Does the front sight on an M16 get hot under heavy fire?

Question

From my limited understanding of the operation of the M16 rifle, the combustion gases travel through the front sight (transitioning from the barrel to the gas tube). It seems that under heavy fire situations, this would cause the front sight to heat up. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Answer 1

What you are describing is the gas block. About half way down the barrel there is a port. It is hidden by the hand grip. The gas travels through there to cycle the bolt. That part does indeed heat up with use, however the sight is not mounted to it. The front sight is fixed to the end of the barrel and actually does not heat up very much, even with prolonged strings of fire.

Answer 2

You would have to put a S@#t load of rounds through an M16 type rifle for the front sight base, much less the sight post to get very hot.
The barrel will certainly heat up enough to burn a bare hand, Especially with older M16 and M16a1 rifles, Not as much of a problem with the heavy barrelled M16a2/a4 or M4 but they still get hot after extended firing, especially on 3 round burst/auto.

To fire enough rounds rapidly enough to get your front sight hot you would have already burned out your barrel not to mention your wallet if your a civilian shooter.

Answer 3

Hey, the "front sight" or front tip post (the little thing that sticks up and you aim through) doesn't get hot at all. However, the barrel (the long part that the bullet flys out of) heats up pretty good though and if you've been throwing a lot of rounds out of it, it will indeed burn your hands... which is why there's the plastic hand grip on the gun, and shooters most of the time wear gloves... if you wanna find out first hand... join the army!

Answer 4

if you are talking about the service M16 yes it gets warm with sustained firing, as will any weapon.

The barrel on my AR will be warm (not hot) to touch after ripping a 20 round clip through it. But it cools fairly quickly. Not the sight

Nothing that Gene Stoner didn't take into consideration.

Answer 5

I was in the Marines for 8 years and I've never had a problem with it, nor have I heard of a problem like that.

Answer 6

I have a mini 14 which is the same rifel without the full aut option. After expending a full 20 round clip the front sight is so hot it will give you a first degree burn if you touch it.

Answer 7

Join the military, otherwise, U don't need 2 know!!!

Just buy a rifle like the rest of us and go shoot a deer, it's tastier than humans you sicko!

Answer 8

NO........