Quote Originally Posted by bdydrpddualy
Negative...

M16A1....full auto, non-removable carrying handle

M16A2...only change was that the full auto was removed and replaced with a 3-round burst selection

M16A3....New picatinny rail mounting system takes the place of the handguards

M16A4....removable carrying handle to allow for newer optics to be mounted on rail system
Hmmmm

One wonders why go with an M16a4 when you can have an M16a3. the M16a3 has the ablity to full auto unlike the M16a4 which has the triple burst firing option of the M16a2. Going full auto is something that would very useful in a CQB style engagement which happens very often in MOUT situations.


The trigger/hammer group is basically similar to one, found in M1 Garand rifle, and, actually, traces its roots back to the early 1900s, when the great John M. Browning developed his famous Auto-5 semiautomatic shotgun. This basically consists of a hammer, a trigger, a disconnector, a full auto sear and some springs. The fire selector / safety switch is located at the left side of the receiver, above the pistol grip, and is easily operated by the right hand thumb. This switch has 3 positions: "safe", "semi" (single shots), and "auto" (full automatic on M16A1 and A3) or "burst" (3 rounds bursts, on M16A2 and A4). In the latter case (on the M16A2 and A4 rifles), the trigger unit also includes the ratchet device to count the shots fired.