The modernized, updated version of the AR15 platform, currently in use by the United States
Army and Marine Corps. While in less numbers than the M16A2, and generally only used by frontline units, it is arguably better than its predecessor. The M16A4 features a picatinny rail, a railed fore
grip, detachable sights, and a 1:7' rifling, rather than the 1:12' and 1:9' rifling previous models had, which equates to better
power and accuracy. The M16A4 is, essentially, an M16A3, but with a safe/semi/3-round burst selector
switch, rather than a safe/semi/fully-automatic
switch.
Standard magazine capacity is 30-rounds of M855 or
Mk. 262 5.56x45mm ball ammunition. It is
gas-operated, with a rotating bolt. It is
air-cooled, with an external, detachable magazine, peep hole sights, a forward assist, and a charging handle mounted on top of the receiver, behind the picatinny/carrying rail.
Reliability in the M16A4 is solid; one is capable of firing upwards of 1,000 standard, ball rounds through a decently maintained rifle, with STANAG magazines, without a single
jam or malfunction. While disputably not as good as the
AK platform, it is a far cry from the M16(A0), and is a step up from the M16A2.
The M16A4, along with its predecessors, spare the M16(A0) are unworthy of the negative
press they receive. They are great rifles, but the first version, which was heavily modified by Lyndon
Johnson's DoD, has stained the M16/AR15's reputation, due to the reliability
issues faced previously.