Military History Podcast

The M16 rifle and its 3 variants (the M16A1, M16A2, and M4 carbine) have been the standard rifle for the US Armed Forces since 1957, almost 50 years! Although it was off to a shaky start, it has earned its "dynasty" status. Now, as we approach 2006, the US is about to replace the M16 family with the new XM family of weapons. This family includes the XM-8 (which will replace the current M16A2) and the XM-29 (which will replace the current M4 carbine as the special-ops weapon).