Why Filmmakers Chose M16A1 Over M16 in We Were Soldiers - #shorts #short

[sauceboss]

Not the original M16s fault it was jamming. The army changed the powder in the ammunition they issued. The Original M16 was a fine rifle until the army used leftover ball powder which made the rifles significantly more dirty and also altered the pressure curve that the rifle was designed to function around. Thankfully in the last few years people have been coming around to realizing the rifle was fine as is and didn't need a forward assist but the army is the one that tanked the rifles reputation for years to come.

[yetiskies]

The narrator is incorrect, as others have said, the M16A1E1 would have been used. There was a recall or upgrade, but that happened in 1967/68. The design wasn't flawed, Army Ordnance sabotaged the riffle by switching propellants in the ammo.

[igorbarbosa]

The original m16 was infamous but not really by it's fault, the change on the powder and lack of cleaning kits contributed the most for the malfunctions

[huntclanhunt]

The original M16 was significantly improved within 3 months of being first deployed.

The problem was not the gun, but the fact it was given bad quality ammo and the troops were not given cleaning kits.

[patriotenfield]

Plus What they forgot is that M14 Rifles were also used in large numbers. And Vietcongs / North Vietnam didn't use AKs in Large number either. Most weapons used were of WW2 design.

[lebronblewfinalsnottopne]

One of the greatest war movies I've ever seen
Mel Gibson did absolutely amazing, such a great film.

[billmessner]

Flash suppressor is correct for the rifle my father carried in Vietnam 1967. He hated how it caught vines etc

[TheXtro]

Also, the M16a1 has a different flashhider(bird cage) than original M16's(3 prong opening).

[aj]

The XM16E1 still had a forward assist, nobody but the Air Force used the slabside M16.

[BlindAlanAlda]

As a matter of fact the XM16E1 would be used in reality. This had very little external differences from the M16A1 like the 3 pronged flash hider and semi fenced magazine release button on E1 whereas on A1 it was replaced by the Bird cage flash hider and full mag release fencing. Other difference would be the chrome lined barrel on the A1

[mikehenthorn]

The gun was fine as designed. The army changed things. The powder and removed the chrome from parts so fouling became a problem. Then they didn't train the troops how to clean and maintain them.

[Mgusta]

Wait... These should have been the xm16e1 that DID have a forward assist so these where actually almost correct. Only difference would be the amount of fencing.

[SanSabath]

Most of them really used the XM16E1. Precursor to the M16A1. They had a 3 prong flash hider, partial fence lower, and stainless BCG. The M16A1s used in the movie are mocked up to look like the XM16E1s except the partial fencing

[Freedomlander_]

Even tho the M16 had reliability issues, its still my favourite rifle.

[lawrencelaird]

In basic training in 1974, my rifle was a M16E1. I would imagine that it was a “Re-Build”. Ft Jackson January 1974 “Delta 10-2”. In 1983 the old WW2 barracks were gone, a parking lot replaced them.

[marqueeent.]

No buddy... The forward assist was present on the early Army version used in this battle, designated as the XM-16E1, However the only thing present on the movies version that shouldn't be there is the fense around the Magazine release button!😂👍🏾

[jeep]

A minor issue. I read once the Viet Cong were told to pick up any military items they found after a battle except for the black rifle.

[headspaceandtiming]

That forward triangular stock is what we had later and it looks authentic.

[johnnyrocko]

Somebody should do their homework before they put out videos. The problems with the M16 were caused by the changes in the ammunition manufacturing process that were approved by higher up officials that wanted the rifle to fail that created issues with the rifles functioning properly. There was no “Design Flaw” with the weapon. You should get your facts straight.

[mikechevreaux]

When I Was In US Army In 1973,
We All Had The M-16A1.