M96 FAQS

 

What is an M96 Expeditionary® Rifle?

 

The M96 is a modular, semi-automatic rifle based on the Stoner 63 Weapon System.  Though the rifles look similar, the internal components are very different.  Like the Stoner 63 before it, the M96 can be configured as a rifle, a carbine, and a top-fed rifle by depending on which parts added to a common receiver.

 

 

What makes the M96 better than other semi-automatic rifles on the market?

 

  1. It has less recoil.

  2. It is more controllable during rapid fire.

  3. It is more reliable.  For instance, it has less failures to eject, less stove-pipes, and less failures to feed than the AR15/M16 series of rifles.

  4. It is quite accurate out of the box.

  5. It can be assembled into many configurations.

  6. It doesn't need to be cleaned as often to work reliably.

  7. It has an adjustable gas system which allows the rifle to function reliably using a variety of ammunition and in a various conditions.

  8. It uses standard M16 magazines and drums

 

Where is the M96 Made?

 

The M96 Rifle is made completely in the U.S.A. using materials of the highest quality.  

 

 

What caliber is the M96 chambered for?

 

The M96 Rifle was originally designed to fire 5.56 NATO (.223 Rem.).  The M96 will be offered in a new caliber in 2003.  We have discontinued plans to make the M96 in 7.62x39mm.

 

Will the M96 be offered in 7.62 NATO (.308 Win.)?

 

No. The M96 receiver is not suitable for 7.62 NATO round.  we are designing a rifle for the .308 cartridge which will be available in the Summer of 2003.

 

 

What type of chamber does the M96 have?

 

All M96 barrel chambers are cut with a NATO spec. chamber reamer.  This allows the M96 to function reliably using a variety of ammunition and does not affect accuracy.

 

 

Are the M96 barrels and chambers chrome-lined?

 

Unless stated specifically otherwise, all of our standard barrels for the M96 rifle, recon carbine, and top fed carbine  have chrome-lined bores and chambers.  The chambers are to the 5.56 NATO Spec. 

 

Will any M96 parts fit the original Stoner 63?

 

The only part of the M96 which will fit the original Stoner 63 is the buttstock.

 

 

Which magazine does the M96 use?

 

The M96 was designed to accept standard AR15/M16 magazines which were manufactured to military specifications.  This means that most of the Aluminum and steel AR15/M16 magazines found on the market will work reliably with the M96.  Furthermore, plastic magazines such as the Thermold brand of magazines work great with the M96 as do the Beta C Mags.  It should be noted, however, that the Orlite brand of plastic magazines may not work reliably with the M96 as they are designed to fixture off the lower edge of the AR15/M16 magazine well which is different than that of the M96.

The M96’s magazine well is slightly shorter and has a different angle to its lower edge than the AR15/M16.

 

 

Are there scope mounts available for the M96?

 

There are two different scope mounts available for the M96.  These mounts consist of a long and short picatinny rail.  The long rail requires that the rear sight be removed.  The long rail contains a flip up "backup" sight.

 

The short rail allow one to install a red dot or similar sight in a more forward position.  With the short rail, the rear sight can be left on the rifle.

 

 

Are spare parts available?

 

All parts for the M96 are available.  Spare Parts Lists

 

 

How does the M96 work?

 

The M96 is a gas operated semiautomatic rifle.  It utilizes a multi-lugged rotating bolt which is contained in a bolt carrier and driven by a piston connected to an operating rod.  The bolt is similar to that of an AR15 or Stoner 63 rifle but is modified for greater strength and durability.  A cam slot within the bolt carrier causes the bolt to rotate in and out of engagement with the barrel extension.

As a round is fired, some of the expanding gasses used to push a bullet down the barrel are diverted from the barrel into a gas cylinder.  A piston and operating rod are inside the gas cylinder.  As the gasses hit the face of the piston, the operating rod and bolt carrier are forced to the rear of the firearm against the force of the recoil spring.  As the bolt carrier is forced to the rear, a cam slot in the bolt causes the bolt to rotate out of engagement with the lugs of the barrel extension.  Now the bolt carrier and bolt may travel freely to rear of the firearm.

The empty cartridge case is grasped by an extractor which pulls the cartridge case from the chamber of the barrel.  As the bolt and cartridge case travel past the back of the magazine, an ejector strikes the cartridge case.  As the cartridge case is struck by the ejector, it is torn from the grasp of the extractor and ejected violently from the firearm.

The bolt carrier, bolt, operating rod, and piston are now forced forward by the compressed recoil spring, stripping a new round from the magazine and forcing it into the chamber.  Now the rifle is ready to fire again.

   

 

What are the major differences between the M96 and the AR15?

 

Though both the AR15 and M96 are semi-automatic rifles firing .223 (5.56x45mm) ammunition, they have many important differences which affect their reliability and performance.

 

Method of Operation

 

The method of semiautomatic operation between the two rifles is different.  Both the M96 and AR15 are gas operated which means they use the expanding gasses of the fired cartridge to cycle their actions.  However, the AR15 channels the gasses used to cycle its action into its bolt carrier and into the area of the receiver where the bolt carrier slides.  These gasses are dirty with even the best ammunition.  The result is that after as few as 1,000 rounds are fired, the receiver and bolt of the AR15 are filthy and frequently cause the firearm to not cycle properly.

On the other hand the action of the M96 is cycled when the expanding gasses hit its piston.  This piston is located far from the part of the receiver in which the bolt carrier slides.  Also, none of the gasses are forced into the bolt carrier as they are on the AR15.  The end result is that the M96 can fire many times the number of rounds the AR15 can before cleaning is required to maintain reliable operation.

 

Ejection

 

The M96 and AR15 also differ in the manner cartridges are ejected.  The AR15 uses a spring loaded pin located in the face of its bolt.  The spring is very small and can become weak resulting in poor ejection and jamming due to empty cartridge cases not being completely ejected from the firearm (“stove pipes”).  The M96 utilizes and ejector which is mounted firmly within the magazine well.  Because this ejector is fixed solidly relative to the bolt, the empty cartridge case hits the ejector with much more force resulting in extremely reliable ejection a la the AK47.

 

Bolt

 

The bolt of the M96 is also different than that of the AR15.  Both rifles have a plurality of lugs.  However, the lugs of the M96 are larger and are spaced as to ensure more equal distribution of the forces on the lugs.  This enhances the life of the bolt and may improve accuracy.

 

Bolt Carrier

The bolt carrier of the M96 is also different from that of the AR15.  One of the most important reliability enhancing features of the M96 is the design of its operating system.  The bolt carrier and operating system of the M96 cause a longer delay in the rotation of its bolt after firing than that of the AR15.  This means that chamber pressures are lower while the bolt is rotating and cartridge case is being extracted.  When there is more pressure in the chamber, the sides of the cartridge case are pushed with more force against the walls of the chamber, making extraction and ejection more difficult.  The M96 extracts at a lower chamber pressure than does the AR15 resulting in smoother, more reliable cycling.

 

Quick Change Barrel

 

The barrel of the M96 is removable without special tools.  The barrel of the AR15 cannot be removed without special tools.  Having a removable barrel, allows the user to use a variety of barrels lengths and configurations.

 

Gas Adjustment

 

The barrels of the M96 have a gas adjustment which allows the operator to use more or less of the gasses to cycle the firearm. The AR15 has no such adjustment.  This is important when operating conditions or ammunition changes.  For example:  In colder temperatures, it may be necessary to use more of the gasses may for proper functioning.  Gas adjustments may also be necessary or useful when using subsonic or frangible ammunition, or when using suppressors.  The fact is the AR15 just isn’t as flexible.

 

Receiver Construction

 

The M96 has a stainless steel receiver; the AR15 has an aluminum receiver.  The stainless steel is more corrosion resistant and wears better than aluminum.

 

Ergonomics

 

The M96 has a non-reciprocating charging handle on the left side of the receiver.  The AR15 has a non-reciprocating charging handle on the rear of the receiver.  The placement of the charging handle is critical.  To cycle the action of an AR15, the user must take his sights off the target and must move the buttstock away from his cheek to get at the charging handle.  With the M96, a user can keep his eye on the target and right hand on the fire controls while cycling the action with his left hand.

 

 

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