Home Forums Blogs Articles Photos Videos Contact FAQ

M4 Carbine - Headline text

M4 Carbine - Headline text: Encyclopedia II - M4 Carbine - Headline text

838 mm (33 in) (stock extended) 3.0 kg (6.6 lb) w/ 30 rounds The M4 Carbine traces its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 made by Armalite. The weapon is a shorter and lighter version of the M16A2 assault rifle, achieving 80% parts commonality with the M16A2. The M4 has selective fire options including semi-automatic and three-round burst (like the M16A2), while the M4A1 has a "full auto" option in place of the three-round burst. The M4A1 is sometimes also found with a he ...

M4 Carbine: Encyclopedia II - M4 Carbine - Headline text

M4 Carbine - Headline text

838 mm (33 in) (stock extended)

3.0 kg (6.6 lb) w/ 30 rounds

The M4 Carbine traces its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 made by Armalite. The weapon is a shorter and lighter version of the M16A2 assault rifle, achieving 80% parts commonality with the M16A2. The M4 has selective fire options including semi-automatic and three-round burst (like the M16A2), while the M4A1 has a "full auto" option in place of the three-round burst. The M4A1 is sometimes also found with a heavier profile barrel to withstand heat from sustained fully-automatic fire. Both the M4 and M4A1 carbines fire 5.56 mm NATO ammunition and are gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, selective fire firearms with a collapsible stock. A fixed stock can also be fitted, but this is not common practice in the U.S. military.

As with many carbines, the M4 is handy and more convenient to carry than a full-length rifle. While this makes it a candidate for non-infantry troops (vehicle crews, clerks and staff officers), it also makes it ideal for close quarters battle, and airborne and special operations. It has been adopted by United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and is the preferred weapon of the U.S. Special Forces.

The M4 was developed and produced for the United States government by Colt Firearms, which has an exclusive contract to produce the M4 family of weapons through 2009; however, a number of other manufacturers offer M4-like firearms. The M4, along with the M16A4, has mostly replaced M16 and M16A2 firearms; the U.S. Air Force, for example, plans to transition completely to the M4A1 Carbine. The M4 has also replaced the M3A1 submachine guns that remained in service (mostly with tank crews). The M4 is similar to much earlier compact M16 versions, such as the 1960s-era XM177 family, though unlike them it is not intended to fire the earlier M193/6 ball ammunition.