M16A4

The final full-length variant of the M16 family, fitted with a flat-top receiver, removable carry handle and Rail Interface System for optics and accessories. It served as the U.S. Marine Corps' standard infantry rifle before being largely supplanted by the shorter M4 carbine.

In service since 1998 · 15 operator countries

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

600

m range

800

rpm

930

m/s

rds

💲 ≈ $1,200 (public figure)

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

US ITAR-controlled

Export needs U.S. State Dept (DDTC) approval; end-use & re-transfer restrictions apply.

Channel: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sale

Fielded & proven

Widely fielded · 15 operators

In service since 1998. Status: legacy.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

Unit cost known; one-shot / small-arms class has no meaningful O&S tail to model.

Interoperability

5.56×45 NATO

Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Effective range Distance at which the weapon reliably hits point targets. Higher extends engagement envelope.: 600 m

Stronger than 71% of rifles
Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability.: 800 rpm

Stronger than 75% of rifles
Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration.: 930 m/s

Stronger than 86% of rifles

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type.: 5.56×45 mm NATO
Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better — ammunition commonality matters.: 5.6 mm
Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity.: 30

Stronger than 58% of rifles

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 1 m
Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.: 4 kg
Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.: 1
Barrel length Barrel length — longer improves muzzle velocity and accuracy, shorter improves handling.: 508 mm

Program

Cost, production scale and operators.

Unit cost Approximate flyaway/unit cost where public. Defense pricing varies hugely by contract, offsets and configuration. Lower is cheaper.: $1,200

Stronger than 81% of rifles
Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.: 15

Stronger than 55% of rifles

Specifications compiled from public Colt and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

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