M16A4 rifle

firearm

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Last updated

July 20, 2026

Quick Summary

ArmaLite rifle From top, four assault rifles: M16A1, M16A2, M4, and M16A4. The M16 and M4 models are manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company and have been standard issue weapons for United States and NATO military forces since the 1960s.

The M16A4 is a variant of the M16 rifle, an assault rifle developed by Eugene Stoner for ArmaLite Inc. in the late 1950s. It was designed as a lighter, more portable alternative to existing battlefield rifles. The M16A4 is the standard infantry weapon for the U.S. Marine Corps and fires 5.56-mm ammunition. It typically features a 20 or 30-round magazine and can fire 700–950 rounds per minute. Optional enhancements include grenade launchers and targeting systems. The M16 family of rifles is known for its use of aluminum and composite materials, making it lighter than many predecessors.1

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M16 rifle
The M16A4—the standard infantry weapon of the U.S. Marine Corps since 2003—weighs less than 3.3 kg (just over 7 pounds) unloaded. It measures 100 cm (39 inches) long, has a 20-round or 30-round magazine, and fires 5.56-mm (.223-calibre) ammunition at a rate of 700–950 rounds per…
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The M16A4—the standard infantry weapon of the U.S. Marine Corps since 2003—weighs less than 3.3 kg (just over 7 pounds) unloaded. It measures 100 cm (39 inches) long, has a 20-round or 30-round magazine, and fires 5.56-mm (.223-calibre) ammunition at a rate of 700–950 rounds per…
Read More