Call of Duty: Black Ops

Black Ops 1 M16

Assault RiflesAvailable once Create-a-Class opens at Level 4No CoD Points requiredTakes camo
Assault RiflesM16 — Call of Duty: Black Ops weapon render

How do you unlock the M16?

The M16 is available once Create-a-Class opens at Level 4 in Call of Duty: Black Ops. The M16's three-round trigger cycle favors deliberate medium- and long-lane shots; it is less forgiving when a close target moves between bursts. No CoD Points purchase is required. It accepts all 14 standard store camos plus Gold from 14th Prestige.

UnlockDefault
PurchaseNo CoD Points required
Takes camoYes

Reviewed July 27, 2026. Sources include Activision's original Black Ops overview, the official Xbox 360 manual, official PlayStation release and Treyarch-authored Prestige documentation, contemporaneous multiplayer tables, and a specialist identification reference for the in-game firearm models. Play advice is editorial. Scope: original 2010 multiplayer progression, not Campaign, Zombies, Black Ops Cold War, later games or mods; the 2026 PlayStation port is only described where official platform information is available.

Sources: Activision — Black Ops · Official Xbox 360 manual · PlayStation Store release listing · PlayStation.Blog — Treyarch Prestige reset facts · Contemporaneous multiplayer weapon table · GameFAQs — purchasable-item Prestige reset · IMFDB — in-game firearm identifications

How does the M16 play in Black Ops 1?

RoleDefault three-round-burst assault rifle
Real-world basisColt Model 604/USAF M16-pattern rifle, represented in-game as the M16
StrengthsAccurate burst rhythm for controlled lane fights; Broad attachment selection supports optics, stealth or extra ammunition
TradeoffsA missed burst creates a pause before the next attempt; Close fights demand accurate centering instead of holding the trigger
Attachments and setupThe M16 accepts the normal assault-rifle sight, magazine, suppressor and underbarrel options; Choose an optic only if it gives a cleaner sight picture; the core advantage is disciplined burst placement
Challenge noteBO1 weapon challenges are separate from camouflage. Camos are bought per eligible primary with earned CoD Points rather than unlocked through a weapon challenge.
Camo tipLet each burst settle before firing again at distance. In a room, pre-aim the doorway so the first burst starts on target.
Compared withChoose the M16 over the G11 for its wider attachment menu; the classified G11 carries 48 rounds and a quicker burst rhythm but only two scope choices.

Every camo, exact unlocks — see the full Black Ops 1 camo directory.

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M16 — common questions

What level does the M16 unlock at in Black Ops 1?

The M16 is available once Create-a-Class opens at Level 4 in Call of Duty: Black Ops multiplayer. No CoD Points purchase is required. The level cap is 50, and prestige is up to 15.

How do camos work on the M16?

Camos here are bought, not earned: every standard camo costs 250 CoD Points per weapon once camo purchases unlock at level 22, with no challenges or headshots attached. Gold is the exception — it unlocks for purchase at 14th Prestige and costs 50,000 CoD Points per weapon. These are earned multiplayer CoD Points from BO1's economy, not the premium COD Points used in newer games. Each camo is bought per weapon, so buying one for the M16 only unlocks it there.

Can you unlock the M16 for me?

Yes — our Black Ops 1 Unlock All service covers any prestige 1-15, max level 50, max CoD Points and every weapon unlocked (Xbox 360), from $19.99. See the service.

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Skip the grind

Our Black Ops 1 Unlock All service includes any prestige 1-15, max level 50, max CoD Points and every weapon unlocked (Xbox 360), from $19.99.

See Black Ops 1 servicesSee exact inclusions on the service page