US Marine Corps Technical Manual TM 05538C-23&P/2 for rifle, 5.56-mm, M16A2, page 2-15 "Do not interchange bolt assemblies or components from one weapon to another. Doing so may result in injury to, or death of, personnel."


I am more familiar with the M1icon Carbine and M1 Garand. During the service lives of these weapons, it was usual for soldiers to have cleaning parties where all the parts were mixed and reassembled without regard of which rifle they came from. My M1 Carbine Technical Manual shows a special bolt tool for checking head space to make sure that any M1 Carbine in specification bolt will properly head space.

Does anyone know the story behind the abandonment of the complete interchangeability policy and practice?
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