5.56mm M-4 CarbineThe M-4 Carbine is a shortened M-16A2 rifle introduced in 1988. It has replaced about 10 percent of the M-16s in the Army (as of 2003) and has been issued to Marine units selectively. However, it is not intended to completely replace the M-16. The advantage is that the M-4 Carbine is smaller and more compact and most soldiers carrying an M-16 would rather be carrying an M-4. It’s smaller, lighter and is better for shooting out of vehicles.
Description of the M-4 Carbine
The M-4 or M-4A1 5.56mm Carbine is a shortened version of the M-16A2 rifle. It is a lightweight, gas operated, air cooled, magazine fed, selective rate, shoulder fired weapon with a collapsible stock. The M-4 Carbine achieves over 80% parts commonality with the M-16A2 to simplify logistics. It will replace all M-3 .45 caliber submachine guns and for certain service applications, it will replace M-9 pistols and regular M-16 rifles. The M-4A1 has a rail-mounted forward handgrip, a telescopic stock, a removable carrying handle and Military Standard 1913 (MilStd 1913) accessory mounting rail for night vision sights, combat optics, red-dot laser sights, flashlights or other add-ons, even the M203A1 grenade launcher. The trigger unit is also modified to fire full-auto rather than three-round bursts. The M-4A1 Carbine Special-Operations Peculiar-Modified (SOPMOD) is described on the linked page. Characteristics of the M-4 Carbine
The M-4 Carbine is an anti-personnel weapon designed to be more agile and lighter weight while retaining its lethal effect. Specifications are:
Bayonets for the M-4 CarbineThe M-4 Carbine uses the M-7 bayonet which was replaced by the newer M-9 Multipurpose Bayonet System starting in 1987. Since 2002, Marines use the USMC Multipurpose Bayonet (MB). The M-4 Carbine is interchangable with the M-16 for these bayonets.
M-4 Carbine Grenade LaunchersBoth the M203A1 40mm Grenade Launcher and the M320A1 40mm Grenade Launcher are designed to be fitted under the barrel of the M-4 Carbine for additional firepower. See the linked Olive-Drab.com pages for more information on the grenade launchers. Find More Information on the InternetThere are many fine websites that have additional information on this topic, too many to list here and too many to keep up with as they come and go. Use this Google web search form to get an up to date report of what's out there. For good results, try entering this: m4 carbine. Then click the Search button. |
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