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M16: The ‘Worst’ Army Rifle Ever?

Key Points - The M16 rifle's introduction during the Vietnam War was deeply controversial despite its "on-paper" advantages over the M14—lighter weight, higher ammunition capacity, and lower recoil.
Yahoo

Here's how the polarizing M16 or AR-15 rifle went from a symbol of America's lost war in Vietnam to being owned by about 16 million Americans in 70 years

To gun enthusiasts, it is an effective, lightweight weapon. To anti-gun advocates, it's a symbol of mass shootings. Experts estimate approximately 16 million adults in the US now own at least one of ...
The National Interest

How the M16 Rifle Outlasted Its Critics and Competitors

Summary and Key Points: The M16 rifle, designed by Eugene Stoner and adopted by the U.S. military in the 1960s, has remained a staple due to its reliability, modularity, and effectiveness. -Despite ...
The National Interest

Legacy of the M16 Rifle in the Vietnam War

The M16’s predecessor in U.S. military service, the 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 caliber) M14, had become the standard-issue rifle back in 1959, except for the U.S. Air Force Air Police/Security Police ...