Yes, it will work just fine in a semi-auto. The differences between the kits are that the M-16 kit adds two parts: 1) anti-bounce weight, and 2) sear trip/connector. These will be the two parts that are "loose in the box" on a Ciener M-16 kit. Just install the kit sans these two parts, and you will have exactly what is sold as an "AR-15" kit, there are no other differences.