The M-16 And The Vietnam WarHistory » Vietnam War » The M-16 And The Vietnam War The M-16 has a little known story behind it. The AR-15 is America’s rifle. Worldwide it is the most produced rifle in .223 and second only to the AK-47 in total production of all rifles made after World War 2. Yet for all of its popularity today, America’s rifle failed America’s soldiers in Vietnam. The recipe for..