Modern Marvels

Season 8, Episode 17

Episode Title: The M-16

Air Date: 2001-06-11

Overview:

The most powerful assault rifle ever used in combat, the M-16 became the symbol of our lost war–Vietnam–and can easily be called America’s most unloved gun. Yet, 30 years after its introduction, it stands as a potent icon of U.S. military strength worldwide. We’ll explain how it almost ended up on the scrap heap!