When I went through basic they showed us a cheesy film on how to clear the M-16 when it has been totally submerged in water. I recall once you were dry again you were to lower the muzzle and crack the chamber open a bit to release the vacuum and allow the water to leave the barrel. I am curious if this is still what they teach or if there is another way of clearing the barrel.

As far as I know there are no special parts to make an AR/M-16 safer for this enviroment. At least they didn't cover them in my LEO armorers course. But then again cops rarely find themselves rising up out of a bathtub to tactically quell a DV.

Hunter out...

no, nothing new.  Pull charging handle back an inch or so, release, tap the forward assist, and away you go.