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In this episode, we're covering the first available assault rifle - the M16.
It fires a three-round burst, and is available for use in multiplayer right from the start, as part of one of the default classes.
The M16 was first developed by American company Armalite, under the guidance of now-famed small arms designer Eugene Stoner. Known as the AR-15 when it was developed, the weapon wasn't known as the M16 until after Colt licensed the design for military production.
The first rifles saw service in Vietnam in November 1963, with the experimental XM16E1 models issued to troops in the field by the end of the year.
First impressions were not good; A few reliability issues with both rifle and cartridge led to the M16 becoming universally disliked among soldiers; It wasn't until the standardisation of the M16A1 model in 1969 that the issues were largely resolved.
The version of the M16 depicted in Black Ops has the outward appearance of the A1 variant; However, these original rifles were semi or fully automatic only - the burst fire trigger group wasn't seen in standard issue rifles until the M16A2.
Standard Magazine capacity is 30 rounds; Extended magazines have 50% more, at 45.
As with most modern western assault rifles, the M16 fires the NATO intermediate 5.56 by 45 millimetre cartridge.
In-game, the damage dealt is relatively high; On par with the other high-damage automatic rifles, needing just three shots to kill to the body within effective range.
This means that the M16 is capable of killing in one burst, although all shots have to connect unless two strike the head.
Outside effective range, a two burst kill seems more likely - hitting the head three times with a single burst is practically impossible at such range.
The M16 is capable of putting about 450 rounds per minute downrange at full tilt - much slower than any of the automatic rifles, although the burst fire mode does help to ensure greater accuracy than indiscriminate automatic fire.
The recoil has a strong upward pull, often sending a portion of your burst above you target's head, although the recovery means the next burst will usually finish the job if you remain on target.
Other handling characteristics are favourable; As with most of the assault rifles you can aim down sights in a quarter of a second, and the reload is on the swifter end in its class at 2 seconds.
The M16 is great in situations where you have the time to aim your shots over long distances. For that reason, it suits a defensive playstyle over a more mobile one - getting caught in the open with the M16 is suicide against an opponent with an automatic assault rifle.
Firing from cover should be your priority; You'll be less visible and harder to hit, so accurate fire will be much easier.
Locking down a building with windows overlooking an objective or chokepoint will help you to force engagements on your own terms; A motion sensor to watch your back and the ability to fall back to cover upon incident fire means you will be a tough target to kill - and the ability to stay alive makes the higher killstreaks easier to attain.
The M16 has the longest effective range of all assault rifles, which means unsilenced, more often than not, you'll be doing maximum damage - a couple of well-aimed bursts is often all it takes even at longer range.
It's only up close where the M16 struggles - fast moving targets close to your position will prove troublesome to hit, as you can't spray and hope for the best as you can with an automatic.
Still, with the right loadout and by playing to the weapons strengths - aimed bursts from cover over a middle to long distance - you'll find the M16 is tough to beat.
There are few weapons more accurate and more lethal at range than the M16. It's an excellent counter-sniper weapon and one that suits a defensive assault rifle role very well.
3 дек 2010
