M16, XM16E1 and M16A1 Development in Vietnam

This is a historical overview of the developmental changes of the M16 and M16A1 platform beginning after the Korean War and ending towards the end of the Vietnam War. I will discuss developmental design changes discussing the differences between the 601, 602, 603 XM16E1, 604 and M16A1. Enjoy!
Small Arms Solutions Video on M16: • Video

[@warshipsatin8764]

man i just love the look of the carry handle and triangular handguard

[@rotorheadv8]

The triangular hand guard was cool looking but it had its issues. If one side broke, it would always be the side they were out of in the armory. The seam ran along the top and bottom, right through the cooling holes. It often cracked or splintered at these points. If it was on the bottom, it would pinch the crap out of your hand, especially if you were running and had to hit the deck.

[@garrisonnichols807]

I've always like the look of the classic M16A1 model. Its just so iconic and is definitely one of my favorite rifles.

[@panzerabwerkanone]

You forgot that Eugene Stoner had specified a very specific process to be used for the chrome plating of the bolt and bolt carrier. Colt, in order to save money, went with their own plating process which resulted in the chrome plating of Colt guns flaking off under hard use and jamming the guns. This is why the bolt carriers and bolts were then only plated on the inside and parked on the outside.

[@leftistsarenotpeople]

Very few people realized it at the time and it has taken far too many decades for this fact to be fully understood: Eugene Stoner was an absolute GENIUS!

[@lars277]

I had a brand new M16A1 issued to me when I got to my permanent station in Germany in 1975. Harrington Richardson. Best 16 I ever shot. Accurate as heck. Very solid construction. No faults in my opinion. I thought it was an excellent rifle and I shot it well.

[@michaelduong1037]

This is honestly the most informative video I’ve seen the on early history of the M16 platform. Answered all my questions on M16 vs M16A1, 603 vs 604 etc. I live in Arlington and will definitely be stopping by the store to show my support. Thanks for the great video. Think I’ve watched the entire thing at least 5 times now.

[@joehackney1376]

We had the M16's that were coming back from Vietnam in Basic ('68) and AIT. They were always fouling out on the range. When I got to the Korean DMZ we had the M16A1, which I never had a problem with. The guys south of the Imjin still had M14's.

[@Sig-P226-LaMont]

Brings back memories 1982 Marine Corps HOORA”!!!

[@adamadams6740]

Freaking awesome video so much great info.the “Retro” stuff is crazy hot right now,I’ve always wanted an original Vietnam era M16,there so many small changes and differences in these guns,very cool history.thank you

[@steveedington5231]

very good video i watched the complete I have a sp1 bought in 1979 in Muncie at mermorial drive off of highway 3 still have it thank you

[@michaelduong1037]

Great video. It answered every question I had about retro M16 rifles. Very educational. Now to head over to Brownells and build myself a clone correct retro rifle.

[@Jasonkarl12]

Fantastic video. Love the history behind this rifle.

[@jonnyprepper]

Chris, Wow, such a knowledgeable and incredible effort you put in on such an interesting history of this gun. I grew up in Singapore in the 70's and as a school kid there I was infatuated with the M16. Now Im older I have a few AR15's myself and I just love them and especially their history. Thank you. Jon - New Zealand

[@gdmofo]

What beautiful rifles I was issued a Vietnam War era General Motors hydra-matic division M16 rifle as a young Soldier stationed in Panama 1980 through 1983 brings back good memories love the original rifle

[@dukecraig2402]

I was in the Army from 83 to 86, by the time I got out I was so sick of dragging one of those things around everywhere I went I hoped I'd never see another one again as long as I lived. My issue weapon in basic training had a six digit serial number and was stamped XM16E1.

[@gdmofo]

@@dukecraig2402 the M16 was a secondary rifle for me try packing around an M60 belt-fed machine gun humping the jungle you would get tired of that real quick being the big guy in the platoon I was the 60 Gunner 193rd infantry Brigade Panama Canal Zone 1980 through 1983

[@joejordan6511]

Very Informative video!Thanks for sharing.

[@davidca96]

Great video, very in depth thanks for making this.

[@calebdoner]

Super educational and fascinating! Thanks!

[@darwin5763]

That was an amazing history thank you for your video

[@ImminentChaos1]

Excellent video!

[@rcairnut]

great video, thanks for your work on it.

[@jeffjackson6965]

Very informative!

[@elifoust7664]

Great presentation.

[@TheBiggestIron]

Great video

[@chrischiampo7647]

Excellent Video Such Amazing Details And So Many Awesome Rifles And Thank You For The Detailed Knowledge You Have Bestowed Upon Me 😊😊😊👍🏼🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😇

[@user-rw1oj4bo7e]

The 173rd army brigade landing in May of 1965 Was not the first US combat unit to land Vietnam. The ninth marine regiment had already landed on the 5th of March and was conducting combat patrols by that time.

[@rotorheadv8]

I remember being issued demilled rifles at Quantico for a particularly nasty course of training. They didn’t want our real rifles getting that trashed. There were at least 4 different models. Some are mentioned in this video.

[@Chiller01]

What a great collection.

[@jeffjackson6965]

Nice video!

[@donnstambaugh1506]

Well done, thx.,.

[@cliffords2315]

I had the M16A1 with the original forward assist,pointed style not the round kind, the M16A2 we got in 88 had the round assit, new style handgaurds and grips, New Sight system and tripple burst fire mode and semi not full auto.

[@scinto23]

How come Colt was and is always on the verge of closing....

[@cosmolineandgritsforbreakf3795]

L J basically colt has always had poor management through out the years. They would develop good products and then they would get lost in the matrix.

[@jackmehoff2363]

Because they did things like offer a basic ar15 that was not at a competitive price point. Could get one for half price and have better everything. Did things like offer retro rifles at double the price of everyone else.

[@user-rw1oj4bo7e]

The M2 fully automatic carbine was not a Korean war modification. The M2 was bringing up the carbine to the original army required specifications that couldn't initially be produced at the onset World War 2. About the beginning of 1943 is when the M 2's were originally produced, And most of the original M1 carbines were retrofitted and stamped over as M2's.

[@dw7094]

By 1969 just about all of the M16's in combat were a hodgepodge of rifle parts, all manufactured by various contractors, Having a pristine or model correct weapon was next to impossible. Also, if there was slop in the upper/lower fit, the rifle never jammed.

[@ryanharris6045]

Great history lesson! Is there any information about the minimal standard for accuracy? What I mean is how big could the shot groups be before the army would ship the rifle back to Colt and tell them to fix it.

[@travhammer]

The modern M16 firing pin still strikes the primer leaving a dimple , yet not enough inertia to detonate

[@chrischiampo7647]

The Dissipator is My Favorite 😊

[@ERICMARIONLLEDO]

This is the best video tackling the evolution of the M16 that I've seen! I was planning to buy Brownell's retro rifle but I'm torn between their replica of the XM16E1 and the M16A1. I was hoping to get the closest and most predominantly used variant in the Vietnam war. Which one would you get if you were in my position? The XM16E1 or M16A1 replica? Thank you!

[@MarksmanTV]

Thanks for watching! I would personally recommend the XM16E1... I just think it is more historically interesting. Both are great options. Thanks again!

[@ERICMARIONLLEDO]

MarksmanTV Thank you sir. I appreciate it. I enjoy your videos. Awesome job. I can’t wait for more.

[@brucecamparmament3728]

It really comes down to what year in the Vietnam war you are referring to. But the Xm16E1 will probably be the more predominate variant found as it was issued/re-issued over more years of the war then the M16 and M16A1. Plus you get a hard chromed bolt carrier group and the 3 prong flash hider (which is cool)

[@ERICMARIONLLEDO]

Bruce@CampArmament Thank you sir. Yes that’s why I’m so torn between the two bcoz the chrome bcg and 3 prong flash hider looks really cool! But the M16A1 is iconic. I’ve known of it since I was a kid watching war movies. Thanx for the advice. Appreciate it. It made me even more confused tho. Haha

[@ERICMARIONLLEDO]

MarksmanTV Thanks to you I have decided to build an XM16E1 clone! May I know what bcg I should get? The one that Brownells sell is matte chrome. Is that correct? Thanx again sir.

[@CarlosGunX]

Super presentation, Chris. I own a transferable 614. Rolled "Colt AR15 Model 614". Selector is "Safe-Semi-Full". Has the three prone hider, full fencing, stock cleaning compartment parkerized carrier, and no forward assist. Do you have any idea if the rifle is factory correct? Thanks..

[@dylangreen9819]

The 614 designation would be a commercially sold rifle, when full auto rifles were legal. Not a military rifle

[@bobscruggs8886]

I was station at the Marine Barracks Naval Ordnance testing service " NOTS " as an MP in 1962 one day we had a class an engineer from Armalite showed us the AR 15 I think it was green maybe black anyway he told us that this rifle is the future of combat small arms and showed us the 5.6 mini round we kind of smirked we had WW2 M1 30-06 rifles with 16 in bayonets this seemed like a toy to us. They had testing with engineers and a few Sergeant's with full automatic on 55 gal drums filled with water the feed back was Wow! however if we had to go to combat most would have chosen the M1 over the M 15 only because we never had shot it or knew the benefits it did bring to the battlefield.

[@TOMAS-lh4er]

I would love to see your collection of M-16s ...

[@shojus]

NICE rifles!

[@kevinroberson1985]

Hey I like your shoulder strap it's authentic.but you need to put the loose end of your strap to the outside and you will have your strap on your rifle correct! And you have a nice collection of rifles keep up the good work.

[@JonathanLGN]

Excellent information! Which model did not come standard with a dust cover? Or did they all come with one? Thank you.

[@brucecamparmament3728]

they all came with one

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

Not sure what that bit about the Viet Cong calling it a 'black rifle' is supposed to mean, besides being an interesting historical factoid. I doubt the Cong were even the first to call it that considering it's literally a black rifle and anyone who had seen it at a distance or wasn't sure the name of it would use that as an easy way to reference it or learn more about it.

[@celmer6]

In Vietnam they were Colt XM Gray with black butt,pistol grip and handgaurds.

[@300whiteout9]

Awesome rifles

[@Semyon_Semyonych]

When did they replace the Delta charging handle with the T one?

[@supersexyfatguy]

How does that 4 way selector work if there's still the two little indexing bumps on the receiver? It would still only be able to point 3 directions.

[@thetman0068]

The stops are just end of travel guides. The selector switch detent controls where it actually stops.

[@LL-fi4rr]

Hi, it looks like a few of the lower receivers do not have Colt or ArmaLite roll marks on the bolt release side of the rifle. Is that period correct?

[@richardlahan7068]

Checked the price of the book and it's over $200.00!

[@romeoechofoxtrot18]

Who needs a forward assist all you need is a slick side 604

[@acidfuzzpedals9986]

Was original Vietnam era M16A1 furniture painted black, or was the fiberglass material itself black with no exterior coating?

[@assafsubiranamurillo2664]

Which was used in Vietnam? The grey one or the black one?

[@michaelpierson7256]

Someware around here ive got a mil blueprint on the ballport M16 for The M2 bradley IFV.

[@user-py5qq4ht8l]

so if I understand you correctly the USMC used the Colt 604 early in Vietnam? Any idea which units would have received those rifles. I wanted to do a Vietnam impression but was only able to get a colt 604, and not the m16a1, so having a specific USMC unit I could research would be a great help!

[@kimberlysteller2556]

My father used one in h+s co attached to 3/26 3rd Mar Div as an sniper. Khe Sahn hill 881s. I have pictures if you want to see em. Just do not know how to share the damn link.

[@user-py5qq4ht8l]

@@kimberlysteller2556 does youtube not let you post a link in the comments or something? I am curious for the pics now

[@kimberlysteller2556]

Its an u tube of pics

[@kimberlysteller2556]

My father wascin 1965-1966, 2nd bat 4th marines , they used m14, but during his second tour he said they had an choice to use the new rifle, but his group did not, they kept m14 until mid 1967. But he used one ,he said it waa xm16e1. He put 3-9 weaver scope on rings made for him by colt firearms. He was attached to 3/26 under cpt dabney on hill 881s.

[@mutationdesign]

Just subbed, now do the carbines

[@LudwigJoel]

M16 THE REAL TOOL Thanks to God and Eugene

[@ruggerorandisi7785]

Why you say June 1967 when talking about the final testing phase of the XM16E1 and then you say the M16A1 was introduced on the 28th of February 1967? Did you mean 1968 each time you mentioned the A1 but you said 1967? I find many videos and sources saying the A1 was introduced in early/mid 1968 and some even saying 1969, but now you say early 1967, so I’m confused. May you explain please?

[@bjornsmith9431]

Army Ordinates sabotage the Armalite Rifle in 1958 never want to give up Springfield Armour or M14 Rifle, deliberate stop outside developer with new ideas, same sabotage with the US Soldiers and Marines by the Army Ordinates in 1965-67 on the XM16E1 rifles till the arrival of the M16A1 Rifles on Feb 28, 1967, Army ordinates should be blamed for the problems with XM16E rifle not the rifle itself, that cost lives.

[@brianmiller2739]

Its not called evolution..of an entity...its development

[@eynquade178]

What is the name of the bottom rifle

[@MarksmanTV]

Colt 605

[@josephiacovelli5395]

Great video. You state the 605 is the first attempt to make a m16 carbine, I have read others who state the same. So I believe this to be true. My point is by the standards of the 1930"s and 40"s the 20" barrel is of carbine length. So would not the 20" M16 be a carbine as apposed to a full size battle riffle?

[@warrenharrison9490]

M1 carbines 16" length was reason for the change of rifle length from 18" for purposes of the NFA, as so many were sold to the public as surplus in error, it was easier to change law. Guessing this may be reason of determining what was a carbine, in this area.

[@j.mangum7652]

Does the Air Force still use non forward assist uppers?

[@300whiteout9]

DainBramaged 4Lyf No I didn’t serve in the Air Force but I guess an A2 or M4 variant

[@mericaactual3030]

2000-2006 we had forward assist.

[@georgewhitworth9742]

When I went through cira 2019, our inert training rifles were clapped out A2's.

[@kimberlysteller2556]

My father used an xm16e1 in vietnam in 67-68 as a sniper weapon i think? But it may be an a1 im not sure. I have pictures of it but cannot seem to get em to this chat.

[@dukecraig2402]

The M16 was never used as a sniper weapon, some special operations troops (Green Berets, Seals etc) tried some with scopes mounted not as actual sniper rifles but as accuracy enhanced weapons, but because by the time you mounted a scope on top of the already tall carrying handle of an M16 it's so high up you can't rest your cheek on the stock when looking through it which makes them unacceptable as an actual sniper rifle, that along with the .223/5.56mm cartridge not having the power and range required for an actual sniper rifle. The sniper variant of the M1 rifle the M1D was used as the primary sniper rifle in the Army until 1969 when the accurized National Match grade M14 with a Leatherwood ART scope mounted to it was adopted as the standard sniper rifle that stayed in service until the late 80's when it was replaced by a version of the civilian Remington Model 700 bolt action rifle outfitted with a scope and other features for the military for use as a sniper rifle. There were however M16's used in Vietnam that had night vision "starlight" scopes mounted on them for use at night, not as actual sniper rifles but just adopted for night use, a picture of one of them might appear to be a sniper rifle to someone who didn't know exactly what they were looking at.

[@kimberlysteller2556]

@@dukecraig2402 you are wrong sir. My father used his issue m16 on hill 881 s during khe sahn battle and the previous hill fights before. Attached to india co 3/26 under Dabney. He used an custom colt built scope mount and weaver 3-9 scope. I have the pics to prove it. Now it was not an issue sniper rifle although he said an long shot was 100 yds because of the terrain.

[@dukecraig2402]

@@kimberlysteller2556 No I'm not "wrong", I explained to you that while some M16's with scopes were fielded in Vietnam they weren't used as sniper rifles. The problem is that like a lot of people you're misusing the term sniper, just because someone in the military has a rifle with a scope on it doesn't make them a sniper or what they have a sniper rifle, a perfect example is after the war on terror started and our troops found themselves in Afghanistan where shots were commonly beyond the range of an M16 and it's 5.56mm cartridge the military broke out old M14's and mounted scopes on them to be given to soldiers who company commander's would pick based on being the best shots in their unit and were known as Designated Marksmen, but that hardly makes them a "Sniper", but many people not knowing better will see a picture of one of them and misuse the term by saying "look at the sniper in this picture". Snipers work in teams with a shooter and a spotter, they receive specialized training in a course that lasts months, just because someone has a rifle with a scope on it does not make them a sniper nor does it make what they're holding a sniper rifle, and I also explained to you that yes, there was some M16's fielded with scopes in small numbers in Vietnam, but they were not sniper rifles nor were they classified as one, as I explained it was more of a designated marksman rifle before the term was actually invented. The scoped M16's that saw service in small numbers in Vietnam amounted to the same thing Colt did with several variations of the M16, they'd make up small numbers of something and send them over there as a "try this out and let us know what you think" kind of thing, actual snipers did not use scoped M16's, they didn't have the range necessary with it's 5.56mm cartridge along with the problem of once you mount a scope on top of that already tall carrying handle you can't rest your cheek on the stock, a "cheek weld" is one of the 8 steady hold factors of a rifle scoped or not, it was because of that issue that after the war Colt developed the H-Bar variant of the M16 with it's removable carrying handle that slid off on rails that a scope could be slid on in it's place, although not used by the military because of it's 5.5.56mm cartridge they were adopted by forces like Police SWAT team's where because of their use in cities a long range cartridge isn't necessary. The rifles that the Marine Corps fielded as actual sniper rifles in Vietnam were all .30 caliber, they used left over M1D's, M1C's (which were basically the same thing) and scoped M1903's all from WW2, along with Winchester Model 70's and although made up by the United States Army Marksmenship Unit the M21 sniper variant of the M14 in small numbers.

[@georgewhitworth9742]

@@kimberlysteller2556I am sorry, but he is correct.

[@maxcady645]

So the XM16E1 was used for most of the war? And the a1 was just an upgraded one that came around in 1967? So I’m guessing that in the tet offensive every guy would have an m16a1?

[@JokahFACE]

Looking at photographs of the tet offensive, it doesn't seem that way - lots of features from the xm16e1 still being carried around.

[@fredmonahan3627]

During the TET Offensive the M-16A1 was not completely phased in with the USMC. The XM16E1 has given the USAF M-16 a bad repratation the last 55 years.

[@fredmonahan3627]

@@JokahFACE In late 1967 chrome bolts and chambers were installed in XM16E1'S and thusly called M-16A1'S even though the receivers still said XM16E1. Of course a whole new barrel with chrome chamber and 'Bird Cage' flash supressor included making it an M16A1. Bad times. We had many XM16E1s destroyed in combat in 1967 in 3rd Marine Division so many were never converted to M16A1's but new A-1's were manufactured the way they should have been when the USAF was destroyed by SECDEF McNamara taking away the chrome chambers, and bolt carriers to make the less expensive XM16E1's.

[@kimberlysteller2556]

My father was in the usmc and in nam from 65-66 and 67-68 most of second tour at k-sahn during hill fights. And was issued an xm16e1.

[@thecanadiancrosshandedgolf1770]

What about the Car-15 &xm177 e1 and E2 ?

[@MarksmanTV]

Nathan Cote Those are carbines... this video is meant to cover the rifles. As soon as I get a good collection of carbines, I’ll do a video on those. Thanks for watching!

[@thecanadiancrosshandedgolf1770]

@@MarksmanTV i was just wondering the dates of development off them 64-66 was the Car-15 i have an airsoft car 15 with an Xm177 flash hider on it

[@SKY-jv9ue]

The M16A1 had the habit of jamming during intense combat and, this fact actually made national news at the time. But it was light and easy to clean. HOWEVER, it jammed on me during a battle in the A Shau Valley, 1969. So I broke it in two, and carried it until we got back to base camp, and gave it to our unit armorer at supply for repair. In a joking manner, I ask the supply man, "you got any M-14s on hand!"'

[@coldcase5844]

cool story bro

[@rogerborroel4707]

@@coldcase5844 Thanks! My FO gave me his .45, but I gave it back to him - it's a pea shooter in the bush.

[@hairydogstail]

M-16A1 was not the rifle that made national news lol. The problems were fixed in the M-16A1...

[@elifoust7664]

1974 ARMY days

[@coatingsplatingsjas1powder557]

that's a $500 BOOK

[@CaptGus]

That book is $300

[@coldcase5844]

this video was narrated by charlie browns teacher.

[@philliplatham4256]

👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸💯💯🔫🔫☕️☕️🤟🏻🤟🏻

[@hash46176]

Im getting ready to build an m16a2 with a1 handguards

[@stevenkuznar9165]

Don't do it!.. that's an abomination, do one or the other , please keep it correct.

[@georgewhitworth9742]

@@stevenkuznar9165It's an AR he's building himself, calm down.

[@63DIRTY]

8 minutes in and you haven't talked about the variations

[@MarksmanTV]

The red bar at the bottom of the screen will help you navigate the video more quickly if there are certain details you don't care about listening to. Thanks for watching

[@sagraron]

I would leave a like but you got 666...

[@Leatherface123.]

So m16a1 does the A stand for assault

[@dylangreen9819]

The "a" designation is updated models. In order M16A1, M16A2, M16A3 etc

[@warrenharrison9490]

​@@dylangreen9819addendum maybe🤔

[@dmitrykarkov4747]

lol E1 is superior

[@duchoawaterplant3099]

These are ar 15 do not m 16

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

The difference being historical and legal if we're talking about the lack of fully-automatic capability, which is a small gripe I feel considering the effort of the author to create good facsimiles.

[@gijoe5372]

Thats not true

[@georgewhitworth9742]

Wow, such a well articulated and imaccualtely stated arguement. -_-