Why does everyone consider the M16 unreliable?

[chewbachman]

I know there were some teething issues in Vietnam due to the fact they were issued without cleaning kits and told they were self cleaning, but they have been proven completely reliable since then if taken care of. What gives???? Starting at 6:12 and on from there in the second video is the real take home point.

https://youtu.be/YAneTFiz5WU

https://youtu.be/LyXndCxn9K4

https://youtu.be/y_tjKISQs2c

https://youtu.be/DX73uXs3xGU

[Al Capwned]

I guess it's mostly from those teething issues in Vietnam and then you have a bunch of people who never used or trained to use them. You know, those typical armchair general types, the ones who conveniently know everything but it turns out they are just wrong about a lot of stuff..

The same goes for the AK47's inflated reputation. Not saying it's a bad rifle, but some people put the thing on such a high pedestal and act as if it has little to know faults.

[999999999]

The first M-16's were terrible. Family members used to talk about using them in Korea and Nam saying that they break, jam and were too heavy.

[slowdeath]

Mag issues, ammo issues, improper training, lack of cleaning kits

Those were the problems in Vietnam

[Thlormby]

Because 15 year olds who think they know ♥♥♥♥ about actual warfare need to put the AK47 on a high pedestal.

[999999999]

Originally posted by i should be worried im temporary:

Mag issues, ammo issues, improper training, lack of cleaning kits

Those were the problems in Vietnam

That was only the start of the issues with the weapon.

[chewbachman]

As a platform I heard the AR and as such , the m16 and m4 did very well over the last two decades. It's wikipedia but I did check the articles. The info appears sound.

In early 2010, two journalists from the New York Times spent three months with soldiers and Marines in Afghanistan. While there, they questioned around 100 infantrymen about the reliability of their M4 Carbines, as well as the M16 rifle. Troops did not report to be suffering reliability problems with their rifles. While only 100 troops were asked, they fought at least a dozen intense engagements in Helmand Province, where the ground is covered in fine powdered sand (called "moon dust" by troops) that can stick to firearms. Weapons were often dusty, wet, and covered in mud. Intense firefights lasted hours with several magazines being expended. Only one soldier reported a jam when his M16 was covered in mud after climbing out of a canal. The weapon was cleared and resumed firing with the next chambered round. Furthermore, a Marine Chief Warrant Officer reported that there were no issues with his battalion's 700 M4s and 350 M16s.[59]

The reliability of the M4 has increased as the design was upgraded. In 1990, the M4 was required to fire 600 mean rounds between stoppages using M855 ammunition. In 2013, the current M4A1 version can fire 1,691 mean rounds between stoppages using M855A1 ammunition.[60]

During the 2009 Marine Corps Infantry Automatic Rifle testing, the Colt IAR displayed a MRBS of CLASS I/II Stoppages of 952 rounds, with a MRBEFF of Class III Stoppages of 60,000 rounds.[61]

[chewbachman]

In the end it seems the consensus is that the AR platform DOES require more care to remain reliable, but when cared for it has a higher tolerance to abuse than most rifles. Continued neglect looks to be where it falls short, one place where the AK excels.

[Mod Sloth]

Originally posted by chewbachman:

I know there were some teething issues in Vietnam due to the fact they were issued without cleaning kits and told they were self cleaning, but they have been proven completely reliable since then if taken care of. What gives???? Starting at 6:12 and on from there in the second video is the real take home point.

*snip*

Fists never jam.

[628]

Originally posted by chewbachman:

Why does everyone consider the M16 unreliable?

Because our great Avtomat Kalashnikova exists. ☭

[chewbachman]

Originally posted by El Muerto Bandito:

Everyone does? I'm pretty sure my niece and nephew who are still very young children have no idea what an M16 even is.

Originally posted by Mod Sloth:

Fists never jam.

Neither does a knife or sword.

Ha! How clever him is.