early training aid for M16 rifles

[RCS]

My photos show an example of a training aid for recruits to use at the range with their M16 rifles

[ssgross]

Looks like it is designed to prevent movement of the selector out of the safe position. Maybe not so much a training aid as negligent discharge preventer.

[old tanker]

I remember those! They were intended to keep the shooter from placing the selector in the FULL AUTO position. They were sort of break away in that you could break the tab off deliberately to allow automatic fire. They seemed to show up in the "smash and salvage" units sometime in the early Seventies. I think they sprang from the same mindset that had shaft locks installed on most M14s from the beginning. It was cheaper to do that than "waste time and money" training support soldiers how to effectively use their personal weapons. Akin to the three round burst feature of the M16A2, a mechanical substitute for proper training.

[RCS]

Also believe these were used for riot control to prevent full automatic fire - may still be issued to National Guard units

[BEAR]

We had these devises installed on our rifles for riot control training in the early 70s. The powers to be didn't want us going "RAMBO" on the rioters. They never gave us live ammunition anyway so what was the point?
Speaking of points, the point of the bayonet was more satisfying. And more personal, especially after all the screaming and rock throwing and fire-bombing. Definitely more satisfying!
Sorry, reliving past memories.

BEAR

[old tanker]

We had these devises installed on our rifles for riot control training in the early 70s. The powers to be didn't want us going "RAMBO" on the rioters. They never gave us live ammunition anyway so what was the point?
Speaking of points, the point of the bayonet was more satisfying. And more personal, especially after all the screaming and rock throwing and fire-bombing. Definitely more satisfying!
Sorry, reliving past memories.

BEAR

I had the same observation. They had some M1917 bayonets chromed for riot control duty. The psychological effect of 16 inches of flashing steel on rioters unfazed by the sight of a Model 12 riot gun was plumb satisfying.

[ssgross]

The psychological effect of 16 inches of flashing steel on rioters

Not quite "rioters", but during the initial weeks of the Iraq invasion, often we would ride along as security detail for small convoys. Most towns had one road in, one out, and it passed through a central square. Even before making it to the town square there would be thongs of people slowing us down to a crawl. They would grab at everything attached inside or outside the vehicles with no fear at all...including muzzles of rifles pointed right at them. After a few minutes of that, we fixed bayonets. No one would come within 10 feet a truck after that. Bayonets are still very useful.

[MAC702]

They are, essentially, calling your bluff. They are pretty damn sure you aren't going to shoot them. But if you have a bayonet attached, they know it's on themselves not to get cut. It's a very real psychological difference.

[BEAR]

As Lance Corporal Jack Jones (Clive Dunn) in Dad's Army used to say "They don't like it up 'em!"

BEAR

[frenchkat]

In the 82nd in the mid 70s. Every time we were on riot control alert, our armorers installed these. Hold over from Kent State.

On riot alert for the bussing in Boston and when Angela Davis (and her supporters) and the KKK were marching in opposite directions through Raleigh, NC.