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Posted: 3/6/2007 8:25:45 AM EDT
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Hi all Just curious... Are there any INTERNAL differences between 1960s model M16/M4 with the latest M16A4? Or they're the same systems? And what do you guys think about late Kalashnikovs' rifles like the AK-74/101/103? Thanks in advance |
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There was no M4 in the '60s, it did not exist until the 90s. And it depends on what you mean by internal. The very first M16s did not have forward assists or chrome lined bores/chambers, and did not have any protection around the magazine release. Some of these features were added on the M16A1 and all were present on the M16A2 which also had other refinements in the sights and barrel. From Wikipedia. |
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Internal parts from a 1960's M16 and a 2007 M16/M4 will interchange. That being said, there are some subtle differences on the parts, but the military seems to be pretty big on the reverse compatibility issue. Upgrades from the original M16 to the current M16A3 model include: Different (heavier, different shape) buffer stronger extractor spring chrome lined barrel and chamber forward assist notches on bolt carrier/forward assist Different shape of of charging handle 3 round burst fire control group instead of full auto fire control group Different shape front sight post Use of split pin instead of solid pin for firign pin retaining pin Change in profile at rear of firing pin Change in profile/shape of gas tube Change in profile of barrel in front of front sight base Addition of a drain hole in the frotn sight base spring recess change in hanguards from triangle to round Change in pistol grip shape Change in length of buttstock/made of stronger material Addition of fence aroudn mag realease button, thickening of lower receiver around bfufer tube mounting point buffer tueb changed from steel to aluminum (from what I can glean) That should cover about 95% of the changes. But like I said, pretty much any part from a 1964 model 601 Colt will work in a 2007 M16 and vice versa. the only thing that really won't work is a forward assist would not function with a 1964 non-notched bolt carrier. Most the cahgnes took place in a spurt in the mid to late 1960's and the late 1970's/early 1980's. There also may be some minor metallurgical changes in the bolt and carrier, but I don't know that for a fact. |
Friend, I know what you're getting at, but the facts are... The M16 of the '60's was a better rifle than even the updated/modernized versions of the AK-47/AK-74. The only problems with the earliest AR15/M-16's were ammo and maintainance-related. The ultimate development of the Kalashnikov system was probably the Israeli Galil. The Israeli's are now using the M16 system because the Galil was too heavy and expensive. |
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