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La France M16K (Kurz)

1982 COLD WAR MODERN

History

The American M16 and Soviet AK-47 assault rifles remain the two most prolific rifle designs on the modern battlefield, each claiming its fair share of copies (both licensed and unlicensed) and variants around the world . Both series continue in service in another form and have stood the test of time. In the 1980s, a tuning kit released by La France Specialties created a new M16 shape called "M16K" - "K" means the German word "Kurz", which means "short". The weapon is designed on a model of a compact submachine gun for close combat with special forces or vehicle personnel.

The M16K first entered production in 1982.

Like the M16, the M16K is armed with the 5.56x45mm NATO medium rifle cartridge and features many design lines from earlier rifles (as well as the AR-15's upper receiver, on which the M16 is based). A key difference is on the inside, a backflush operating system with a closed bolt function replaces the original direct-impact gas operating system. The gun weighs 5.25 pounds and measures 26.5 inches overall. The overall length of the foldable stock has been reduced by 23.5 inches.

Combine that with barrels that are only 8" and 3/8" long and you'll see the value of this compact bolt action system. It is fed from a detachable 30-round magazine and has a rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute.

The final weapon is a sturdy looking weapon. A short handguard sits above the barrel assembly and the stock is foldable. The carry handle above the receiver retains the design of the M16, as does the curved back pistol grip unit. Like the original M16, the magazine feed is located in front of the trigger group.

In practice, the weapon proved accurate thanks to the in-line layout and adjustable gas system.

In the 1990s, La France partnered with NAIT to support sales, but a 1994 federal ban on assault weapons hampered the product's growth in the lucrative U.S. civilian arms market. La France was acquired by Surefire LLC in 2004 and has kept the product line alive ever since.

The only relevant variant of the M16K is the M16K-45, designed for .

Both versions support 12" long silencers for stealth work.