American 180 vs M16: When 1,200 RPM .22 LR Outshines 5.56 NATO

The American 180 and M16 represent two radically different approaches to automatic fire—one a hyper-fast .22 LR bullet hose, the other a battle-tested 5.56 NATO rifle. But in certain scenarios, the American-180’s 1,200 RPM rate of fire and low-cost ammo make it surprisingly effective against its bigger brother.

In this head-to-head comparison, we’ll break down:
✔ Ammo Cost & Availability – Why .22 LR dominates in sustained fire
✔ CQB Effectiveness – Pros and cons of each in close quarters
✔ Police & Niche Uses – Where the American-180 still shines today
✔ Sustained Fire Cost Analysis – The shocking dollar-per-second difference

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1. Ammo Cost & Availability: .22 LR vs. 5.56 NATO / American 180 vs M16

American-180 (.22 LR)

• Cost per Round: $0.08–$0.12 (bulk ammo)

• Magazine Capacity: 165–275 rounds (pan/drum mags)

• Sustained Fire Cost: $13–$20 per minute of continuous firing

M16 (5.56 NATO)

• Cost per Round: $0.40–$0.60 (steel/brass case)

• Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds (standard STANAG)

• Sustained Fire Cost: $120–$180 per minute of continuous firing

Winner: American-180

• 10x cheaper to operate in full-auto

• Easier to stockpile (less regulated than 5.56)

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2. CQB Effectiveness: Spray vs. Precision

American 180 vs M16

Where the American-180 Wins in CQB:

✅ Room Clearing – Extreme volume of fire suppresses targets
✅ Hostage Situations – Less over-penetration risk
✅ Vehicle Interiors – .22 LR ricochets less than 5.56

Where the M16 Dominates:

✅ Body Armor Penetration (5.56 defeats Level III)
✅ Effective Range (400m+ vs. 150m with .22 LR)
✅ Stopping Power (One 5.56 round > ten .22 LR hits)

Verdict: The American-180 is better for confined spaces, while the M16 excels in open combat.

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3. Police & Niche Uses: Where the American-180 Still Shines

Prison Guard Duty

• Less lethal (but still deterrent) vs. riots

• Cheaper training for corrections officers

Surveillance Ops

• Quiet when suppressed (subsonic .22 LR)

• Low signature (no muzzle flash)

Historical Reenactments

• Vietnam/CIA legacy – Used by some special units

Fun Fact: The ATF once classified the American-180 as a “non-sporting” firearm, restricting new sales.

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4. Cost-Per-Second of Sustained Fire

Bottom Line: The American-180 lets you “spray and pray” affordably—something the M16 can’t match.

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Final Verdict: Which is Better? / American 180 vs M16

Choose the American-180 If You Want:

• Budget full-auto fun

• Suppressed high-volume fire

• A rare piece of firearms history

Choose the M16 If You Need:

• Real combat effectiveness

• Armor penetration

• Standardized military reliability

For collectors and niche users, the American-180 remains a legendary oddity—a gun where volume trumps power.

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