FN makes M16s for the US

[Will Brink]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbQDjEZmPws


Beginning of the vid, it says FN on the place. I didn't know FN made M16s for the US military. I thought they came from Colt and others. Or is Colt the M4 only? I guess FN is one of the approved contractors. Didn't know that. At first, I thought it was probably not Fabrique National, but it appears it is:

http://www.fnmfg.com/products/m16fam/

I have never seen an FN M16. Have you?

 

[dsm]

FN is a major supplier to the US military. They tout this in their ads in American Rifleman magazine and other publications.

The FN name does come from Fabrique Nationale. FN is part of the Herstal Group which owns the FN, Browning, and Winchester firearm brands (but not Winchester ammo which is owned by Olin). They are headquartered in Belgium but are a multi-national corporation.

More information here: http://www.herstalgroup.com/english/index.html

 

[ochmude]

I don't recall anyone in my platoon that didn't have an FN M16. IIRC, the SAWs were made by FN as well.

 

[mark056]

FN held the principal contract for the M16A2 back in the early 90's. They beat out Colt for the contract, and built a factory to make the weapon in South Carolina. They had to pay Colt a royalty on each rifle though because Colt still held patents on the Stoner system.

Colt has the contract for the M4 and made a big deal about it when they first got it because they finally got a government contract back. Colt had been the almost exclusive manufacturer of the M16 and M16A1. Harrington and Richardson had a supplemental contract to make M16A1s during the Viet Nam War.

FN is one of the oldest and most respected manufacturer of military arms in the world.

Mark L.

 

[Another_David]

If you want more info check out the article I just posted here:

http://northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=35248

 

[greycar]

A3/A4's

FN Manufacturing, Columbia, S.C., was awarded on Dec. 21, 2007, a $33,670,649.00 firm-fixed-price, contract for M16A3 and M16A4 Rifles to support the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Columbia, S.C., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Sep. 10, 2007, and nine bids were received. TACOM LCMC, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W52H09-08-D-0121).
http://www.defenselink.mil/contracts/contract.aspx?contractid=3674

You can search contracts at http://www.defenselink.mil/search/

 

[Garys]

Now I'm confused. Do both FN and Colt make these? It would seem from the other article that Colt has some sort of magical grip on M4 manufacture for the US military. Could it be that the article cited there is *GASP* inaccurate?

On a related note. Anyone know anything about the HK M416? Is it that good?

Gary

 

[smitty]

Colt only makes the M4's

Active duty Marine SSgt with 15 years service stationed here in MA. FN makes the M240G and M249SAW machineguns for the nation. they also make M16A2's and the newer M-16A4's. I have been to the FN plant in Columbia , SC and it's something else.
smitty

 

[Ford Truck]

I had to turn in my M14 for a Harrington & Richardson M16 when I was stationed in West Germany. I think it was in '70.

 

[vellnueve]

Colt designed/builds the M4
Colt designed and built the M16/A1/A2
FN builds the M16A2/A3/A4 now
FN designed/built the 249 and 240
Beretta makes the M9