History of the M4
M4 assault rifles derive from the initial versions of the M16 model, for which the primary models is the AR-15. The AR-15, which is the most celebrated lightweight rifles in the history of firearms. The M4 is a shorter and less weighty derivation of the assault rifle known as the M16A2 and shares many components with this model. Basically, it offers the options of firing in semi-automatic mode or in short bursts of three rounds each. A more advanced model, the M4A1, offer upgraded features such as high resistance to barrel heating in continuous firing situations.
The M4 is favored in modern tactical combat operations and is is the standard infantry assault rifle used by the United States military. On the front, it finds it highest utility in the close-up confrontations that the Armed Forces refer to as close quarters battle, or CQB. Otherwise, it is more suited for support personnel for whom actual battle is not a part of the job description. Its USP is that it is compact, wieldy and easy to carry around.
It was developed by Colt Firearms under contract for the United States government. The manufacturing contract will expire in another three years, but in practical terms the exclusivity of this contract has not limited its production elsewhere. Assault rifles modeled on the M4 prototype are under extensive manufacture, which is a testimony to its widespread fame. It has virtually replaced the M16.
Special Operations units in the United States have adopted the advanced M4A1 for their purposes, and it is also a favored weapon in the war against terrorism. This is because of its compactness, which nevertheless does not subtract from its considerable firepower. Also, it lends itself admirably for customization – preferred and widely used accessories are night scopes, supporting bipods on which the rifle can be mounted, flash suppressors and laser-based targeting devices. A 40mm grenade launcher referred to as the M203 is also commonly used with the M4 as well as with the M19A1. The launcher is an extremely light breech-loading device that employs a pump action and fires one shot at a time.
A retractable telescoping butt stock that allows the M4 to be either a handheld weapon or a shoulder firing one. It shoots the same caliber rounds as the M4A1 and supports all the same accessories. Because of its aesthetic appeal and known efficiency, it is an often-depicted weapon in Hollywood films. Despite all the favorable reports on it, the M4 does seem to have certain drawbacks, though. Special Forces in Afghanistan were apparently unable to engage the enemy very effectively with their M4s, largely because of severe range constraints. This constraint is directly attributable to the M4’s shorter barrel. Another problem in actual combat seems to be the fact that the rifle’s bolt group and receiver are susceptible to faster-than-convenient heating. This causes the mechanism to stick at the worst possible moments.
The M4 is basically a M16 with a shorter barrel. It fires 5.56 x 45mm NATO ammunition weighs 2.54 kilograms when not loaded and is approximately 840mm long. It has a muzzle velocity of 921 m/sec and can shoot 700 to 1000 rounds per minute. It can accommodate magazines with holding capacities of either 20 or 30 rounds. Apart from the M4A1, other variants of the M4 are the M4A2 and the M4A3 (the latter features a detachable carry handle). The M4 is equipped with an improved rear sight, which field reports say have enhanced the shooter’s control over the rifle during sustained bursts of firing.
There is reason to believe that the US Armed Forced may replace both the M4 and the M16 with another model of assault rifle. Reportedly, the chosen replacements are coming from another group of small arms. Nothing concrete has been announced yet and the M4 is still very much in operational use. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Armed Forced have officially decided to adopt the M4 carbine for use and have placed an order for 14,000 units. The have gone on record as saying that the M4 is far more user friendly, option rich and innovative than the Steyrs that they are currently employing. The Malaysian Armed Forces are also enthusiastic about the grenade launcher option. Over 100,000 Steyrs will be replaced by M4s in graded stages.
Even today, the M4 weapon system is considered to be light years ahead of comparable weaponry. While certain sniper rifle systems still favor the 7.62 NATO cartridge, the M4 is well suited and a proven design. For the common infantryman, it is probably irreplaceable.