THE 5.

56MM MI6A1 RIFLE

CHARACTERISTICS
A. Functioning

1. Magazine fed
2. Gas operated
3. Shoulder weapon
4. Air cooled
5. Semi or automatic fire

B. Features

1. The rifle is equipped with a flash suppressor that serves as an adapter for
grenade launching. (CAUTION: Use of this weapon for grenade launching is not currently
authorized).

2. Barrel is surrounded by two aluminum line fiberglass hand guards which

also adapter for grenade as the forearm of the rifle. The hand guards are notched to permit
air to circulate around the rifle barrel, and further serve to protect the gas tube.

3. A hard rubber recoil pass is attached at the butt of the stock to partially
reduce the effect of the recoil.

4. A forward assist assembly is located at the upper right rear of the upper
receiver. This is use to close the bolt when closing is not done by the force of action of
spring alone.

5. A dust cover is provided to prevent dust or dirt from getting into the rifle.
This opens automatically when the rifle is fired. (NOTE: The dust cover should be closed at
all times except during firing or maintenance).

PARTS OF THE RIFLE CAL 5.56MM M16A1.

1. Two main groups:

a. Upper receiver group

Parts
1) Flash suppressor
2) Barrel
3) Bayonet Stud
4) Front Sight
5) Upper Sling Swivel
6) Hand guard
7) Sling Spring
8) Carrying handle
9) Charging handle
 10) Rear Sight
11) Forward Assist
12) Bolt Assembly
13) Bust cover

b. Lower receiver group

Parts
1) Rubber recall pack
2) Trigger Guard
3) Pivot take down pin
4) Stock
5) Pistol grip
6) Trigger
7) Magazine release button
8) Hammer
9) Selector Level
10) Lower sling swivel

GUN DATA
1.Weights:
a. Rifle without magazine and sling - - - - - - - - - 6.5 lbs
b. Empty magazine aluminum- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2 lbs
c. Full magazine (20 rds) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7 lbs
d. Sling M1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 lbs
e. Firing weight (fully loaded with sling) - - - - - - - 7.6 lbs
f. Bipod - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6 lbs
g. Bayonet-knife - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - M76 lbs
h. Scabbard - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - M8A13 lbs

2.Lengths:
a. Rifle with Bayonet- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -44.25 in
b. Rifle overall with flash suppressor - - - - - - - - 39 in
c. Barrel - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 21 in
d. Barrel w/o suppressor - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20 in
3. Sights:

a. Front adjustable, click type post. Each click is equal to 2.8 centimeters per
100 meters of range.

b. Rear-adjustable flif-type. Normal range setting is for 0 to 300 meters, long

range setting (L) 300 to 500 meters. Each notch of the windage drum equals 2.8
centimeters for every 100 meters of range. On a weapons set for battle sight of 250
meters fllif to long range aperture weapon is then zeroed to 290-375 meters.

c. Sign rapid - - - - - - - - - - - - - 19.75 in

4. Operation Characteristics

a. Cyclic rate of fire - - - - - - - - - - - - - 700 – 8– rds per min

b. Muzzle velocity - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3,250 fps
c. Maximum range - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2,653 meters
d. Maximum effective range - - - - - - - 460 meters
e. Maximum rate of fire:
 1) Semi-automatic - - - - - - - - - - - - - 45 – 65 rds per min
2) Automatic - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 150 – 200 rpm
3) Sustained rate of fire - - - - - - - - - - 12 – 15 rpm

CYCLE OF OPERATION

1. Firing – occurs when the firing pin strikes the primer of the cartridge.
2. Unlocking – unsealing the breach of the barrel.
3. Extracting – removing the empty cartridge from the weapon.
4. Ejecting – removing the empty cartridge from the weapon.
5. Cocking – returning the firing mechanism to cock position.
6. Feeding – placing the cartridge in the receiver.
7. Chambering – placing the cartridge in the chamber.
8. Locking – sealing the cartridge in the chamber.

ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY

NOTE: Disassembly and assembly of the weapon should be kept to the maximum
consistent with proper maintenance and instructional requirements.

A. Steps in disassembly

1. The first step in the disassembly of any weapon is to “Clear the weapon”.

a. The butt must rest on a flat surface. The right thing will do.

b. Point the selector lever to “SAFE” position. (NOTE) This can be

done only if the weapon is cocked. If the rifle is not cocked, proceed to the next step.

c. Grasp the magazine with the right hand, the right thumb resting on
the magazine catch bottom. Press the bottom and pull the magazine.
d. Hold the balance of the stock with the left hand, the left thumb
resting on the bolt catch. Open the bolt and lock if in the position. Return the charging
handle to forward position.

e. Ensure the selector lever at “SAFE”.

CAUTION: The selector level must be at the “SAFE” position when clearing weapon to
prevent damage to automatic sear.

2. Field Stripping

a. Disassembly:

(1) Remove the sling and place the rifle on a table or a flat
surface with the muzzle to the left.

(2) Turn the weapon on its right side and press on the
takedown pin until the upper receiver swings free of the lower receiver. CAUTION: The
takedown pin does not come out free of the receiver.
 (3) Press the receiver pivot pin and separate the upper from
the lower receiver group. (CAUTION): The receiver pivot pin does not come out of the
receiver.

(4) Work on the upper receiver group:

(a) Keep the muzzle in the left.

(b) Withdraw the bolt carrier from the receiver.
(c) Disassemble the bolt carrier group.

NOTE: When the bolt carrier is removed, the charging handle will fall from the receiver.

(5) Work on the lower receiver group.

CAUTION: The lower receiver shall be disassembled only when absolutely necessary for
the proper care and maintenance of the weapon.

(a) Push the action spring guide.

(b) Push down on the retaining pin by using the tip of
cartridge.
(c) Remove the buffer and buffer spring.
(d) Depress the hammer to clear the buffer.

NOTE: The action spring is under the pressure, care must be taken in removing it.

CAUTION: The parts of the weapon should be laid down in the order of its disassembly to
avoid losses or misplacement.

B. Assembly:

(1) Assemble the bolt carrier group:

CAUTION: Do not spread the ends of the firing pin retainer.

NOTE: Check for proper assembly by elevating the front of the bolt. The firing pin must not
drop out..

(2) Replace the charging handle in the upper receiver. Push forward in the
group into the open end of the sub-assembly is fully sealed.

(3) Place the two (2) receiver together and reset the pivot pin.

(4) Cock the hammer and ensures that the selector lever is at “SAFE”
position. Withdraw the takedown pin and close the weapon. Fully seat the takedown pin.

NOTE: After the assembly of the weapon, remove the hand guards.

CAUTION: Removal of the hand guards should be done only when absolutely necessary for
the proper care and maintenance of the weapon.

C. Check the assembly of the weapon.

 (1) Check the proper operation of the weapon while the selector is at
“SAFE”, semi and auto positions.

(a) “SAFE” position – pull trigger, hammer should not fall.

(b) Semi-position – pull the trigger to the rear, recock the rifle
(hammer) and release the trigger. The hammer should transfer from the hammer holes and
is connect to sear engagement.

(c) Auto-position - pull the trigger. Hammer should fall. Hold the
trigger to the rear and recock the hammer. Push forward on the automatic sear, the
hammer should fall.
NOTE: Any discrepancy noted from aforementioned functioning means the assembly was
incorrect. Check proper assembly and note any defective parts.

MAINTENANCE
Maintenance – normal care and cleaning will result in the proper functioning of all
parts of the weapon, improper maintenance causes stoppage and malfunctioning.

A. Cleaning and lubricating the barrel.

1. Attach a wire brush to the cleaning rod, dip it with a cleaning solvent
compound (CR) of bore cleaner, and brush the bore thoroughly. Brush from the bore to the
chamber. Using a straight though stroke. (NOTE: Never reverse the direction of the brush
while it is in the bore).

2. Continue the process until the bore is coated with the cleaning compound.
Replace the brush with a cleaning patch and continue the cleaning process until the patch
comes out clean and dry.

3. Clean the locking gauge in the barrel extension using a small bristle brush.

4. After cleaning, lubricate the bore and locking lugs in the barrel extension
by applying a light coat of oil on the surface of the barrel enclosed by the hand guards.

B. Cleaning and lubricating the Bolt Carrier Group Lower Receiver Group:

1. Remove the bolt carrier group from the upper receiver group and
disassemble. Clean all parts with a patch dipped in a solvent cleaning compound.

2. Clean the locking lugs of the bolt, using a small brush and cleaning
solvent. Dry with a patch and oil lightly.

3. But one drop of oil in each hole on the right side of the bolt carrier and the
open end of the bolt carrier key.

C. Cleaning and lubricating the lower receiver group:

1. Normal cleaning will not require the detailed assembly of the lower
receiver group.

2. Using a clean dry patch or bristle brush remove dirt or sand from the
receiver. Place a drop of oil on each pin for lubrication.
 3. After extensive or field exercise, the lower receiver must be disassembled
and clean thoroughly, apply a light coat of oil on all parts.

D. Maintenance before, during and after firing:

1. Before operation maintenance

The barrel must be wipe dry and free of oil, clean the bore with a dry
patch to insure that it is dry and free of dirt. Check the forward assist assembly and the
dust cover.

2. During firing – to follow the recommended rates of fire. Observe for any
slugging operation of any moving parts. Discontinue the use of any rifle that shows signs of
wear and tear.

3. After operations – follow the normal maintenance operations outline in the

foregoing paragraphs.