Reliability Improvements M16 - M4A1

[prepare]

List the reliability improvements that have been implemented starting with the military fielding the M16 through the M4A1. (Not civilian AR's)

For organization list the improvements that only pertain to reliability in the cycle of operation and those that addressed known issues and increased service life. Not furniture, sights, etc.

For example chrome lining barrels, what corrective actions were taken to address bolt failures, extraction issues, etc.

Hopefully we can put it in chronological order later.

[TomMcC]

Buffer weight was changed to slow the cyclic rate due to a switch from IMR powder to ball powder....I think.

[17K]

Copper extractor spring and black insert.

[TomMcC]

The forward assist was added, but that will probably incur some denial as to it's addition to reliability.

[alx01]

magazines, springs, and followers went through multiple iterations.

standard 5.56 round went through a few revisions as well. I suspect a gunpowder changed quite a bit to improve performance/reliability.

thicker barrel on M4A1 (socom) probably didn't improve reliability as much as stability under high rate of fire.

[TomMcC]

magazines, springs, and followers went through multiple iterations.

standard 5.56 round went through a few revisions as well. I suspect a gunpowder changed quite a bit to improve performance/reliability.

thicker barrel on M4A1 (socom) probably didn't improve reliability as much as stability under high rate of fire.

The early gun powder change actually made the rifle less reliable by jacking up the cyclic rate from about 750 rpm to something like 950 rpm. If I remember correctly, this powder fouled more.

[prepare]

Within the parameters of reliability in the cycle of operation it doesn't appear there was much to improve upon the original Stoner design with the gun itself.

[mig1nc]

Midlength gas system on the URGI.


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[prepare]

Wasn't there a problem with bolts breaking after the GWOT kicked off?

Seems like that was do to a manufacturing process that didn't require any design modifications...

[DoubleW]

Chrome lining of bore/chamber, fencing on lower receiver, forward assist, thickened barrel profile (A2, M4, SOCOM), extractor insert, O ring and gold extractor spring, M4 feed ramps, various buffer weight corresponding to barrel length and gas port size.