Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “What If the M16 Rifle Never Existed?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/what-if-the-m16-rifle-never-existed/.
What If the M16 Rifle Never Existed?
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
HayesGreener
Ronin
I would have fired a lot more 7.62
KillerFord1977
SAINT
That’s why there is the FN FAL 
Who needs and M16 or 5.56
Who needs and M16 or 5.56
Blackmesa96
Custom
What would the anti-gun crowd focus their hatred on?
Sld1959
Ronin
Then we would have had something else in a smaller caliber. The Sturmgewer 44 intermediate rifle with pistol grip and smaller cartridge were already existing and that concept really was going to take over modern warfare eventually. The M14, my opinion was never going to be a long term solution to that platform of weapons for the majority of soldiers. It did not go far enough to fill that concept being heavy and over powered still. Same issues were with the FN-Fal so neither would have been long term solutions eventually.
Just my opinion.
Just my opinion.
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KillerFord1977
SAINT
Fixed it for you
Warrior9(Ret)
Operator
I would have been quite happy if we stayed the course with the M14. Look at the variations available now (Standard, Scout, and Tanker). Different stock options, optics (Day and Night), aiming devices, flashlights, etc. I liked shooting the G3 when we competed for the German Marksmanship Badge.
HayesGreener
Ronin
Actually, he wanted the AR as a light weight rifle and ammo for aircrew survival packages, and to arm Air Police with a modern rifle to replace the M1 and M2 carbines the Air Police were using at the time. They did put some GAU5'S in some survival packs but ultimately even that was too bulky. He was a shooter. LeMay also wanted to arm his aircrews and Air Police with a custom 1911, but settled for the Model 15 revolver. The Army made their own choices. LeMay was a character for sure.
Blackfeather
Custom
The M14 would have recieved the funding and support it needed to become a more refined battle rifle... the EBR program that GWOT birthed was a step in the right direction.
Hmm, my intro to the military involved my issue weapons that were a Colt 1911 for watch duty and the M-14 for Security Breach details. Replaced when I went into LE with a S&W 357 mag and 870 shotgun and they were replaced with a S&W 645 (659 for 2 months) and a Mini-14. Completed the career with a H&K USP in 45 with a Colt M-4... Fact is I didn't or haven't ever fired the standard M-16, although did acquire some surplus A-1s for the Teams in the early 2000's. Strange as the military is returning to larger calibers and bigger rifles with SIG. A good thing the DEI children will soon be replaced. The next generation of war fighters will need to hump heavier rounds and not that donut around their mid-section with piercings, as the M-4 will be relegated to where it started. Like the M-1 Carbine will do just fine in that role...
If I’d a been a year older, I would have voted for him and Goldwater.
HansGruber
Ronin
I suspect that we would’ve gotten a 6-7mm rifle a lot sooner than we have, and .223 would be an obscure varmint round, eclipsed by .222.
Warrior9(Ret)
Operator
Once body armor became the norm it was a necessity. I’ve seen bad guys wearing body armor with plates get hit, drop, and get back in the fight.
Warrior9(Ret)
Operator
Now, the 6.8 is a big improvement over the 5.56, the fielding of the new rifles and MG is going to take some time. Only certain units are getting them. The support units will be getting M4’s and the M16’s will be mothballed.
Arthur Shelby
Operator
Obviously Kel-Tec would be the big govt. contractor making 5.7 carbines with rotary mags and disposable barrels. 
bc22wm
Professional
Have faith brother. I'm sure they would have found something