My M16A1 clone family

[Renegade04]

I have finally finished the last M16A1 clone for my collection. Here is the complete M16A1 collection.

Early 1967




Late 1967-1970




1971




1972-1973




1974-1982




Re-arsenal (XM16E1 or early M16A1 upper receiver with SAK replacement barrel)




If you are scratching your heads and wondering what the differences are, just ask.

[ALCOAR]

Very cool, thanks for posting. I'll be happy if I end my collection with one of them

[ABNAK]

Shouldn't the last two have the black nylon web sling? That's all we had as an Army grunt from 83-87. The all-black color anodizing (or arsenal painting?) was how I remember them.

IIRC the 1971 model onward actually had the bore AND chamber chromed, correct? The post-Ichord guns (until 1971) had chromed chambers but the bores were not, right?

[Renegade04]

Shouldn't the last two have the black nylon web sling? That's all we had as an Army grunt from 83-87. The all-black color anodizing (or arsenal painting?) was how I remember them.

IIRC the 1971 model onward actually had the bore AND chamber chromed, correct? The post-Ichord guns (until 1971) had chromed chambers but the bores were not, right?

When I went into the Marine Corps in 1978, the M16A1s we had in Boot Camp came with the black nylon slings (silent sling). We were also given the OD Green nylon slings (as was used on M14s). The black sling went into our foot locker and stayed there during training (except for drill) and were put back on the weapons before returning them to the armory at the end of training. When I got to my unit, all we used were the OD Green nylon slings. The OD Green nylon slings were widely used in Vietnam and for a few decades afterwards.

Many of the differences on M16A1s are subtle and only someone who knows what to look for will know. Until 1971, M16A1s had D type stocks. The same kind that the XM16E1s and Model 604s used. Starting in 1971, they started using E type stocks (w/trapdoor). 3-prong FHs were used on the early 1967 M16A1s and changed to the birdcage FH in late 1967. Until 1972, upper receivers had no forge codes. XM16E1s and pre-1972 M16A1s shared the same upper receivers. Starting in 1972-73, they had CK forge codes and a few were produced with CM forge codes. In 1974-82, they had CH forge codes. There was also some differences in barrel markings along the way as well. They varied from MP 12 (1966- Oct. 67), MP C (Oct. 1967-69), C MP C (1969-71), C MP B (1971-74), and C MP CHROME BORE (1974-82).

You are correct about the chrome bores on M16A1s starting in 1971. Chrome chambers started in Oct. 1967. The early 1967 (pre-October) M16A1s did not have chrome chambers.

[ABNAK]

You are correct about the chrome bores on M16A1s starting in 1971. Chrome chambers started in Oct. 1967. The early 1967 (pre-October) M16A1s did not have chrome chambers.

Kinda makes you wonder why they didn't just chrome both the chamber and bore when they started doing it for just the chamber. Especially given that the M-14 preceding it was chromed from front to rear of the barrel. I know that chroming the chamber was a result of the Ichord committee's recommendations, but why the hell not just do the whole thing while you're at it?

[Renegade04]

Kinda makes you wonder why they didn't just chrome both the chamber and bore when they started doing it for just the chamber. Especially given that the M-14 preceding it was chromed from front to rear of the barrel. I know that chroming the chamber was a result of the Ichord committee's recommendations, but why the hell not just do the whole thing while you're at it?

It does make you wonder.