The hosts introduce a Memorial Day feature on the FN M16A4 Military Collector rifle equipped with a Trijicon RCO optic, a configuration associated with Marine Corps service rifles. They clarify that the rifle on the table has been heavily fired for testing, while the winner or buyer would receive a brand-new, sealed rifle and optic. The package is described as an FN commemorative edition that closely mirrors an actual military service rifle, with the primary mechanical difference being the lack of a select-fire capability or “giggle switch.” The focus is on presenting a civilian-legal M16A4 that retains authentic markings, forging details, and overall configuration.
The discussion shifts to the early history of the M16 platform. The rifle entered trials in 1964 as the original 20-inch M16, later known as the M16A1. In 1969 it replaced the M14 as the standard U.S. service rifle, offering a more modern design. The hosts show an M16A1 from Colt, the original manufacturer, featuring a 20-round magazine, no brass deflector, and a teardrop-style forward assist. The rifle has classic furniture without finger grooves, emphasizing its nostalgic appearance. This A1 configuration remained in service from 1969 into the early 1980s, forming the basis for later evolutions of the platform.
They outline how the M16 evolved from the A1 into the M16A2. The A2 introduced several updates, including the addition of semi-automatic and three-round burst fire modes, a brass deflector, and other refinements that modernized the rifle for service use. The M16A3 is described as essentially an A2 variant with full-auto select fire instead of the burst mechanism, maintaining the same general layout and features. This progression sets the stage for the M16A4, which builds on the earlier models while emphasizing modularity and accessory compatibility. The conversation frames the A4 as the culmination of incremental improvements made over decades of service.
Attention returns to the M16A4, described as a highly modular iteration of the platform. The rifle retains a bayonet lug and adds a full-length Picatinny rail, allowing mounting of accessories such as a 40 mm grenade launcher. It is equipped with Knight’s Armament rail systems, which the hosts note command high prices on the secondary market. The iron sights, particularly the rear sight, are described as clone-correct for those seeking an accurate representation of a service rifle. Paired with the Trijicon RCO optic, the FN M16A4 Military Collector is presented as a faithful civilian counterpart to the rifles issued to Marines, with FN recognized for producing such military-style civilian models.
The hosts discuss the long service life of the M16 family. The design entered trials in 1964, replaced the M14 in 1969, and remained in U.S. military service until it was superseded by the SIG Spear in 2022. They note that over eight million M16 rifles have been produced worldwide, making it the most commonly used 5.56 rifle. With a 20-inch barrel, the platform offers effective engagement out to roughly 400–600 meters, depending on the shooter and conditions. Using 55-grain 5.56 ammunition such as M855, muzzle velocity is described as around 3,200 feet per second, emphasizing that this is fast, energetic ammunition. They caution shooters to maintain safe distance from steel targets and always use eye and ear protection due to potential splashback.
They move into technical details of the M16A4’s operating system. The rifle uses a rifle-length gas system with direct impingement, which they describe as soft-shooting and pleasant to fire. An A2 flash hider and A2 front sight post, which doubles as the gas block, are standard. The rifle weighs about seven pounds loaded without the optic, which some Marines reportedly considered heavy during service. The hosts contrast this with later HK piston-driven rifles adopted by the military, noting that piston systems add weight even as they change the operating characteristics. The comparison underscores that the M16A4 remains relatively manageable in weight while retaining a traditional direct impingement system.
The conversation turns to the upper and lower receiver details. The M16A4 uses a familiar AR-15 style receiver set with a brass deflector and a forward assist that differs from the older teardrop design on the A1. A flat-top Picatinny upper replaces the integrated carry handle of the original M16A1, allowing optics like the Trijicon RCO to be mounted directly. On earlier models, the charging handle and carry handle were integrated into the upper, whereas the A4 allows for a detachable carry handle if desired. The rifle uses a rifle-length buffer system and a fixed, old-school stock, preserving the classic handling characteristics of the 20-inch configuration while accommodating modern optics and accessories.
To close, the hosts frame the FN M16A4 Military Collector as a nostalgic and historically significant rifle, especially fitting for a Memorial Day feature. They emphasize its status as “America’s rifle,” with production and service spanning from the 1960s through 2022, and note that many companies continue to manufacture M16-style rifles for the civilian market. For firearms enthusiasts, they present the M16A4 configuration as a key piece to own, capturing both the look and feel of a service rifle used by generations of U.S. troops. The segment highlights the opportunity to add an authentic-style 5.56 NATO, 20-inch rifle with a Trijicon RCO optic to a collection without altering the core military-inspired configuration.
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