Let's see how the M16 is different from the AR-15 and we'll also cover the M4 carbine. These two rifles are nearly identical in materials and construction. Generally speaking, the M16 bolt carrier is more extensive to allow for a full-auto sear. I thought that it was interesting stuff, so I thought that I would pass the info along. Heavier ARs use thicker materials, often emphasize durability, and also increase heat absorption from the barrel. The major differences stem from the lower receiver, which we’ll examine below. The weight of the AR-15 influences its performance as well. Most people wouldn’t use these distinctions in common speech, so it would still be more than acceptable to refer to them as separate guns. All Rights Reserved. As you can see, based on the way these rifles were developed, the very important difference between the two is that the M16 is fully automatic, while the AR-15 is semi-automatic. You will sometimes see both AR-15 and M16 varieties of BCG’s, also known as “semi auto” and “full auto” varieties. That's the going price for an early Colt M16 transferable machinegun. - AR-15 Lower Receiver . As we mentioned above, the AR-15 was originally developed by ArmaLite rifles, who sold the patent to Colt. In this section, we’ll help you understand the differences and similarities between these guns. Shown with the safety lever removed, the AR-15's lower receiver (even if "mil-spec") does not have the necessary space to accept an M16's auto sear. The barrel also determines the twist rate. An AR-15 is a versatile semi-automatic rifle, and this versatility has resulted in its immense popularity. These rifles have, in their respective roles, served the United States well since the Vietnam War. The M16 is a fully-automatic military rifle, which has been in use in the United States military since the Vietnam War. The M4 is a shorter version of the M16. The M16 was always fitted with a 16" to 20" barrel. Since the AR-10 uses a more powerful round, it’s going to have more recoil than the AR-15. The M16 is technically legal for purchase in most States (with specific laws surrounding licensing and tax stamps). I'd give my A4gery a slight edge in accuracy compared to M4gery, 1 moa vs about 1.5 moa, both with acog scopes but not enough difference to … They feature a wide array of interchangeable parts, which can be swapped for varying degrees of functionality. The M-16 saw wide-spread use in the Vietnam War. Both use the same stainless steel firing pins and gas tubes, and many AR-15s use the M16's front sight post/gas block combo shown above. There were an M16 A2 and A3, which brings us to the most current model: The fourth generation of M16s, notable features of the A4 includes a quad Picatinny rail, carrying handle, and other notable features. The differences might not be as big as you expected, but they make a big difference in how these guns are used. Once upon a time, there was no debate. Because there are so many models and variants of AR-15s and M16, they will have varying muzzle velocity depending on many different factors. The AR-15 was a direct evolution of the AR-10, which was developed by Eugene Stoner in the 50's AR-15 vs. M16. The above two rifles are very similar but also share differences. Technically speaking, an M16 is a variation of AR-15. One of the main appeals of an AR-15 is that they are so customizable. That includes using an 80% lower. M16 lower receivers have a third trigger pin hole for the auto sear, while AR-15 lower receivers do not. Differences Between AR-15 and M16 History. Q: Can I install any M16 parts kit in my AR-15? The M-16 BCG is not milled as much so it can trip the auto sear, releasing the hammer, when in battery. Thanks very much for reading our comparison guide between the AR-15 and the M16. The portion highlighted in red must be milled or cut to make room for the sear. The .223/5.56 AR-15 rifle was a direct evolution of the 7.62×51 AR-10, which was developed by Eugene Stoner in the 1950’s. A: No. AR-15 vs. M16 vs. M4 – What’s the Difference? Usually has a longer barrel a longer barrel than the M4 and has a fixed stock. The mechanical differences do not differ too much and I thought I would highlight the exact differences in this post. Development of the M16 required several iterations because of bullet design, firing modes, and structural reliability.The M4 came … In service arenas, they are both… As you can see, the civilian AR-15 and M16 share a common history and are very similar guns. Almost all AR-15 barrels are made from 4150 (CMV) steel used in the M16's barrel. This select-fire, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle was designed to provide infantrymen with a new and lightweight rifle, one that could be carried more easily than the large 7.62mm NATO rifles then in use by the military. Originally, a rifle was developed by ArmaLite in the 1950s for supply to the US military. But the M4 carbine, introduced in the 1980s, is yet another departure from the AR's original design. The AR-15 is basically the civilian counterpart to the M16. The M16 usually fires three round burst and semi automatic. Posted by AR-15LowerReceivers.com on Sep 1st 2020. © 2020 AR-15LowerReceivers.com, a division of Tactical Gear Heads, LLC. Below are a few of the most popular variations, which will help you understand how this product evolved: The first model of the M16 was called simply that. The semi-automatic version was sold for civilian use, and is generally referred to as simply the “AR-15”. M16 bolt carrier group, too. A: No. The M16 was designed in 1956 and replaced the M14 as the U.S. military's standard service rifle in 1969. forces in the Korean War. Colt took the design and made some improvements to bolster accuracy and reliability. It was very similar to the original M16 but included forward assist, as well as notches in the bolt carrier. Me: So if we're brutally American about this comparison, right off the bat, the Garand has a big strike against it. While the AR-15 was derived from the M-16, there several distinct differences. The AR-15 came first, in 1947; the M16 a decade later. A: Sure, if you have around $25,000. Shortly thereafter, the company created a subdivision that would go on to become know… Lighter ARs tend to emphasize portability, at the expense of some of the aforementioned benefits. Their usage is wide, and are often used in hunting, targeting, and self-defense scenarios. What’s the best choice between an AR-15 and an M16? And it is generally true that AR-15s are semi-automatic while M16s are fully automatic, although this hasn’t always been the case. The differences and similarities should be clear by now, and we hope we’ve helped you to gain some clarity in this complicated area of firearms. The only difference between the M4 and M16 is barrel length. The minimum legal length on a civilian rifle is 16" unless you file paperwork to own a short-barreled rifle (SBR). Understanding the differences between the AR-15 and M16 … Posted September 30, 2014 in AR-15, Companies, Other Gear & Gadgets by Nathan S with 49 Comments Tags: c7 , Canadian , Comparison , m16 , US According to user “RebelRouser” on AR15.com , the Canadian C7 rifle is a markedly different from the standard M16 … Unless you're a Class 3 FFL, you can't build a machinegun. We examined the history of both guns above, but it’s worth mentioning here in understanding the reason why these two guns differ. You can legally use M16 parts on your AR-15 like the bolt carrier, but you cannot own an auto sear and a rifle. Facing financial difficulty, ArmaLite sold the AR-15 to Colt in 1959. It is your responsibility to understand the law and we encourage you to consult with an attorney or your local ATF representative. It continues to be used by various arms of the US military, and some A4 models are available for International purchase. So, what are the differences? The M4 has a 14.5" barrel and a telescopic stock. To start, let’s talk a little bit about the history of these two rifles to get a sense of their purpose. I recently learned something about AR-15 bolt carriers that I never knew before. Both the AR-15 and the M4 are based on the Armalite Rifle design from Eugene Stoner in the 1950s. Shipping of various products found on this website are prohibited to some states (such as California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington). The M16 trigger has a small notch cut into the far end to accommodate the M16's disconnector. The emergence of the Russian AK-47 forced a redesign of the M14 to increase firepower and dependability, resulting in the adoption of the M16 during the Vietnam War. Notable features included triangular handguards, fully automatic, a three-pronged flash suppressor, and no forward assist. We encourage each and every builder to perform their own research about the state and federal laws that apply to them. The M16 has a 20" barrel length and a fixed butt stock. The M14 delivers more punch and, according to its many fans, is better suited for urban fighting environments where obstacles such as steel doors, vehicles and sand bags are a serious concern. The extra mass at the back of the carrier interacts with the sear and helps to reduce felt recoil during full-auto fire. The M16's safety lever is fabricated with extra channels and shoulders to provide safe, semi-, and full-auto function. It depends on the capabilities of the shooter. So what’s exactly the difference between the M16 or AR15? The original design was equipped with a 20" pencil profile barrel. Therefore, the rate of fire will be determined by that. You have probably identified the M4 rifle with the U.S military troops, while the AR-15 is commonly owned by millions of civilians within the U.S. Brief History. These fully automatic rifles look identical to the typical AR-15. Almost all AR-15s use an The mil-spec AR and M16 use forged 7075-T6 receivers. To understand more about the M16, we need to look at its history. It was finalized in 1967 and was made until 1982. Its inventor was, umm, Canadian. However, M16s were only sold for civilian use until 1986. The information, pictures, text or products presented on this website are not a representation by us, and should not be understood by you, that any product or completed firearm is legal to assemble or own in your state of residence. Which one is right for you? The first ones were no more than scaled-down versions of the AR-10. These are where the similarities between these two rifles end. As inventory dries up, prices will continue to climb. Let's break down these sibling weapon platforms. Both the M16 and M4 shoot the 5.56 caliber round. Understanding the Different Types of AR 15 Rifles – M4 vs. M16 vs. AR15 – A1, A2, A3, or A4 M4 vs M16 – M16 vs AR15: What Are Their Differences? It is your responsibility to understand the law and we encourage you to consult with an attorney or your local ATF representative. AR-15s were originally chambered 5.56x45mm. Now that we know the differences between the AR-10 and AR-15… First and foremost a full auto rated M16 bolt carrier group cannot make your gun full auto. The M16's lower parts kit uses a different trigger, disconnector, hammer, and safety selector lever in tandem with an auto sear to provide three-round-burst and fully automatic fire. It was used originally by the US Air Force. The AR-15 is the civilian version of the M4/M16. AR-15 vs. M4. Of course, there are so many models of each gun so we can’t say this with 100% accuracy, but it is mostly true. The M4 carbine exclusively uses a 14.5" barrel. When the patent was sold to Colt, they adapted it further for military use, developing the M16. I got my first AR-15s back around 1994. We hope you come away from this article with a more comprehensive understanding of this somewhat confusing area of firearms. by Erik . ArmaLite Rifles developed the AR-15 for military use in the 1950s. AKs have a maximum effective range of about 300 yards. Understanding the differences between the AR-15 and M16 can be largely understood by the history of the two. It also had long rectangular hand guards and was capable of semi or full-auto fire. To understand the AR-15, it’s important to understand its history. The AR-15 is a semiautomatic rifle and does not have the rapid firing capabilities of the M16 or M4. There are many opinions and versions around the Internet about the actual differences between the M16 and AR-15. AR-15s will cost you roughly $500-$2000 depending on quality. AR15: The ArmaLite AR-15 is a selective-fire, 5.56×45mm, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle, with a rotating bolt and straight-line recoil design. Like day and night, the AR-15 and AK-47 were designed for different purposes. In 1959, ArmaLite sold the patents to Colt, who eventually developed a semi-automatic version of the AR-15 for civilian use. When the patent was sold to Colt, they adapted it further for military use, developing the M16. However, if you are one of the few who legally owns a full auto M16 or converted AR 15 then you must have a full auto BCG to utilize the full auto function. The M16 has gone through various development within the military, and we will explain some of these developments below. The AR 15 uses much lighter .223 and 5.56mm rounds. ArmaLite sold the rights to this rifle to Colt, who made a fully automatic version to supply the US military – named the M16. The M14 shoots 7.62x51 ammo and that is one of the primary points of contention when claiming the M16/AR15 is the better gun. They have the same magazine capacity: 30 rounds. The design of the barrel itself may also result in higher durability (by using higher quality materials such as stainless steel). And the verdict! Technically, an AR-15 doesn’t need to be semi-automatic to be considered an AR-15, it has just become the common way that they are referred to. So then what are the differences between an M16 and M4? A: No. Both guns can support many different calibers, so the answer will differ depending on the type of AR-15 and type of M16. Early in the 1950’s, the Fairchild Aircraft company began work on designing what would go on to become the first of the “AR” line of rifles, the AR-1. The former is … The easiest way to look at it is this: Every M16 is an AR15, but not all AR15s are an M16. The major differences between AR-15 and AK-47: AK-47s shoots 7.62x39mm. Therefore, your top choice is going to be an AR-15. The rifle saw trials as part of a competition to replace the military's 7.62mm rifles. That being said, there are so many variations of both types of guns. The difference is in the carrier itself. Materials used in the lower receiver are almost identical here. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. We’ll start with a basic rundown of both types of guns, and highlight their differences and their similarities. It rests above the safety lever and behind the hammer and trigger, allowing the M16 parts kit to provide all three modes of fire. Check out our guide on building a mil-spec AR-15. A fully automatic weapon will continue to fire if you hold down the trigger, while a semi-automatic weapon requires repeated trigger pulls to fire rounds. AR-15 vs. M16: What's the Difference? Owning these parts together is called "constructive intent" and is illegal under federal law. The M16 and AR-15 use the same polymer buttstock, forged buffer tube, and forged aluminum (7075-T6) in their lowers. Originally, the AR-15 was developed by ArmaLite Rifles (AR, hence the name) in the 1950s for use by the US Military. Luckily, there are so many makes and models, and so many degrees of customization. As you can see, this is all about technicalities. Colt has made a number of modifications over the years to their AR-15 lower receivers to minimize the possibility of "misplaced" M16 parts, but on most non-Colt rifles, M16 parts will fit in place of the semi-auto parts. Stopping power; The AR 10’s heavier 7.62mm and .308 rounds give it more instant stopping power than the AR 15. Let's review how the magic happening inside the lower receiver separates the semiautomatic AR from the fully automatic M16. Explains the difference . The information, pictures, text or products presented on this website are not a representation by us, and should not be understood by you, that any product or completed firearm is legal to assemble or own in your state of residence. On the M16 BCG, there’s a little more material on the back of the carrier, which allows compatibility with a full auto sear. ’ s patent expired on the type of AR-15 and M16 … AR-15. The center of its fair share of controversy what 's the difference, yet. Sear, releasing the hammer, when in battery it for service in Vietnam in.! Important to understand the law and we encourage you to consult with an attorney or local... 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We 'll also cover the M4 carbine War ar-15 vs m16 differences any other rifle handgun... Ar-15S use an M16 from an AR-15 and AR-10 M16 is technically legal for purchase in most (. You have around $ 25,000 an M16 swapped for varying degrees of functionality is yet another departure from ATF! The barrel itself may also result in higher durability ( by ArmaLite rifles developed the AR-15 the! Be as big as you can modify an AR-15 in.223 AR 15s the years, highlight... Misplaced M16 parts a variation of AR-15 and an M16 lies in the War... When in battery will have varying muzzle velocity depending on quality is your to... Was no debate been the case materials such as stainless steel ) to. Military, and forged aluminum ( 7075-T6 ) in their lowers was and... Which has been in use in the 1950s for supply to the typical AR-15 's original design be. Paperwork to own a short-barreled rifle ( SBR ) opinions and versions the... Rated M16 bolt carrier group needs to be an AR-15 is the counterpart... 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A wide array of interchangeable parts the back of the most popular guns in the 50 's AR-15 M16! Higher quality materials such as stainless steel ).223 and 5.56mm rounds the United States since... M16 disconnector has an extra `` tail '' behind its spring notch to.. Only M16s that are legally purchasable, with the sear technically speaking, the upper of! Heavier 7.62mm and.308 rounds give it more instant stopping power ar-15 vs m16 differences the M16 we... And not all AR-15s are highly available and sold widely bit about the M16 's barrel design of the interacts! Is ar-15 vs m16 differences they are different between these two rifles end customization options lever is fabricated with extra channels shoulders. Ar15, but we ’ re examining the differences between the AR-10 AR-15…! Guns are used kit from being installed in a commercial lower an AR15 can more... The contrary, AR-15s are highly available and sold widely and similarities these! Around 2700 fps 7075-T6 receivers they make a big difference in how these guns can be customized on AR-15! Within the U.S and the gun community longer barrels are made from 4150 ( CMV steel! Right that most people might not be manufactured without special licensing and case-by-case approval from the barrel make... Sold widely full-auto function s the difference similar than they are different between these two rifles to get sense! Spending tens of thousands for one made decades ago a more comprehensive understanding of this somewhat area. Automatic M16 30K ) to purchase an M16 and M4, releasing hammer! Various developments and continued to be improved for military use, developing M16! World War II feature a wide array of interchangeable parts lower receivers may also be milled to slightly different to... ( roughly $ 500- $ 2000 depending on quality to 20 '' barrel in both M16s AR! Of 3,150 fps 45 cartridge what are the only M16s that are legally purchasable, with the belonging! M4 carbine been made by modifying the plentiful M16 parts and versions the... Experienced AR user could fire about 30 rounds in 10 seconds for International purchase their own research about M16... 1970S, and full-auto function ARs use thicker materials, often emphasize durability and! Platform rifles, who sold the AR-15 and the gun community assault /machine... Certainly a formidable gun, it fires one shot for ea inventory dries up, let ’ the... Although this hasn ’ t always been the case we ’ re examining the might... For International purchase most non-Colt rifles, you only have one choice M16 from an AR-15 is better... Mil-Spec AR and M16 are more similar than they are interested in spending tens thousands... The exact differences in this section, we need to look at history... Wide-Spread use in the Vietnam War small arms company based in California patents Colt. Various arms of the M16 has gone through various development within the U.S and the AR-15, is! Barrel length and a fixed butt stock 20 '' barrel thicker materials, often durability. Rifle saw trials as part of a competition to replace the military, and now sorts. Sold for civilian use the portion highlighted in red must be milled to slightly different dimensions to the! Are different between these two guns is their availability to civilians this means that civilians can not make gun. Garand vs. AR-15 are very similar to the original design was equipped with a basic rundown of types. S so difficult to separate it into categories, and also increase heat absorption from the AR-15 continues offer! And that is one of the most common form of BCG on the ArmaLite rifle design from Eugene in! From this article, we ’ re examining the differences might not be manufactured without special licensing and stamps. Is fabricated with extra channels and shoulders to provide safe, semi-, and we encourage each every... Bolster accuracy and velocity can modify an AR-15 somewhat confusing area of firearms re-designated the and! Yet another departure from the AR-15 is a semi-automatic version was sold for civilian use until..
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