Editing M16 rifle (section)

==Production and users==
[[File:M16 operators of the world.svg|thumb|upright=1.8|Worldwide users of the M16 {{legend|#0360af|Current}}{{legend|#7693af|Former}}]]

The M16 is the most commonly manufactured 5.56×45mm rifle in the world. Currently, the M16 is in use by 15 NATO countries and more than 80 countries worldwide. Together, numerous companies in the United States, Canada, and China have produced more than 8,000,000 rifles of all variants. Approximately 90% are still in operation.{{sfnp|Colt, ''Customers ''|2003}} The M16 replaced both the M14 rifle and M2 carbine as standard infantry rifle of the U.S. armed forces. Although, the M14 continues to see limited service, mostly in [[sniper]], [[designated marksman]], and ceremonial roles.

===Users===
[[File:140311-M-YZ032-904 (13218013143).jpg|thumb|[[Afghan National Army]] soldiers with M16A2 rifles.]]
[[File:LAV3patrol.jpg|thumb|Canadian soldiers patrol Kandahar Afghanistan armed with C7 (M16 type) rifles.]]
[[File:CARAT Malaysia 2008 (080715-N-4431B-568).jpg|thumb|right|Malaysian Army soldier with an M16A1 equipped with an [[M203 grenade launcher]] during a CARAT Malaysia 2008.]]
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Female Soldiers Practice Shooting (1).jpg|thumb|Soldiers of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] in training with M16A1 rifles with the A2 style handguard.]]
[[File:RP Marines assault line DM-SD-06-10463.JPEG|thumb|Philippine marines using M16A1 rifles with the A2 style handguard during a military exercise.]]
[[File:2013.10.1 건군 제65주년 국군의 날 행사 The celebration ceremony for the 65th Anniversary of ROK Armed Forces (10078325636).jpg|thumb|South Korean soldiers toss bayonet mounted M16 rifles into the air at the celebration ceremony for the 65th Anniversary of the South Korean armed forces.]]
[[File:ARVN Rangers defend Saigon, Tet Offensive.jpg|thumb|[[Vietnamese Rangers|Vietnamese Army (ARVN) Rangers]] armed with M16s defend Saigon during the Tet Offensive.]]
[[File:US Marine M16A4 Rifle ACOG.jpg|thumb|right|[[United States Marine Corps|United States Marine]] firing an M16A4 equipped with an [[Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight|ACOG]].]]
[[File:Paskibra Pasukan 45.jpg|thumb|Indonesian soldiers accompanying the [[Paskibraka|Heritage Flag Hoisting Troops]] are seen holding M16A1 and [[Pindad SS1|SS1]] rifles while marching.]]
[[File:2012 Palestinian National Security Forces exercise in Gaza (08).jpg|thumb|[[Palestinian Security Forces]] with an M16A1 & M16A2 rifles during exercise in Gaza, 2012.]]
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* {{flag|Afghanistan}}: Taliban use M16A2 and M16A4 rifles previously supplied for Afghan National Army. Also in use with the [[Badri 313 Battalion]].{{sfnp|''WION, What is Badri 313 unit?''|2021}}
* {{Flag|Albania}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{Flag|Antigua and Barbuda}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Argentina}}: Currently use the M16A2 (by all Armed Forces).{{sfnp|''Exposición del Ejército Argentino''|2005}}
* {{flag|Azerbaijan}}: M16A4, used by the special forces and State Border Service (DSX).{{sfnp|''M16 (ARAŞDIRMA)''|2020}}
* {{flag|Bahrain}}{{sfnp|''BICI, 23 November 2011, pp. 77, 236, 262''}}
* {{flag|Bangladesh}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Barbados}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}:{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1/A4{{sfnp|''Ministarstvo''|2019}}
* {{flag|Belize}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{flag|Bolivia}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1/A2
* {{flag|Brazil}}: Used by special forces in the final phase of the [[Araguaia Guerrilla War|Araguaia guerrilla war]].{{sfnp|''Tropas e Armas''|2021}} M16A2s used by [[Brazilian Marine Corps]]{{sfnp|Small Arms Survey, ''Enemy Within'', 2007, p.24}}
* {{flag|Brunei}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A2 is used by the [[Royal Brunei Armed Forces]] as their main service rifle.{{sfnp|Capie|2022|p=2}}
* {{flag|Burundi}}: Burundian rebels{{sfnp|Small Arms Survey, ''Armed Violence in Burundi'', 2007, p.204}}
* {{flag|Cambodia}}{{sfnmp|1a1=Berrigan|1a2=Ciarrocca|1y=2017|1p=1|2a1=Wille|2y=2011|2p=18}} M16A1
* {{flag|Cameroon}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{flag|Canada}}: [[Colt Canada C7 and C8]] variants made by [[Colt Canada]] are used by the [[Canadian Forces]].{{sfnp|Miller|2001|p=357}}
* {{CAF}}{{sfnp|Small Arms Survey, ''The Central African Republic'', 2007, p.318}}
* {{flag|Chile}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1 used by [[Chilean Marine Corps]].
* {{Flag|Colombia}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Congo-Kinshasa}}{{sfnp|Berrigan|Ciarrocca|2017|p=1}}
* {{flag|Costa Rica}}{{sfnp|Colt, ''Customers ''|2003}}
* {{Flag|Czech Republic}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{Flag|Cyprus}}: Both M16 and M5 carbine in use. M5 delivered in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cyprus Infantry Arms List (Current and Former Types) |url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/by-country.php?Nation=Cyprus |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=www.militaryfactory.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Solutions |first=BDigital Web |title=Cutting-edge American rifles boost Cyprus' security forces |url=https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/cutting-edge-american-rifles-boost-cyprus-security-forces |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=knews.com.cy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-12 |title=Op-ed: American weapons for the National Guard |url=https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/op-ed-american-weapons-for-the-national-guard/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=in-cyprus.philenews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* {{flag|Denmark}}:{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=446}} C7A1 variant formerly used by all personnel, but now only serves a role with the Danish royal guards and some volunteers of the Danish home guard.{{cn|date=March 2024}}
* {{Flag|Djibouti}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Dominican Republic}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{flag|East Timor}}{{sfnp|Jane's Sentinel, ''Security Assessment – Southeast Asia'', 2007, pp.146, 152}} M16A2
* {{flag|Ecuador}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{Flag|Egypt}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|El Salvador}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1/A2/A3/A4
* {{flag|Estonia}}{{sfnp|''Eesti Kaitsevägi, 4 April 2008, p.1''}} Ex-U.S. M16A1s
* {{Flag|Falkland Islands}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Fiji}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1/A2
* {{flag|France}}: Used by counter-terrorism and special operations forces{{sfnp|''Ministère des Armées, 13 July 2016, p.1''}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{flag|Gabon}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{Flag|Georgia}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Ghana}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A2
* {{flag|Greece}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A2/A3/A4/M4/A2E M4 is used by the Special Forces of the [[Hellenic Army]], [[Hellenic Air Force]] and the [[Hellenic Navy]].{{sfnp|Hellenic Army|2002|pp=46-62}}
* {{flag|Grenada}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{flag|Guatemala}}{{sfnp|Berrigan|Ciarrocca|2017|p=1}} M16A1/M16A2
* {{flag|Haiti}}{{sfnp|Berrigan|Ciarrocca|2017|p=1}}
* {{Flag|Hungary}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Honduras}}{{sfnp|Gander|Hogg|1995|p=43}} M16A1
* {{flag|India}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{flag|Indonesia}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1
* {{flag|Iraq}}{{sfnp|''BBC News, 18 May 2007, p.1''}} M16A2/A4.
** {{Flag|Kurdistan}}{{sfnp|Mehta|2017|p=1}} M16A4
* {{flag|Israel}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1/M16A2E3
* {{Flag|Italy}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Ivory Coast}}{{sfnp|Anders|2014|p=15}} M16A1
* {{flag|Jamaica}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1/M16A2
* {{flag|Japan}}: M16A1 is used by [[Western Army Infantry Regiment]] along with [[Howa Type 89]] rifles.{{sfnp|''SAT Structure, 2013, p.1''}}
* {{flag|Jordan}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1/A2
* {{Flag|Kenya}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Kuwait}}{{sfnp|''Google Accounts, World Inventory: Kuwait, 2018''}} M16A1/A2
* {{flag|Latvia}}:{{sfnp|''Google Accounts, World Inventory: Latvia, 2018''}}
* {{flag|Lebanon}}{{sfnp|Berrigan|Ciarrocca|2017|p=1}} M16A1{{sfnp|McNab|2003|p=174}}/A2/A4
* {{flag|Lesotho}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{flag|Liberia}}{{sfnp|Berrigan|Ciarrocca|2017|p=1}} M16A1/A2
* {{flag|Lithuania}}: [[Lithuanian Armed Forces]]{{sfnp|''Lietuvos Kariuomenė, 2019''}}
* {{flag|Malaysia}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} [[Malaysian Armed Forces]], [[Royal Johor Military Force]], [[Royal Malaysia Police]], [[Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency]] and [[RELA Corps]].
* {{flag|Mauritius}}{{sfnp|''Mauritius Sauvetage, 2012''}}{{Better source needed|reason=Not in article.|date=November 2017}}
* {{flag|Mexico}}:{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A2 is used by the [[Mexican Marines]] in the [[Mexican Drug War]].{{sfnp|''Small Arms Defense Journal, 16 October 2021, p.1''}}
* {{flag|Monaco}}: ''[[Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince]]''{{sfnp|''CNN iReport, 16 October 2021, p.1''}}
* {{Flag|Mongolia}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Morocco}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1/M16A2/M16A3/M16A4
* {{flag|Myanmar}}: M16S1s made by Chartered Industries of Singapore provided secretly in violation of license agreements with Colt.{{sfnp|Ashton|1998|p=3298}}
* {{flag|Nepal}}{{sfnp|Sharma|2003|p=1}} M16A2 and M16A4; captured M16A2 were also used by Maoist rebels of the [[People's Liberation Army, Nepal]] during the Nepalese Civil War.{{sfnp|Small Arms Survey, ''Legacies of War in the Company of Peace'', 2013, pp.5–7}}
* {{flag|Netherlands}}: C7 and C8 variants are used by the [[Armed forces of the Netherlands|Military of the Netherlands]] and [[Diemaco C7LSW|LSW]] is used by [[Netherlands Marine Corps]].{{sfnmp|1a1=Bartocci|1a2=Stevens|1y=2004|1p=24|2a1=Miller|2y=2001|2p=357}}
* {{flag|Nicaragua}}: Used by the [[National Police of Nicaragua]] and army.{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Nigeria}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{flag|North Korea}}: M16A1 (probably unlicensed copies) used by KPA special forces. Used during the [[1996 Gangneung submarine infiltration incident|Gangneung incident in 1996]].{{sfnp|''MBC News, 25 September 1996''}}{{sfnp|''Yu Yong-won's Military World, 16 April 2013''}}
* {{flag|Oman}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1
* {{flag|Pakistan}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1
* {{flag|Palestinian Authority}}: Used by [[Palestinian National Security Forces|Palestinian Security Forces]]{{sfnp|Abu Amer|2015|p=1}} and various local militant forces.{{sfnp|''BBC News, 6 November 2006, p.1''}}{{sfnp|''Worthy News, 6 January 2009, p.1''}}
* {{flag|Panama}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1.
* {{flag|Papua New Guinea}}{{sfnp|Capie|New Zealand Peace and Disarmament Educational Trust|2004|p=63–65}} M16A2
** {{flag|Bougainville}}: Used by [[Bougainville Revolutionary Army]]. Captured from [[Papua New Guinea Defence Force]].{{sfnp|Ellwood|2014|pp=5, 19}}
* {{flag|Peru}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A2. M16A1 Used by Navy Special Operation Forces,{{sfnp|Montes|1970|p=1}} and by Directorate of Special Operations of the national police{{sfnp|''Google Accounts, World Inventory: Peru, 2018''}}
* {{flag|Philippines}}: [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]], [[Philippine National Police]] and [[Bureau of Corrections]].{{sfnp|MB|2021}} Manufactured under license by Elisco Tool and Manufacturing.{{sfnmp|1a1=Southby-Tailyour|1y=2003|1p=174|2a1=Berrigan|2a2=Ciarrocca|2y=2017|2p=1}} M16A1s, M653Ps and M16A3<ref name="auto"/> in use. Supplemented in Special Forces by the M4 carbine. [[Bureau of Jail Management and Penology]] received 90 units in 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/40979/bureau-gets-new-guns-to-beef-up-jail-security | title=Bureau gets new guns to beef up jail security | date=13 August 2011 }}</ref>
* {{PRT}}: A small number of M16A2s are used by the [[Special Actions Detachment]] of the [[Portuguese Navy]].{{sfnp|''Operacional, January 3, 2015''}}
* {{flag|Qatar}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1.
* {{Flag|Romania}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}} M16A2
* {{flag|Senegal}}: M16A1 and M16A2{{sfnp|Binnie|de Cherisey|2017|pp=3-5}}
* {{Flag|Serbia}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Sierra Leone}}: 1,000+ M16A1s in use.{{sfnp|''Google Accounts, World Inventory: Sierra Leone, 2018''}}
* {{flag|Singapore}}: Purchased 513 M16s and 25 XM16E1s in 1965–1666. Another purchase of 18,000 M16s and 2,300 civilian variant AR-15s was made in 1967–1968, which ignited controversy in the United States by prioritizing a neutral nation before the U.S. military fighting in Vietnam.<ref name="Korea XM16E1"/><ref name="Spokesman 1967">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ujdWAAAAIBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=M16&f=false |title=U.S. Plans M16s for Viets, Koreans |publisher=The Spokesman-Review |date=1967-03-11 |language=en}}</ref> Local variant of the M16A1 (M16S1) manufactured under license by ST Kinetics.{{sfnp|Berrigan|Ciarrocca|2017|p=1}}
* {{flag|Somalia}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{flag|South Africa}}: Used by [[South African Special Forces Brigade|Special Forces]].{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} Likely received from Moroccan stocks.{{sfnp|''Knysna-Plett Herald, 6 October 2016''}}
* {{flag|South Korea}}: Deliveries of XM16E1s began in October 1966 and M16A1s in March 1967 by the United States for the South Korea during the Vietnam War.<ref name="Korea XM16E1">{{Cite book |last=Subcommittee |first=United States Congress Senate Committee on Armed Services Preparedness Investigating |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=btBEAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA10&dq=XM16E1+Korea&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&ovdme=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjWl5ya4t-MAxUuL0QIHbYkEHoQ6wF6BAgLEAU#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Army Rifle Procurement and Distribution Program: Hearing, Ninetieth Congress, First Session. April 5, 1967 |date=1967 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Spokesman 1967"/> Also, 1,039,599 M16A1s (Colt Model 603K) were locally produced by Ministry of Defense Arsenal (later privatized to Daewoo Precision Industries and Poongsan Cooperation) at $7 royalty paid per rifle to Colt between 1971 to 1982.{{notetag|Initial agreement: 600,000; 1st renewal: 900,000; 2nd renewal: 960,000; 3rd renewal: 1,066,000}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Subcommittee |first=United States Congress House Committee on Armed Services Readiness |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Issues_Relating_to_the_Plastic_Injection/oTy9TOn5YUIC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Korea+Colt+license+M16&pg=PA112-IA56&printsec=frontcover |title=Issues Relating to the Plastic Injection Molding Industry: Hearing Before the Readiness Subcommittee of the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundredth Congress, Second Session, September 28, 1988 |date=1989 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |language=en}}</ref> KATUSA (Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army) soldiers who serve in the U.S. Army use the M16A2.{{sfnp|Berrigan|Ciarrocca|2017|p=1}} Retirement from active service began in 2005, and the Reserve Forces alone has 850,000 M16s in possession by the end of 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=군 후방ㆍ예비 전력 보강 |url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/009/0000392731?sid=102 |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=n.news.naver.com |language=ko}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-23 |title="예비군 카빈 소총, 내년에야 M16으로 대체"63개 소초에 열영상 CCTV 200대 설치 |url=https://news.kmib.co.kr/article/view.asp?arcid=0009888167 |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=국민일보 |language=ko}}</ref>
* {{flag|Sri Lanka}}{{sfnp|Berrigan|Ciarrocca|2017|p=1}}
* {{Flag|Sudan}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{Flag|Suriname}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Sweden}} A small number of M16A2s are used by the [[Swedish Armed Forces]] for familiarization training, as well as a similar number of AKMs, but they are not issued to combat units.{{NoteTag|Per Svensk: "The foreign weapons kit was purchased in 1986 to give personnel in the Armed Forces the opportunity to get to know the weapons that usually show up in war and crisis situations."{{sfnp|Svensk|2016|p=1}} }} The [[Automatkarbin 4]] and [[Automatkarbin 5]] rifles are used by the [[List of equipment of the Swedish Army#Small arms|Swedish Army]].
* {{flag|Syria}}: M16A1, M16A2. Captured from rebel groups.<ref name=":0a">{{Cite web |title=A few days ago about 10 Maghawir Thowra fighters defected to the SyAA |url=https://twitter.com/analystmick/status/1250911798997520384 |access-date=2020-11-30 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Bosni_94/status/1769446307586768937|title=SAA commando armed with an M16 rifle during training|accessdate=25 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SAMSyria0/status/1777473607355994534|title=5th Div. M16|accessdate=25 February 2025}}</ref>
* {{flag|Taiwan}}: M16A1, as well as indigenous Type 65/65K1/65K2, Type 86 and Type 91 (with AR-18 style gas piston system).{{sfnp|Military Factory, ''Colt M16A2 Assault Rifle'' (2014)}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
* {{flag|Thailand}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1/A2/A4. A variant of XM177 replica called Type 49 carbine (ปลส.49) Used in [[South Thailand insurgency]].
* {{flag|Tunisia}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A2/A4
* {{flag|Turkey}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16A1/A2/A4
* {{flag|Uganda}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}{{sfnp|Small Arms Survey, ''Enemy Within'', 2007, p.24}}
* {{flag|Ukraine}}{{sfnp|''Diemaco C7A1'' (2022)}} Multiple M16 variants.{{sfnp|''The Armourers Bench, January 29, 2023''}}
* {{flag|United Arab Emirates}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}: Purchased 5,000 M16s in 1965.<ref name="Korea XM16E1"/> Used in jungle warfare in [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation]].{{sfn|McNab|2003|p=243}} The [[Colt Canada C7 and C8#C8|Colt Canada C8]] (L119A1/L119A2) variant is used by [[Royal Military Police]] Close Protection Units,{{sfnp|''GOV.UK News August 7, 2012''}} the [[16 Air Assault Brigade#Pathfinder Group|Pathfinder Group]], [[United Kingdom Special Forces]]{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} and [[43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines]]{{sfnp|Ripley|2016|p=1}}
* {{flag|United States}}{{sfnp|''Army.mil, 24 June 2010''}}
* {{flag|Uruguay}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}}
* {{flag|Vietnam}}: Obtained from [[South Vietnam]] following [[Vietnam War]]{{sfnp|Ezell|1988|pp=152–153}} Over 946,000 M16s were captured in 1975 alone.{{sfnp|Rottman|2011|p=34}} XM16E1, M16A1 used.
* {{Flag|Yemen}}{{sfnp|''SALW Guide''|2021}}
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===Non-state users===
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Baluchistan.svg}} [[Balochistan Liberation Army]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Noir |first1=War |title=#Pakistan 🇵🇰: "Baloch Liberation Army" (#BLA) carried out a Night Ambush against Pakistani Forces in #Panjgur, #Balochistan.  Fighters seemingly armed with possible #USA-made 🇺🇸 FN / Colt M16A4  rifles with COTS & Longot A10  Thermal Scopes. |url=https://x.com/war_noir/status/1922737024697581893 |website=x.com |publisher=War Noir |access-date=15 May 2025}}</ref>
* {{flagicon image|Flagge FDLR.svg}} [[Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda]]{{sfnp|Small Arms Survey, ''Waning Cohesion'', 2015, p.201}}
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Eastern Indonesian Mujahideen (Mujahidin Indonesia Timur).svg}} [[East Indonesia Mujahideen]]{{sfnp|Aliansyah|2016|p=1}}
* {{flagicon image|Morning Star flag.svg}} [[Free Papua Movement]]{{sfnp|''Kabarpapua.co, September 7, 2021''}}
* {{Flag|ISIL}}{{sfnp|CTE, ''ISIS Weapons Use'', April 26, 2018}}{{sfnp|''NBC News, September 1, 2015''}}
** [[Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters]]{{sfnp|Maitem|2020|p=1}}
** [[Maute Group]]{{sfnp|Gonzales|2018|p=1}}
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Kurdistan Workers' Party.svg}} [[Kurdistan Workers' Party]]{{sfnp|Meydannet.com, ''PKK'lı terörist'', August 7, 2021}}{{sfnp|T.C. İçişleri Bakanlığı'',Siirt'te PKK'lı Teröristlere'' August 7, 2021}}
* {{flagicon image|Infoboxnpa.png}} [[New People's Army]]: Captured from [[Armed Forces of the Philippines|AFP]] and [[Philippine National Police|PNP]], supplied by sympathizers, or purchased from the black market.{{sfnp|Minda News, ''Army destroys firearms'', 23 August 2018}}{{sfnp|Kalinaw News, ''NPA killed'', 11 July 2020}}{{sfnp|Philippine News Agency, ''Soldiers Recover NPA weapons'', 20 September 2020}}
* [[File:Flag of PDF Myanmar.svg|22px]] [[People's Defence Force (Myanmar)|People's Defence Forces]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Myanmar PDFs getting the guns to turn the war - Asia Times |url=https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/myanmar-pdfs-getting-the-guns-to-turn-the-war/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109150931/https://asiatimes.com/2023/05/myanmar-pdfs-getting-the-guns-to-turn-the-war/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2024-01-09 |access-date=15 March 2025 |date=9 January 2024}}</ref>
* [[File:Flag of Syrian Democratic Forces.svg|22px]] [[Syrian Democratic Forces]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wilgenburg |first1=Wladimir van |title=YPG special forces |url=https://x.com/vvanwilgenburg/status/1165293022294216704 |website=x.com |access-date=23 December 2024}}</ref>
* {{flagdeco|Syrian Opposition}} [[Syrian opposition to Bashar al-Assad|Syrian opposition]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://x.com/JulianRoepcke/status/441097312106844160|title=x.com|website=X (formerly Twitter)|accessdate=25 February 2025}}</ref>

===Former users===
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Afghan interim government-in-exile (1988–1992).svg}} Used by the [[Afghan mujahideen]] during the [[Soviet–Afghan War]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.safar-publishing.com/post/use-of-the-m-16-rifle-by-mujahideen-during-the-soviet-afghan-war-1979-1989 | title=Use of the M-16 Rifle by Mujahideen during the Soviet-Afghan War 1979-1989 |date=5 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Afghanistan (2013–2021).svg}} [[Islamic Republic of Afghanistan]]: Standard issue rifle of the [[Afghan National Army]].{{sfnp|LWJ, ''Afghan National Security Forces Order of Battle'', (2011)}} Colt Canada C7 variants also saw limited service.
* {{Flag|Australia}}:{{sfnp|Diggerhistory, ''Australian weapons, Viet Nam and since'', (2002)}} M16A1 introduced during the Vietnam War and replaced by the [[Steyr AUG|F88 Austeyr]] in 1989.
* {{flagicon image|MNLF_flag.svg}} [[Bangsamoro Republik]]
* {{flagicon image|Flag_of_the_FARC-EP.svg|22px}} [[FARC]]{{sfnp|Moreno|2019|p=1}}
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Free Aceh Movement.svg}} [[Free Aceh Movement]]{{sfnp|medcom.id, ''Mantan Kombatan GAM'', 4 January 2019}}
* {{flag|British Hong Kong}}: M16A2 variant. Used by the [[Royal Hong Kong Regiment]].{{sfnp|RHKR, ''Equipment - Weapons'', 16 June 2021}}
* {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Laos}}: Received from the US government during the [[Vietnam War]] and [[Laotian Civil War]].{{sfnp|Conboy|McCouaig|1989|p=15}}
* {{flagicon image|Flag_of_the_Moro_Islamic_Liberation_Front.svg}} [[Moro Islamic Liberation Front]]
* {{Flag|New Zealand}}{{sfnp|Southby-Tailyour|2003|p=174}} M16 - replaced in 1988 by [[Steyr AUG]], which was being replaced with a [[Lewis Machine & Tool Company#MARS-L|non-Colt M16]] variant in 2016.{{sfnp|''The Firearm Blog'', 18 August 2015}}
* [[File:Provisional Irish Republican Army Badge.svg|20px]] [[Provisional IRA]]: Received a number of M16s during [[The Troubles]] in Northern Ireland.{{sfnp|An Sionnach Fionn, ''Reorganisation Of The IRA'', July 9, 2015}}
* {{flag|Rhodesia}}: M16A1{{sfnp|Moorcraft|McLaughlin|2008|p=92}}
* {{Flag|South Vietnam}}: 6,000 M16s in 1966, and 938,000 M16A1s in 1967–1975.{{sfnp|Walter|2006|pp=320-321}}<ref name="Spokesman 1967"/>
* [[File:FNL Flag.svg|22px]] [[Viet Cong]]: Captured from U.S. and [[Army of the Republic of Vietnam|ARVN]] forces.{{sfnp|Laemlein|2018|p=1}}
* {{flag|Zaire}}{{sfnp|Rottman|2011|p=34}}{{sfnp|Small Arms Survey, ''Waning Cohesion'', 2015, p.201}}