a heavier, stiffer
barrel than the barrel of the M16A1;
a redesigned
handguard, using two identical halves, with a round
contour which is sturdier and provides a better grip
when holding the rifle;
a new buttstock and
pistol grip made of a tougher injection moldable
plastic that provides much greater resistance to
breakage;
an improved rear
sight which can be easily adjusted for windage and
range;
a modified upper
receiver design to deflect ejected cartridges, and
preclude the possibility of the ejected cartridges
hitting the face of a left-handed firer;
a burst control
device, that limits the number of rounds fired in
the automatic mode to three per trigger pull, which
increases accuracy while reducing ammunition
expenditure;
a muzzle
compensator, designed to reduce position disclosure
and improve controllability and accuracy in both
burst and rapid semi-automatic fire;
a heavier barrel
with a 1 in 7 twist to fire NATO standard SS 109
type (M855) ammunition which is also fired from the
M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). This further
increases the effective range and penetration of the
rifle cartridge. The M16A2 will also shoot the older
M193 ammunition designed for a 1 in 12 twist.
Video: TOP 10 Combat Rifles of All Time - M16 (No.2)
PVS-14, Monocular NVG (Can be mounted on M16 carrying
handle using a rail adapter)
5860-01-471-2091
Laser Borelight System (LBS); used for field-zeroing
mechanical and optical sights
RFI (Rapid Fielding
Initiative) Accessories (Major End Items). Fielded routinely
to units through Force Modernization program, or through RFI bulk-issue
during prep for deployment.
1005-01-452-6771
M5 Rail Adapter System (allows installation of accessories,
such as a PEQ-2 or Surefire Tac-Light on front handguard)
RFI (Rapid Fielding
Initiative) Accessories (Non
Major End Items). Fielded routinely
to units through Force Modernization program, or through RFI bulk-issue
during prep for deployment.
NSN
Description
1005-01-541-1772
Rifle Bipod; Also called Forward Grip
Bipod
1005-01-541-1771
Tactical Sling; Also called 3-Point
Sling
(TBP; LIN ZA905D)
Enhanced sliding M4/M4A1 buttstock
assembly; currently being mounted and used on M16-series rifle in large
numbers because of the need to maneuver the weapon inside confined
spaces (HMMWV interiors, for
instance). However, Ground Precautionary Messages state
that this is "not authorized and can result in injury or equipment
damage."
Tactical Sling (not the RFI version),
made by Blackhawk! and distributed
through the Army supply system. Carries weapon across chest,
muzzle oriented downward, "at the ready"
Multiple magazine holder; New AAL
Item, may be included in RFI in the future
1005-01-541-2476
Forward rail bracket (also called CQB
kit mini-rail); New AAL Item, may be included in RFI in the future
1005-00-921-5004
Standard 30-round magazine
1005-00-118-6192
M15A2 Blank Firing Adapter / Attachment (red in color,
for M16 rifle only; yellow BFA, M23, NSN 1005-01-361-8308, is for the M4
carbine only)
5340-00-880-7666
Cap, Protective, Dust. Keeps dust and dirt from
entering the muzzle during normal operations, and can be left in place
until the weapon is fired, but must be removed periodically to prevent
rust build-up.
3rd Party Accessories
-- COTS (Commercial, Off-the-Shelf)
Company
Description
Various
Tactical Sling. Carries weapon across chest,
muzzle oriented downward, "at the ready"
