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M16A4
Photo: Jan Hrdonka · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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M16A4

Assault Rifles · United States · 1963
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M16A4

M16A4
M16A4 Photo: Jan Hrdonka · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
75
Accuracy
70
Effective Range
60
Controllability
80
Reliability
65
Ergonomics
75
Modularity
85
Weight
70
Versatility
80
Cost-Effectiveness
75
Origin United States
CategoryAssault Rifles
EraCold War
In service1963
Operators13 countries
Quantity8,000,000
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
73
Assault Rifles MASS Rating
13/83
Cold War
78/279
All-Time
Assault Rifles · 10 axes scored
Firepower
75
Accuracy
70
Effective Range
60
Controllability
80
Reliability
65
Ergonomics
75
Modularity
85
Weight
70
Versatility
80
Cost-Effectiveness
75
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the assault rifles category.
01 / Overview
M16A4
Production
1963–
Quantity
8,000,000
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ASSAULT RIFLES · COLD WAR
13
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
80
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
73
assault rifles category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the assault rifles category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
  • First Production Year1963
  • Service Entry Year1964
  • DesignerEugene Stoner
  • Weight (Empty)3.4 kg
  • Weight (Loaded)4 kg
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
▣Operation6MOD.6
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
  • Muzzle Velocity960 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)550 m
  • Effective Range (area)800 m
  • Maximum Range3,600 m
◆Barrel & Sights6MOD.6
▤Construction5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost1MOD.1
  • Total Production8,000,000
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1945First deployment: Cold War
  2. 1963Production started
63
years in service
8,000,000
units produced
13
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
M16A4 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
2
Victories
2
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE9terms
A bayonet lug is a metal fitting on the barrel or muzzle of a firearm that provides a mounting point for a bayonet.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
A pistol feature allowing it to fire grenades or projectile rounds.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
A mounting system for attaching optical sights to rifles.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
A pistol barrel with external helical grooves allowing the attachment of a suppressor or other muzzle devices.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Assault Rifles entry →