Posted on May 23, 2017
Congressman claims M-16 is defective - May 23, 1967 - HISTORY.com
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A public controversy over the M-16, the basic combat rifle in Vietnam, begins after Representative James J. Howard (D-New Jersey) reads a letter to the House of Representatives in which a Marine in Vietnam claims that almost all Americans killed in the battle for Hill 881 died as a result of their new M-16 rifles jamming. The Defense Department acknowledged on August 28 that there had been a “serious increase in frequency of malfunctions in the M-16.”
The M-16 had become the standard U.S. infantry rifle in Vietnam earlier in 1967, replacing the M-14. Almost two pounds lighter and five inches shorter than the M-14, but with the same effective range of over 500 yards, it fired a smaller, lighter 5.56-mm cartridge. The M-16 could be fired fully automatic (like a machine gun) or one shot at a time.
Because the M-16 was rushed into mass production, early models were plagued by stoppages that caused some units to request a reissue of the M-14. Technical investigation revealed a variety of causes for the defect, in both the weapon and ammunition design, and in care and cleaning in the field. With these deficiencies corrected, the M-16 became a popular infantry rifle that was able to hold its own against the Soviet-made AK-47 assault rifle used by the enemy.
@ SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas Capt Christopher MuellerCOL Mikel J. BurroughsSgt Joe LaBrancheSSgt (Join to see)Capt Seid WaddellSrA Christopher Wright LTC Stephen F.PO2 Ed C. SFC(P) Hercules Lobo MSG Tom EarleyPVT James Strait Alan K. PO1 William "Chip" NagelSGT John " Mac " McConnell SFC William Farrell LTC (Join to see) SPC Britanny *Winnie* Balthaser SSgt Robert Marx PO1 Tony Holland
The M-16 had become the standard U.S. infantry rifle in Vietnam earlier in 1967, replacing the M-14. Almost two pounds lighter and five inches shorter than the M-14, but with the same effective range of over 500 yards, it fired a smaller, lighter 5.56-mm cartridge. The M-16 could be fired fully automatic (like a machine gun) or one shot at a time.
Because the M-16 was rushed into mass production, early models were plagued by stoppages that caused some units to request a reissue of the M-14. Technical investigation revealed a variety of causes for the defect, in both the weapon and ammunition design, and in care and cleaning in the field. With these deficiencies corrected, the M-16 became a popular infantry rifle that was able to hold its own against the Soviet-made AK-47 assault rifle used by the enemy.
@ SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas Capt Christopher MuellerCOL Mikel J. BurroughsSgt Joe LaBrancheSSgt (Join to see)Capt Seid WaddellSrA Christopher Wright LTC Stephen F.PO2 Ed C. SFC(P) Hercules Lobo MSG Tom EarleyPVT James Strait Alan K. PO1 William "Chip" NagelSGT John " Mac " McConnell SFC William Farrell LTC (Join to see) SPC Britanny *Winnie* Balthaser SSgt Robert Marx PO1 Tony Holland
Congressman claims M-16 is defective - May 23, 1967 - HISTORY.com
Posted from history.com
Vietnam War
American History
Military History
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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One of the reason when in combat in 'Nam, if someone got his hands on an AK-47 the M-16 came up missing. Good morning Mark, great share.
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There were initial issues with the M-16 rifle which is not surprising for a mass produced system SP5 Mark Kuzinski. All weapons system require regular care, cleaning and maintenance.
The 5.56mm round M-16 was introduced as a replacement for the slightly heavier 7.62mm round M-14 rifle which was more robust.
I am glad that Representative James J. Howard (D-New Jersey) drew attention to the issues with the M-16. Stoppages in combat all-too-frequently mean death for those whose weapons malfunction.
The Kalashnikov AK-47 was designed to function in much worse conditions and with much less care and maintenance than the M-16. The AK-47 has been the choice of minimally-funded national militaries and terrorists groups for decades.
Images: M-16 schematic; M14 and M14a1; AK47 -Schematic of the AK47 gas piston system
LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Cpl Joshua Caldwell MSG Andrew White
The 5.56mm round M-16 was introduced as a replacement for the slightly heavier 7.62mm round M-14 rifle which was more robust.
I am glad that Representative James J. Howard (D-New Jersey) drew attention to the issues with the M-16. Stoppages in combat all-too-frequently mean death for those whose weapons malfunction.
The Kalashnikov AK-47 was designed to function in much worse conditions and with much less care and maintenance than the M-16. The AK-47 has been the choice of minimally-funded national militaries and terrorists groups for decades.
Images: M-16 schematic; M14 and M14a1; AK47 -Schematic of the AK47 gas piston system
LTC Stephen C. LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright PO1 William "Chip" Nagel Cpl Joshua Caldwell MSG Andrew White
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
LTC Stephen F. I know it didn't win any Popularity Contests at First but by My Time, I heard little Bitching, I do remember some Snide Remarks that it was Made by Mattel.
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SP5 Mark Kuzinski - Mark,as you know I have posted many times on the completely unreliable piece of junk M16 we were issued in 1966 Vietnam from personal experience myself and many members of my unit were left without a working weapon to return fire,this policy of using a combat zone as testing platform was criminal and shameful. I always thought our Country's leaders could have done much better for the guys in harms way.
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