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How to Identify an Original Colt M-16 Rifle

The M-16 rifle is standard issue in the United States military and in many of the NATO countries. It appeared on the scene in 1964, when the US Air Force adopted it to replace their aging inventory of M-1 carbines. The original M-16 was an experimental design based on the AR-15. When finally delivered in 1967, the military weapon was the M16A1. It held a number of changes from the experimental version, and over its long history has gone through more changes still. The most recent version used by military personnel is designated the M16A4.

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the rifle and determine if the butt and hand guard are made of plastic. The M-16 has always had a plastic stock and triangular hand guard. The two plastic pieces are actually made of fiberglass.
- 2
  Look at the end of the rifle barrel and examine the flash suppressor. The flash suppressor changed from the original, three-pronged design because it caught on vegetation. Colt adopted a birdcage-design flash suppressor after the experimental version.
- 3
  Find the sighting system on the rifle, and compare it to the original M-16 sights. The original sights consisted of a round, screw-in sight post on the front, and a height-adjustable drum sight in the rear.
- 4
  Read the manufacturing stamp located just above the clip receiver. The stamp will specify the manufacturer, "Colt M-16." A second stamp below the manufacturer's stamp is the property stamp, designating it as the property of the US Government, "M16A1," or "Cal 5.56 MM."

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