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The M-16 Assault Rifle Quiz Challenge - How Much Do You Know? | Equipment & Weaponry

A short quiz about the M-16 Assault Rifle with some lesser known facts as well - ENJOY!

A multiple-choice quiz by cwelch. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
cwelch

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
272,385

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1290

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 173 (5/10), Guest 67 (8/10), Guest 175 (2/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the 'civilian' version of the M-16 called? Hint

XM-177

AR-15

M-16A1

CM-16

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What was the first branch of the U.S. military to place a significant order for and adopt the M-16? Hint

Air Force

Marines

Army

Navy

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What was the main contender against the M-16 for the Armed Forces contract in 1964? Hint

M-14

Stoner M249

BM-59

FN-FAL

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. What man is credited as the main developer of the M-16 prototype? Hint

Eugene Stoner

Chesty Puller

Samuel Colt

Charles Browning

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Who made the first 'significant' use of the M-16 and when? Hint

Canadian Army - 1964

US Air Force - 1964

South Vietnamese Army - 1962

Korean Armed Forces - 1963

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Question 6 of 10

6. What cartridge (ammunition) is fired by the M-16? Hint

7.62mm NATO

6mm Winchester

7.62mm X 39mm

5.56mm NATO

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Question 7 of 10

7. Why was the rifle chambered for such a relatively small cartridge? Hint

Cartridge power was considered to be less important

All of these

Smaller cartridge allowed troops to carry more rounds

Smaller cartridge allowed for higher rate of fire

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Question 8 of 10

8. Most versions of the M-16 issued to US Forces are issued with a 'fully automatic' setting.

True

False

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Question 9 of 10

9. What were the main complaints about the first M-16s issued to the troops? Hint

Lack of 'stopping' power and heavy weight

Jamming and warping of stock

Jamming and lack of 'stopping' power

Small magazine capacity

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. What were the main difference between the M-16A1 and M-16A2? Hint

Heavier, chromed barrel and accommodation for left handed shooters

Select fire and and night sights

Shorter stock and bayonet lugs

Higher firing rate and larger magazine capacity

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 13 2024 : Guest 173: 5/10
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Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the 'civilian' version of the M-16 called?

Answer: AR-15

The civilian version, sold under the Colt name, is the AR-15. AR comes from Armalite, the company that developed the first prototypes.

2. What was the first branch of the U.S. military to place a significant order for and adopt the M-16?

Answer: Air Force

Although the Army tried to place an order earlier, it was delayed. The Air Force was the first service to actually receive a major order and deploy the rifle to troops in 1964.

3. What was the main contender against the M-16 for the Armed Forces contract in 1964?

Answer: M-14

The M-14 and AK-47 were the final two rifles tested against the M-16 for the Armed Forces contract which resulted in final adoption of the M-16. Although the M14 was the only one deemed 'acceptable' by preliminary reports, the M-16 was the rifle eventually chosen.

4. What man is credited as the main developer of the M-16 prototype?

Answer: Eugene Stoner

Eugene Stoner, working for Armalite, developed the first prototype for the weapon. The rights to produce the weapon were later sold to Colt by Armalite's parent company, Fairchild.

5. Who made the first 'significant' use of the M-16 and when?

Answer: South Vietnamese Army - 1962

The M-16's first general service was in the hands of the South Vietnamese Army in 1962. Reports by U.S. advisers tended to be favorable. These reports were clearly instrumental in the later adoption of the rifle by the U.S. armed forces.

6. What cartridge (ammunition) is fired by the M-16?

Answer: 5.56mm NATO

5.56mm NATO or .223 caliber.

7. Why was the rifle chambered for such a relatively small cartridge?

Answer: All of these

Army research determined that rate of fire was more important than aim or damage. According to a 1948 army report, "The number one predictor of casualties was the total number of bullets fired".

The smaller cartridge allowed for increased fire rate and the troops could carry more ammunition. Both these characteristics put 'more bullets in the air' in battlefield situations.

8. Most versions of the M-16 issued to US Forces are issued with a 'fully automatic' setting.

Answer: False

The 2006 'standard' issue M-16 version has settings for 'semi-automatic' and three-shot bursts.
As of 2006, other countries (including the IDF) and many US Armed Forces still received M-16s equipped with a 'fully automatic' setting.

9. What were the main complaints about the first M-16s issued to the troops?

Answer: Jamming and lack of 'stopping' power

The first M-16 issued to troops in Vietnam had jamming problems (due to incompatible ammunition). The jamming problem was later solved with an ammunition change. Some troops also complained that the bullet did not do significant damage to the enemy. The damage complaints continued throughout the conflict.

10. What were the main difference between the M-16A1 and M-16A2?

Answer: Heavier, chromed barrel and accommodation for left handed shooters

The M-16A2 has a heavier barrel and accommodations for left-hand shooters.

Source: Author cwelch

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor trident before going online.
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