M-16 Rifle, 39 inches long, 6.5 lb empty, 7.6 lb loaded, uses ball and tracer ammo only, a full magazine weighs 2/10 lb, magazine carries 20 rounds (but we actually loaded 19), gas operated, air cooled, selector switch has 3 positions (safe, semi-auto, automatic). Maximum range is 2,653 meters, maximum effective range is 460 meters. Rate of fire is 650-700 rounds per minute on full automatic, 150-200 rounds per minute when reloading 20-round magazines.
The M16 is very easy to field strip. First step is to remove the magazine and pull the charging handle to the rear, ejecting any cartridges, visually and physically check the chamber for a live round( stick your small finger into the action and check for a round, just beware of M16 pinkie). Put the butt of the rifle on the floor or table, and pull the hand guard retaining ring towards the receiver, lift out the hand guards. Push the rear retaining pin on the left side of the receiver inwards, and pull it out to the right. Swing the lower reeiver down away from the upper receiver. Pull the charging handle rearwards and remove the bolt housing.
Push the charging handle in till it engages its release slot, remove. On the bolt housing, remove the small cotter key and the bolt retaining pin, the bolt should now rotate out. Tap the rear of the bolt housing on a table to remove the firing pin. This is as far as you should go at removing parts on your M16/AR-15. You....
