Taken from ‘Special Forces the U.S. Army’s Experts in Unconventional Warfare’ by C.B. Colby.
The type of warfare engaged in by the Special Forces requires something special in weapons as well. The new Colt AR-15, known as the M16, is just that. This weapon can be fired either semiautomatic (as fast as the trigger is pulled) or fully automatic (firing as long as the trigger is held back). It weights 6.31 pounds, which is very light for any weapon with its capabilities. Its cartridges are also very light, weighing 8 ounces for a full 20 rounds. The caliber is .223 (about as big as a .22 but many times more powerful) and the full-jacketed, boat-tailed bullets have a velocity of 3,250 feet per second. They can penetrate a car from rear to front, through bumper, trunk, back seat, front seat, fire wall and out the radiator. Not even the motor block of a vehicle will stop them. The M16 fires at the rate of 750 rounds per minute from bipod or shoulder. The muzzle does not rise when on fully automatic, and the weapon can fire various grenades 200 yards with ease. With a telescope sight it can fire all shots in a 12-inch bulseye at 500 yards. It can be fully dismantled with the tip of one of its own cartridges and its own firing pin. This is the weapon held by the man on the cover.
