M16 Parts Kits: What You Need and What You Need to Know

The M16 rifle, typically chambered in 5.56 NATO, is a rifle that was first developed in 1964 for the United States Military. Though it was first developed in 1964 and paired with a 20-round magazine, by 1969 a variant accepting a 30-round magazine had superseded the M14 as a standard service rifle for the United States Army.

It’s firepower, reliability and endless routes for customization have made it an immensely popular weapon, not just with the United States but with militaries around the world that have since adopted it. Since its development, M16 rifles and variants have seen state-use throughout more than 50 countries around the world.

An interesting fact about the M16 rifle is that it was actually developed from the AR-15, which has become one of the most popular sporting rifles in America, and the popularity and widespread use of which continue to the present day.

Because both interest and ownership of both AR-15 and M16 rifles remain strong, the demand for M16 parts kits remains strong as well. Here are a few things you should know.

What an M16 Parts Kit Contains

The most important thing you need to know about M16 parts kits is that they tend to be partially incomplete, lacking the lower receiver which is serially stamped and regulated by the ATF as the “actual” gun. Most M16 parts kits contain all of the necessary parts that can be joined to the lower receiver in order to create a functioning M16 rifle.

Most of our kits include everything you need minus the lower receiver, which will require a visit to an FFL and a NICS transaction, after which point you can assemble a completed M16. This means that our kits include the upper receiver and associated components, including a bolt and bolt catch, a stock, a handle and hand guard, and all other associated metal parts and components, including sear pins, gas blocks, fire control/selector switch, pins and springs including detent pins and takedown pins, and all the other small parts necessary to complete a build.

While some of our M16 parts kits do not include a magazine or sling, we carry these and many other replacement parts and accessories in our online shop, along with grips, scopes, cleaning kits and much more. If you have any questions about what our M16 parts kits contain or have questions about assembly or maintenance, please feel free to reach out to us.

Why Keep One on Hand?

Typically M16 parts kits are kept on hand by individuals who are interested in building their own rifles, but this is not the only reason that some shooters keep them around. If any of the following conditions appeals to you, a parts kit for your M16 or AR-15 might hold a lot of value.

●The options for customization or personalization appeal to you:

In addition to its lightweight nature, compact profile, maneuverability and reliability, the M16 remains popular because it accepts so many different parts, attachments, accessories and potential upgrades. An M16 parts kit gives you a potential avenue into customization, especially if you don’t appreciate the stock performance of your given variant. You don’t need a complete build kit for this, just a parts kit containing the relevant components.

●You want to get more involved with firearm performance or maintenance:

For some, building a rifle or servicing one provides an outlet for recreation and education. Getting involved with the inner workings of your firearm will make you a more knowledgeable gun owner and give you a better understanding of how all of the parts work together to ensure smooth performance - which is something many gun owners don’t understand on an intimate level.

●You want to keep parts in good condition on hand so you can make repairs as necessary:

Finally, you may be interested in an M16 parts kit if you, like other gun owners, like to keep reserve parts on hand form when unforeseen failures occur. Routine cleaning and maintenance will help forestall many potential issues, but nonetheless, when your firing pin breaks or your ejector fails, you’ll need the right parts on hand. Some might take their rifle to the gunsmith to make basic repairs like that, but with the proper parts and the right instructional resources, you can do them yourself.

In addition to M16 parts kits and build kits, we carry build kits and parts kits for popular rifles and pistols such as the AR-15 and M1911, as well as a huge inventory of parts for upgrades, repairs or replacements.

If you have any questions at all about maintenance, assembly or customization, for these firearms or others, please feel free to get in touch with us and we will be glad to assist. Just because you don’t see what you need in our online store doesn’t mean we don’t have it. Call us at 610-250-3960 and let us know how we can help.