Ohh boy. Do you really want the answer? I am an M14/M1 Carbine owner. So I could aford 3 or 4 M16/AR types (will just call it the M16 from here on out)
Because the M16 is a freaking Mattel toy!!!!!!!!!
Direct Impingement. Don't get me started on this. On every shot the rifle is barfing all over it's insides. Who wants this? On the M14 all the dirty stuff is kept in a easily cleanable stainless steel cylinder up front. Not in the internals of your rifle! The M1 Carbine is even better about this with it's short stroke system.
The original caliber 5.56x45 is a damn varmint round. I won't get the caliber argument going again, but I have little faith in this round. I like 30 carbine better then I do like 5.56. Yes I know there are 300s and 6.5/6.8s that fit the AR15 platform, but by the time you pay for them, you might as well moved up to 7.62x51
The M4 has another issue, the barrel is too damn short, even in civilian length at 16 or in mill form at 14.5. You loose too much. CQB, clearing buildings you say? RoE bull honk. Want to know how WWII guys cleared a building? They fired 30 cal THRU the building to "clear it".
After having the M14 and the M1 carbine, I just can't warm up to the M16.
Call me an old school crusty curmudgeon and your right. But I will stay with 30 cal wood and steel rifles. Large bore rifles are what made this country what it is today.
I own rifles that were made to KILL communist heathens. Not wound them.
Exactly! Drive-by shooting? I'll just kill your car!