The Stoner was an excellent weapon system, and in fact saw limited issue with SEALs and SF, but the M16 was already general issue by that time. It is interesting to note that Eugene Stoner, while working for Armalite, designed the Stoner system, the AR10, and the M16, what we call in civillian trim the AR15. He also designed the AR180, a stamped-steel, low cost version of the AR series. They were only issue weapons for Isreal and Singapore, but they still turn up in hot spots on occasion. Stoner was a brilliant weaponsmith, right up there with Mikhail Kalishnikov and Uzil Gal. Not quite in John Browning's league, but no one is.