What was/is most lacking about your service weapon?

[Renegade04]

I will have to say that when I joined the Marine Corps back in 1978, all we knew was the M16A1. It lacked nothing because we had nothing else. As Marines, we learn to adapt and overcome and we try to do the best with what we have/had. When I was in the Air Force Reserve many years later, I got to experience the M16A2 for the first time as well as a Model 604 and a GAU-5/A/A. That was the first carbine I ever had my hands on. I loved training with it, especially in the woods. Way easier to maneuver in thick brush than a 20" rifle.

[indianalex01]

I will have to say that when I joined the Marine Corps back in 1978, all we knew was the M16A1. It lacked nothing because we had nothing else. As Marines, we learn to adapt and overcome and we try to do the best with what we have/had. When I was in the Air Force Reserve many years later, I got to experience the M16A2 for the first time as well as a Model 604 and a GAU-5/A/A. That was the first carbine I ever had my hands on. I loved training with it, especially in the woods. Way easier to maneuver in thick brush than a 20" rifle.

With the rounds available during your era, I would’ve taken the A1/A2 based on bullet performance. Semper Fi