Although my issue was at the time either a C1A1, C2A1 or SMG C1...I had occasion to have issued an M16A1. Once was in Australiaicon for LWC training in Canungra (1977)and other times were Ft Wainwright AK in January '75. I also had one for a time here in Canadaicon for an exchange in about '76. The experiences were all reasonable because I had cleaning time and no real threat. Ball ammo worked fine for us and the blank for exercise was passable... Ours had regular rack numbers painted on them and we were issued 30 rd mags only, although we'd find 20s in the area. We had bayonets and sometimes the belt mounted cleaning kits. Usually the butt cleaning kit was issued and the standard black sling.

My overseas trips were FN C1 only...