ML> VH> The M16A2 and A4 are burst control -- which shows someone is
ML> VH> getting some sense about this full auto business, but not
ML> VH> going far enough (which would be semi-auto only.)

ML>in 1981, i was training in the USAF and got some range time with a M16 but i
ML>don't know exactly which one... it did have three settings... safety, semi,
ML>auto... semi was one shot and auto would empty the clip faster than you coul
ML>blink... then again, it was a small training clip and so only carried like 5
ML>10 rounds, AIR...

Full auto does exactly what you say.  It empties the magazine.  Now, if
the first shot of the burst does not hit, successive shots are
increasingly unlikely to hit.  And when you do not hit, the thing to do
is reaim, and fire again.  Full auto makes it more difficult to rapidly
reaim, and gives you fewer chances before you have to reload.

Which is why full auto fire from hand-held weapons is so ineffective in
combat.

Which is the reason Jeff Cooper says, "May all your enemies be on full
auto."

ML>i also note, above, that you list the A2 and A4 as being burst control... wh
ML>about the A3 or was there such a beast? i'm guessing that the A1 was the fir
ML>one and that it was the one used in 'nam?

The first service to adopt the M16 was the Air Force, which adopted the
plain M16.

The A1 was the Army version, with the bolt assist.  The A2 incorporates
some 3,000+ engineering changes, from brass deflector, to heavier,
faster twist barrel, to better sights.  The A3 was never adopted for
issue.

The A4 is similar to the A2, but with a "flat top" -- the
familiar carrying handle mount for the rear sight and the front sight
are gone, replaced by a Pickatinny Rail.  Detatchable front and rear
sights can be mounted on this rail, or any of a variety of scopes and
other aiming devices.

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