Magazines M16 rifle

vietnam era 20-round magazine (left) , current issue nato stanag 30-round magazine (right)



improved tan colored m16 magazine follower

the m16 s magazine meant lightweight, disposable item. such, made of pressed/stamped aluminum , not designed durable. m16 used 20-round magazine later replaced bent 30-round design. result, magazine follower tends rock or tilt, causing malfunctions. many non-u.s. , commercial magazines have been developed mitigate these shortcomings (e.g., h&k s all-stainless-steel magazine, magpul s polymer p-mag, etc.).

production of 30-round magazine started late 1967 did not replace 20-round magazine till mid 1970s. standard usgi aluminum 30-round m16 magazines weigh 0.24 lb (0.11 kg) empty , 7.1 inches (18 cm) long. newer plastic magazines half inch longer. newer steel magazines 0.5 inch longer , 4 ounces heavier. m16 s magazine has become unofficial nato stanag magazine , used many western nations, in numerous weapon systems.

in 2009, u.s. military began fielding improved magazine identified tan-colored follower. new follower incorporates extended rear leg , modified bullet protrusion improved round stacking , orientation. self-leveling/anti-tilt follower minimizes jamming while wider spring coil profile creates force distribution. performance gains have not added weight or cost magazines.

in july 2016, u.s. army introduced improvement, new enhanced performance magazine, says result in 300% increase in reliability in m4 carbine. developed united states army armament research, development , engineering center , army research laboratory in 2013, tan colored blue follower distinguish earlier, incompatible magazines.