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Mattel M16 Rifle

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Sandaza1!

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In response to the wonderfully researched article concerning the "myth" of the Mattel M16, I respectfully disagree. During my boot camp at Parris Island in December 1980, I was issued my first weapon as a US Marine. We cared and cleaned our weapons daily as if they were a part of ourselves. My weapon was stamped Mattel in the metal. My second weapon issued was stamped GM. I can't prove my point as they wouldn't let you take your weapon when we walked off of PI as Marines. But it sure enough existed.
 
Here is an oft shown photo shopped picture that is supposed to be proof.

Mattel M 16.jpg
 
Never seen one, only heard legend of it lol.

We have a Rock-Ola M1 Carbine at the shop though that is REALLY cool. Had an IBM one also, but the Rock-Ola's are the Holy Grail for M1 Carbines. It's in great shape too.

It's always interesting to see how many companies got involved in the war effort. Regardless if by mandate or voluntarily.
 
Mattel NEVER existed.
If so, every major auction house like Christies or RI would have one for sale from an owner for $$$$$$$$$.

not a gun owner alive that wont collect a firearm and one rare item comes on market “every blue moon”

Fact a Mattel has never showed up for sale. Ever, states it is a myth
 
KillerFord1977 said:
Mattel NEVER existed.
If so, every major auction house like Christies or RI would have one for sale from an owner for $$$$$$$$$.

not a gun owner alive that wont collect a firearm and one rare item comes on market “every blue moon”

Fact a Mattel has never showed up for sale. Ever, states it is a myth
Click to expand...
Truth!!
At least one would have shown up somewhere to be sold.
 
The story I heard never claimed Mattel made the rifle. Most of the ones I remember being issued were made by General Motors. The story we were told was that Mattel made the plastic parts. But still, it was hard to have faith in a rifle made by a car maker and a toy company. :rolleyes:
BTW: the M-16A1s we were issued were garbage. Very unreliable. :poop:
 
Way I heard it from a retired Col. I believe he said he was. Was that the men who had been in a long time before the M16 was issued were leary of it from the start. Then it's problems from the new powder and not being oiled well made it even worse. Rumors started circulating that stocks were breaking on buttstrokes and that the rifle was made by a famous toy company.

He said he never personally saw proof of either thing from anyone under him.

I tend to believe him.
 
My older brother decided to join as the draft was hitting in 1968 so many and if you join you usually get a better choice.
He ended up with Airborne screaming eagles at Fort Bragg.

After he did his tour and returned home, he brought a Dodge Charger 1969 gold sparkle.
One day he was talking to all of us about Viet-Nam and he mentioned: They all trained on the M14 at boot however when they arrived in Viet-Nam they were all issued M16.
To them it was so light and looked like a Mattel toy and they always jammed.

He even asked us to send him Hoppes oil and good bug spray as what they had is crap.
From my understanding, they have much better lubricants, gun powder and bug spray and food.
 
Sandaza1! said:
In response to the wonderfully researched article concerning the "myth" of the Mattel M16, I respectfully disagree. During my boot camp at Parris Island in December 1980, I was issued my first weapon as a US Marine. We cared and cleaned our weapons daily as if they were a part of ourselves. My weapon was stamped Mattel in the metal. My second weapon issued was stamped GM. I can't prove my point as they wouldn't let you take your weapon when we walked off of PI as Marines. But it sure enough existed.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum, from Ohio.
 
ddeuce22 said:
Never seen one, only heard legend of it lol.

We have a Rock-Ola M1 Carbine at the shop though that is REALLY cool. Had an IBM one also, but the Rock-Ola's are the Holy Grail for M1 Carbines. It's in great shape too.

It's always interesting to see how many companies got involved in the war effort. Regardless if by mandate or voluntarily.
Click to expand...
If any of y’all want to read a fascinating story, read “December 1941”. An amazing story that goes day by day through the month. Dec6 all is well. The Japanese attack on 12/7. By the end of the MONTH companies that were making cars on 12/6 were building tanks, artillery, etc. Absolutely unreal at how quickly the change overs occurred. Yes there had been preplanning but still. (Sorry for the hijack🙄)
 
I carried M16's and GAU-5's in SEA 70-74. When they were issued from the arnory the cops often repeated the line, "You can tell it's Mattel-it's swell". That line was from a Mattel TV commercial from the 60's. It was a joke. No doubt Mattel markings were added as a joke later but I never saw one.
 
Shibadog said:
If any of y’all want to read a fascinating story, read “December 1941”. An amazing story that goes day by day through the month. Dec6 all is well. The Japanese attack on 12/7. By the end of the MONTH companies that were making cars on 12/6 were building tanks, artillery, etc. Absolutely unreal at how quickly the change overs occurred. Yes there had been preplanning but still. (Sorry for the hijack🙄)
Click to expand...

That is some of the most interesting stuff. Thanks for the recommendation I am absolutely going to look into that!!
 
ddeuce22 said:
Never seen one, only heard legend of it lol.

We have a Rock-Ola M1 Carbine at the shop though that is REALLY cool. Had an IBM one also, but the Rock-Ola's are the Holy Grail for M1 Carbines. It's in great shape too.

It's always interesting to see how many companies got involved in the war effort. Regardless if by mandate or voluntarily.
Click to expand...
I saw a Rock-Ola at Rampart Range in Colorado Springs. I didn't get to shoot it
 
Sandaza1! said:
In response to the wonderfully researched article concerning the "myth" of the Mattel M16, I respectfully disagree. During my boot camp at Parris Island in December 1980, I was issued my first weapon as a US Marine. We cared and cleaned our weapons daily as if they were a part of ourselves. My weapon was stamped Mattel in the metal. My second weapon issued was stamped GM. I can't prove my point as they wouldn't let you take your weapon when we walked off of PI as Marines. But it sure enough existed.
Click to expand...
when my boys were kids, i bought each one such an M-16, but i do also recall, there was an orange piece that was inside the muzzle, and when they pulled that trigger, that orange piece moved in/out to simulate firing.

made a racket, but they had fun.

i cannot find any pics just yet.
 
Sld1959 said:
Way I heard it from a retired Col. I believe he said he was. Was that the men who had been in a long time before the M16 was issued were leary of it from the start. Then it's problems from the new powder and not being oiled well made it even worse. Rumors started circulating that stocks were breaking on buttstrokes and that the rifle was made by a famous toy company.

He said he never personally saw proof of either thing from anyone under him.

I tend to believe him.
Click to expand...
It was not a "new" powder, it was older existing stocks of government powder that was not approved or even evaluated during the development of the gun, which was engineered to use a designated formulation. Combined with no provisions for adequate cleaning (no kits issued early on) the system got gummed up with combustion products.
I've never seen any evidence for Mattel's involvement.
As to issues with the M16A1, I carried two in Vietnam and never had any issue with either. I didn't leave a round in it more than 24 hours (less in wet season) and would do a wipe-down of the bolt carrier & usually put a patch down the barrel any day it was used or carried. I don't recall ever having to use the forward bolt assist either. One of 'em...
 

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