M16/AR15 Question
I'm a bit new when it comes to non WW2 pieces. Can someone tell me the differences between an M16 and an AR15? I was looking around and saw that the M16 was the military version while the AR15 was the civilian version until the Air Force adopted the AR15? Thank you for your help in advance.
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M16,s are full auto. They were called AR15,s untill the military got them. AR15,s are civilian semi-auto versions. The Colt,s are the only actual AR,s, all the other makes are just called that because of the model. 0 -
Thank you dcs!!! So here's my next dumb question. If I wanted to could I use an AR15 upper on an M16 lower? 0 -
Well, the M16 has three safety settings, one of which will let you get more than one bullet out of the gun with only one trigger pull.
That's probably the most important functional difference.0 -
quote:Originally posted by bnocenti
Thank you dcs!!! So here's my next dumb question. If I wanted to could I use an AR15 upper on an M16 lower?
Yes, only differences in the parts that go in the upper are in the bolt/bolt carrier.
This of course would change for non-223 calibers and 22 conversion kits. I think several of the 22lr conversions are available for full auto/select fire lowers0 -
quote:Originally posted by bnocenti
Thank you dcs!!! So here's my next dumb question. If I wanted to could I use an AR15 upper on an M16 lower?
First of all, M16 lowers are considered (all by themselves) "machine guns" so if you are in the USA, you need to have the appropriate registration and paperwork on the gun, because if not, the gun is illegal, and the legal penalty for possessing one is quite steep.
Can you put an AR-15 upper on an M16 lower?
Yes. . .but.
I believe the M16 bolt carrier group is a little different and that difference may prevent your AR-15 upper from firing as "quickly" as you might like, if you catch my drift.
Also, I believe receiver hole diameters on actual M16 rifles may a bit bigger than some AR-15 upper holes specifically to prevent casual swaps like this, and that can be an issue in getting a proper fit depending on the upper/lower involved.0 -
quote:Originally posted by bnocenti
Thank you dcs!!! So here's my next dumb question. If I wanted to could I use an AR15 upper on an M16 lower?
Yes, you could but it would not function in automatic mode without an M-16 bolt carrier. The lower is the registerable part and has all the AR-15 or M-16 fire control parts except the bolt carrier. M-16 full autos are tightly controlled by the feds and the proper paperwork must be in order to own one.0 -
Thank you guys for all the info. I'm aware of the paperwork needed in order to own an M16 in the USA. I'm looking at one that has the proper paperwork and just wanted to get additional information as I'd rather have a factory full auto then an AR15 conversion. Either way I'd need the proper paperwork for both of them anyway. 0 -
I once had an M16 (A1 I think), on full auto it worked as a single shot[}:)] 0 -
The term "AR-15" is copyrighted by Colt Industries. No other manufacturer may legally call his version an "AR-15". Colt discontinued most AR-15 models > 20 years ago due to legal & social reasons.
Other manufacturers really make what we call "AR-type" or "AR-clone" rifles.
Since you want to invest > $20,000 in a rifle, I think that you are right in wanting a factory Colt, as opposed to a conversion by a machine shop. Can you tell us what form it is registered on?
Neal0
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