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Gene L
Senior MemberPosts: 11,814 Senior Member
M 16/AR 15 torture test

Here's an interesting video of an AR 15 upper on a M 16 lower to test failure firing full auto with steel cased ammo as fast as could be reloaded. The durability was incredible. Before you view it, which part do you think failed first?
https://www.full30.com/video/f8a39753e6950ee1a11d02b1d7a2fa7c?ref=SV
https://www.full30.com/video/f8a39753e6950ee1a11d02b1d7a2fa7c?ref=SV
Concealed carry is for protection, open carry is for attention.
Replies
The weakest part of both the AR-15 and the M-16 has always been the extractor spring, very tiny and when it overheats, it cause failure to extract.
That problem is why they went to three round burst over constant full auto.
Most was fired on Auto from one M-16A1 about 1200 rounds or so, maybe not as fast between mags as the video, but it had no failures whatsoever. Early 1980s and 55 grain NATO Ball FMJ ammo. The few hundred I fired had a lot more muzzle rise than the AR in the video, that's fer sure.
In my entire Army career and civilian deployments I saw very few M-16 failures, most were user induced, a bad mag and an occasional dud cartridge. However after each rotation all rifles/MGs/ pistols/shotguns went in for rebuilds/RESET by teams of gunsmiths/armorers who would repair and replace all worn and recommended parts/springs and give them a full rebuild. And teams were deployed on-site to work over some in country.
Of course, heavy use/handling and SAND put a lot of wear and tear on them.
I was told one of the reasons they went to a 3 round burst was hit probability and ammo conservation.
So when all said and done, it is a pretty rugged design and if maintained properly will serve the user very well.
I'm speaking of military issue M-16s , don't know about and have little experience with civilian ones (AR-15s) and what MILSPEC parts they have or even if they are basically one and the same except for the obvious ones needed for full auto or Burst.
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
I'm not an expert by any means and only wanted to convey my personal experiences and observations.
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
For the record, I've also never had an M9 fail.
"Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, and speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
Paddle faster!!! I hear banjos.
Reason for editing: correcting my auto correct
I am a little shocked it took him that many mags to giggle. I would have after the first one. Full auto never gets old!
Watch the video again.
I have a similar issue with the choke tubes in an 11-87 turning loose----but, obliviously don't shoot like that. I have to check it if I shoot half a box or so.
Interesting video
Me, I think piston ARs are yesterday's semi-fad, like the 6.8 SPC. There's nowhere nearly the enthusiasm for them now as there was ten years ago.
But, at 8min and2 sec he said the gas tube went, I stopped watching then the first time.
Yep, late in the game it is unscrewing and eventually just unscrewed itself off. That was a sweet video. That guy is nucking futs.
6.8 SPC Piston Gun....thought everyone should take a look before it fades into obscurity....:tooth:
I've always been a vocal supporter of the AR 15/M 16 platform, even back in the days when they were getting a lot of bad mall ninja press. Accurate, reliable, and affordable. Until the Panic I have had one since about 1973 or so, when I sold my last one, a Colt H Bar. They make me happy. I'm not a fan of the AK, while acknowledging it's reliable and robust, and accurate enough for combat use, I just can't bring myself to like them. For a very brief time, I had one in .223 and it would double or triple on me a LOT. I got rid of that one. My shooting bud has one that's reliable and accurate enough with irons, but it doesn't light my fire.
Put me down as an AR lover.
Buy plenty of ammo while it's available, and someday, post pictures of your Beanie Baby collection.
I dunno, but aren't almost all M-16/ARs Chrome lined?
Whether they Chrome line a SS bbl or not I'd like to know. I know it cuts down on wear and is easier to clean.
Words of wisdom from Big Chief: Flush twice, it's a long way to the Mess Hall
I'd rather have my sister work in a whorehouse than own another Taurus!
The barrel in the video had undergone Melonite treatment so it should have been very tough.
And yes, SS barrel would do the same as that barrel, probably earlier due to the Melonite in that barrel.