The M16A3: A Variant of the M16 Family with Full-Auto Capability
The M16A3, a variant of the renowned M16 rifle family, was developed and adopted in the late 1990s and early 2000s for specific military units within the U.S. armed forces. This rifle is a modified version of the M16A2, featuring a significant change in its fire control group. The M16A3 offers fully automatic fire rather than the 3-round burst offered by the M16A2, making it a unique and specialized variant.
Origins and Development
The M16A3 originally emerged as a project under the name 'M16A2E3' with the NSN (Numbered Standardized Nomenclature) 1005-01-367-5112. This designation distinguished it from the standard M16A2 rifles, which were known for their 3-round burst capability and limited fully automatic fire.
Development of the M16A3 was carried out by civilian manufacturers such as Colt and FN Herstal. These companies produced these modified rifles during the 1990s and possibly into the early 2000s. Although the M16A3 was adopted for military use, it did not see widespread adoption among the branches of the U.S. military.
Design and Features
Visually, the M16A3 is nearly identical to the M16A2, with the only distinguishable feature being the fire control group. The primary difference lies in the fully automatic fire mode compared to the 3-round burst fire mode of the M16A2. This alteration makes the M16A3 a unique variant designed for specialized operations that require rapid and continuous fire.
The M16A3 also includes an integral Picatinny rail, which allows for the mounting of optics and other sights. The addition of the rail provides greater flexibility and adaptability for the operators who use these rifles in combat scenarios. Furthermore, a removable carry handle can be attached to enhance user comfort and ease of handling in different tactical situations.
Adoption and Usage
The primary users of the M16A3 were the U.S. Navy, particularly for shipboard and shipyard security. Additionally, some units of the U.S. Navy SEALs and the Navy’s Seabees, as well as Special Warfare units, received these rifles for specialized missions.
It's noteworthy that even within the Navy, the procurement of the M16A3 was quite limited. The service did not purchase the rifle in large numbers, and other branches of the U.S. military did not adopt the M16A3 at all. This limited adoption reflects the specialized nature of the M16A3, making it an uncommon yet intriguing variant in the M16 family.
Conclusion: The M16A3, a modified version of the M16A2, is a unique rifle known for its fully automatic fire capability. Developed during the 1990s and early 2000s by companies like Colt and FN Herstal, it was primarily used by U.S. Navy units for specific security and combat roles. Its limited numbers and specialized usage make it an interesting subject for firearms enthusiasts and historians of modern military weaponry.