Over the years I have heard the disgusting tale that the M-16 is our oldest serving shoulder arm being adopted in 1965 so let us put this lie to bed for once in all. The M-14/M1Awas adopted by the Us Military in 1957 replacing the MI the BAR the Thompson and M3 and supposedly the carbine. The M-16 was adopted in 1965 despite the objections of the men in the field. Yes the M-16 has seen more continuous years of service though I have no idea why (and yes I was issued one in 1970 which I traded for a shotgun ,an 1100 that was as unreliable as the 16) Since the M14 is now in reissue because the M-16 doesn't have enough a$$ to do the job The M14/M1A had now regained the title in a knockout match of the longest serving shoulder arm in the US arsenal. Case close.
The longest serving sidearm was and still is the Browning designed M1911 and the longest serving machine gun the Browning M2 machine gun.Information
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