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Not to be confused with the M16A4 or M16A1.

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A traditional AR-15 platform assault rifle as used by the US military. This version features a fully automatic trigger group. Accurate with low recoil and a fast reload.
–In-game description


The M16A3 is an American Assault Rifle available in Phantom Forces. It is unlocked at rank 31 or could be purchased using credits.

History[]

The M16A3 is a modified version of the M16A2 adopted in small numbers by the United States Navy SEALs, Seabees, and Security units.[1] The M16A3's main difference from its predecessor is its adoption of a three-position trigger group, with safe, semi-, and fully-automatic settings.

In-Game[]

General Information[]

The M16A3 is a rather on-par assault rifle; dealing 32 damage up close and dropping to 22 damage at the end of its damage drop off, equating to a four-shot kill (4SK) up close and a 5SK at longer ranges. The range is fairly good for its class, with damage beginning to drop off at 80 studs and stopping at 145 studs. Its rate of fire (RoF) is also quite good for an assault rifle, at 800 RPM. The M16A3 boasts the one of the highest muzzle velocity for its weapon type at 2700 studs per second. This results in the M16A3 having a fairly consistent, albeit relatively average time to kill (TTK) across all distances.

The M16A3 has moderate first-shot recoil, but fairly controllable overall recoil kicking mostly vertically with some horizontal deviation—this is noticeable when aiming down sights (ADS). Furthermore, it has a good recoil recovery speed as well as a moderately low camera recoil. Hipfire accuracy is on par with other assault rifles along with the ADS time, weapon switch time, and walk speed.

As of the April Fools update, the M16A3 is able to switch ammunition to the Remington .223 round with 0 kills with the weapon. That was later increase to 500 kills on any weapon it can be equipped on. This decreases damage from 32->22 to 30.40->19.80. In turn, these .223 rounds mitigate the large majority of recoil from the weapon. Combined with attachments such as the Blue Laser and Muzzle Brake, the weapon loses nearly all recoil.

The M16A3 carries much faster reload times than most assault rifles. With a tactical reload requiring 2.1 seconds to complete and an empty reload taking 2.8 seconds, the M16A3 has a quite fast tactical reload time. The M16A3 ends up having a fairly high ammunition consumption rate due to its higher RoF with an in-class average 30-round magazine. Fortunately, the M16A3's ammunition type is quite common among assault rifles and carbines.

Usage & Tactics[]

The M16A3 is a very versatile Assault Rifle with moderate stats in most areas. It's geared towards close and medium range combat, given its higher RoF and quick reload times. Its consistent and low TTK can go toe-to-toe with some personal defense weapons and carbines such as the MP10G36C, and L22, while remaining competitive with medium-range assault rifles such as the G36, AK12, and AUG A3. Despite its higher rate of fire, with the right attachments equipped, it can be an effective weapon out to range, though other rifles such as the AN-94 and SCAR-L are more suited for ranged combat.

M16A3 users should remain within close to medium range. In close-quarters-combat (CQC), the M16A3 loses out to faster firing weapons such as the Kriss Vector and MAC10, M16A4, and higher damage weapons such as the AK47. Despite the higher muzzle velocity compared to other assault rifles, M16A3 users should not engage at longer ranges. Its 5SK makes it much harder to achieve kills at longer distances compared to more suitable weapons such as a designated marksman rifle. Remaining within the 4SK range is the best way to take full advantage of the M16A3's versatility. Multiple strategies and playstyles work well with this weapon, from aggressive rushing tactics and defensive methods to flanking.

One major flaw hindering the M16A3's performance is its relatively high muzzle flash. Compared to the M4A1, it is more visible, obstructing its iron sights making target acquisition more difficult. To combat this, a Flash Hider is a good attachment at the cost of slightly reduced hip-fire accuracy, sight accuracy and stability. Alternatives are suppressors, which reduce damage, muzzle velocity, and the overall effective range for minor changes to recoil.

Attachment-wise, the M16A3 is very flexible and can accommodate many different combinations that fit into individual playstyles. Those who struggle with horizontal recoil can opt for a Compensator, making the M16A3 very stable at the expense of slightly higher vertical recoil. The suppressors provide suitable sound masking to those looking for a stealth option. The downsides of suppressors are not as severe as with other weapons; the range reduction is minimal, making the shots to kill (STK) remain the same. Muzzle velocity reduction depends on the equipped suppressor. Thanks to the above-average muzzle velocity by default, the reduced values remain higher than that of other assault rifles with the same suppressor.

Conclusion[]

The M16A3 is an effective Assault Rifle for those looking for a balanced weapon geared more towards close and mid range combat. The high customizability of the weapon allows users more say in how they would like the weapon to handle to meet their purposes. It is a good substitute for users who do not prefer to use the M16A4; however, its obstructive muzzle flash and high first shot recoil results in some difficulty to engage in long-range situations.

Pros & Cons[]

Pros

  • Overall controllable recoil.
  • Fast reloads.
  • Relatively high RoF.
  • Common ammunition type.
  • Forgiving range.
  • Above-average muzzle velocity and penetration depth.

Cons

  • Large muzzle flash—can obstruct the view of the iron sights.
  • Moderate first shot recoil.

Trivia[]

  • Before its remodel in version 7.1.0, the M16A3 in Phantom Forces was actually an M16A4-R0901, which features a semi- and fully-automatic trigger group like the M16A3. This was likely due to the in-game M16A3 being based on the M16A3's depiction in Battlefield 3.
  • Along with all other AR-15 Family members' models, the selector switch is on safety.
  • The bolt is closed after the last shot, it is not the case in real life where the bolt would lock open.
    • In real life, when the bolt is open, the user can reload and press the bolt release button to chamber the round. The charging handle is used when reloading with the bolt closed.
    • There was previously a bolt release animation, used in the tactical reload animation, but was removed to make the reload more realistic.
  • Before they were remodeled in version 7.1.0, the M16A4 and the M16A3's models were practically identical. At one point, they used to have different magazine colors.
    • This also applied to the M4A1 and the M4.
    • Although in real life, the M16A3 doesn't have the Rail Adapter System (RAS) or Rail Interface System (RIS) handguard from the factory, unlike the M16A4. However, the M16A3 can still use it as the handguard is compatible with any M16 variant, including the M16 and M16A1.
  • Prior to the Sights and Accuracy update, the M16A3's front iron sight would remain even with optical attachments.
  • Prior to the Canada Independence Day update, the M16A3 along with some other AR-15 rifles, had glowing iron sights.
  • The M16A3 features a Burst Grouping attachment, replacing the automatic fire mode with a three-round burst mode. It also changes the weapon's name to M16A2. The attachment reduces camera kick, base maximum damage (from 32 to 30), and minimum range (from 80 studs to 65 studs), but it increases minimum damage (from 22.00 to 22.60) torso and head multipliers (from 1.00 to 1.11 and 1.40 to 1.50, respectively) as well as overall accuracy.


References[]

Weaponry
Primary Weapons

Assault Rifles

AK12 - AN-94 - AS VAL - SCAR-L - AUG A1 - M16A4 - G36
M16A1 - M16A3 - AUG A2 - K2 - FAMAS F1 - AK47 - AUG A3 - L85A2
HK416 - AK74 - AKM - AK103 - TAR-21 - StG-44 - M231
Type 88 - C7A2 - G11K2 - Type 20

Personal Defense Weapons

MP5K - UMP45 - G36C - MP7 - MAC10 - P90 - Colt MARS - MP5
Colt SMG 633 - L2A3 - MP5SD - MP10 - MP5/10 - Uzi - M3A1
AUG A3 Para - K7 - AKS74U - PPSh-41 - FAL Para Shorty
PP-19 Bizon - Kriss Vector - MP40 - X95 SMG - Tommy Gun
RAMA 1130 - BWC-9

Light Machine Guns

Colt LMG - M60 - AUG HBAR - MG36 - RPK12 - L86 LSW - RPK
HK21 - HAMR IAR - RPK74 - MG3KWS - Stoner 96 - ChainSAW - MG42 - M1918A2

Sniper Rifles

Intervention - Model 700 - Dragunov SVU - AWS - BFG 50
AWM - TRG-42 - Mosin Nagant - K14 - Dragunov SVDS - Hecate II
M107 - Steyr Scout - WA2000 - NTW-20 - FT300 - M1903

Carbines

M4A1 - G36K - M4 - L22 - SCAR PDW - AKU12 - Groza-1
AK12C - Honey Badger - K1A - SR-3M - Groza-4 - MC51SD
FAL 50.63 Para - 1858 Carbine - AK105 - Jury - KAC SRR
Gyrojet Carbine - X95R - HK51B - C8A2 - OTs-126 - Can Cannon

Designated Marksman Rifles

MK11 - SKS - SL-8 - VSS Vintorez - MSG90 - Beowulf TCR
SA58 SPR - SCAR SSR - M21

Battle Rifles

Beowulf ECR - SCAR-H - AK12BR - G3A3 - AG-3 - HK417
Henry 45-70 - FAL 50.00 - M14 - HCAR

Shotguns

KSG-12 - Model 870 - DBV12 - KS-23M - Saiga-12
Stevens DB - AA-12 - SPAS-12 - DT11 - E-Gun - USAS-12

Secondary Weapons Pistols

M9 - M17 - G17 - M1911 - Desert Eagle L5 - GI M1 - Hardballer
Izhevsk PB - M45A1 - KG-99 - Five Seven - ZIP 22 - Makarov PM - AM III Grizzly - GB-22 - Desert Eagle XIX - Gyrojet Mark I - GSP - G21 - G23
G40 - G50 - M2011 - AF2011-A1 - Alien

Machine Pistols

G18 - 93R - TEC-9 - Micro Uzi - Škorpion vz. 61 - MP1911
Arm Pistol - ASMI - PP-2000

Revolvers

MP412 REX - Mateba 6 - 1858 New Army - Redhawk 44
Judge - Executioner

Other

Serbu Shotgun - SFG 50 - M79 Thumper - Sawed Off
Saiga-12U - Obrez - Coilgun - SASS 308

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