Regarding the M16's reliability issues in Vietnam....

So, how much could be traced to the US Army cheapening out like ball powder (instead of the stick powder it was designed for) and not chrome lining the insides* and how much of it is deliberate sabotage to ensure that the M14 still remains as the standard infantry rifle?

Sometimes the difference between corner cutting and pure malice is almost indistinguishable when it comes to procurement. And the M16 is one of those cases.

*Did'nt help that Colt outsourced their chroming in their earilier AR-15 models before the M16 and there were QC issues in the chroming as well.