There is a lot of hyperbole floating around on the internet these days in regard to the current US military service rifle and its little brother the carbine. Much of it is coming out of the gun press but unfortunately quite a bit stems from within the military itself. The student of modern small arms would do himself great good to read “The Black Rifle” by R Blake Stevens and Edward C Ezell. It’s good to have a basic understanding of how we got where we are today. Armed with such knowledge you will be able to dispel common inaccuracies about the M16 family of small arms and knowledgeably speak about small arms development in regard to that system.
“The Black Rifle – M16 Retrospective” is available directly from its publisher, Collector Grade Publications as well as another fine book entitled, “Black Rifle II – The M16 Into the 21st Century” which picks up where “Black rifle” leaves off. Neither are inexpensive but both are well worth the cost if you are serious about this business.