It doesn't automatically reset to 3 if you don't fire three, so if you shoot two your next burst may be a burst of one, kind of like an Army of One maybe.
AND it does icky things to the trigger pull, which many, including myself, consider to be one of the most important aspects of good marksmanship. The burst regulator helps the semi-auto pull wander from 5 to 8 to 11 pounds.
At least ours didn't jam when we got them, but they were brand new. I notice the manual says that in inclimate weather the weapon AND ammunition may need cleaning "many times daily". Serving only a minor part in Storm at the end of my service I don't claim to be a real veteran, but c'mon, anyone who's at least spent real time in the field would have to find that advice ludicrous.
Any fool knows to clean or at least empty a rifle after it's been submerged, but the manual also states you need to do that with the M16A2 if IT'S BEEN EXPOSED TO DEW?!?!? I'm glad the Marines slogging through seawater and sand and volcanic ash at Iwo Jima had weapons (M1s) that could be exposed to dew.
When I went to the range as a reserve deputy, I watched the SO's AR-15s have numerous failures to feed while the PD's Mini-14s just kept chugging away. I now carry a Mini in the back window of my truck for varmints and stray liberals, clean it maybe twice a year, and it always goes bang when I want it to.
Now I see Col. David Hackworth on Fox & Freinds morning show talking about our boys in Afghanistan having trouble with the M-4 jamming. Where are you when we need you John Moses Browning?"
