M16 rifle
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| Rifle, 5.56 mm, M16 | |
|---|---|
 An M16A1 | |
| Type |
Assault rifle |
| Cartridge |
5.56×45mm NATO |
| Feed |
Detachable box magazines |
| Used by | |
| In service | |
The M16 is a lightweight, 5.56 mm caliber, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle, with a rotating bolt, actuated by direct impingement gas operation. It is constructed of steel, aluminum and composite plastics, and is easy to break down and clean with proper training.
It first entered service during the Great World War II, with the Allies using it extensively to replace various older weapons, such as the M1 Carbine and StG-44. Eventually, an underslung grenade launcher, designated M203 was developed as an optional addition to the rifle. While the 5.56mm rounds can't pierce a tank's thick armour, a 40mm round from the grenade launcher could damage tank armour to some degree.
Later, this weapon also had a special carbine version designated as the M4. It used the same internal mechanisms as the original M16, but had a shortened barrel, collapsible stock and was primarily designed as a more compact version of its big brother. It could also have an M203 grenade launcher mounted to it.
Following the war, with the introduction of newer GAU-3 Eliminator rifles, the M16 and M4 were gradually phased out of use and sold on the market to, among many, the Brotherhood of Nod. The rifle was eventually replaced along with the GAU-3 by the Cobretti AR-70 and later the M16 Mk. II pulse rifle. Interesting is, however, that the M16 has inspired the design of the M16 Mk. II pulse rifle.
Renegade
Edit
The rifle was supposed to be the basic weapon of GDI and Nod minigunners in Renegade, however, for some reason, it was changed to the Cobretti AR-70. Oddly, these weapons are still featured in Ren's pre-rendered FMVs, usually in the hands of old Nod minigunners. An M203 version was also supposed to be available.
