The M4 rifle is a unique weapon created by American engineers. The base for the future rifle was the famous M16A2, which was lit up in many world conflicts. From the very beginning, it was calculated as the main weapon for the crews of military vehicles and mechanized units.
Experience gained since Vietnam has shown that the army needs a new rifle that will replace the M16A2 and will be more effective in various combat conditions. The new weapon was supposed to have all the tactical and technical characteristics of its predecessor.
The story of the creation of the M4: its predecessors
The US command decided to develop a new series of smaller versions of the famous M16. The Colt company, then and now known for its revolvers, took up this business. In the mid-1960s, it intensified its activities, and on the basis of the AP-15 and M16 the Colt Commando was manufactured and introduced into production, which had a significantly shortened barrel and, for greater convenience, a telescopic butt. The forend and the muzzle brake compensator, which stabilized the firing, were also replaced. Rifles “Commando” in many ways were not inferior to the “elder sister,” but they won in practicality and mobility. During the development, other carbines were also released, which immediately entered service with parts of the United States and Great Britain.
The revival of carbines
The war in Vietnam ended, and interest in new developments immediately disappeared. Only in the early 1990s did they remember these carbines. Trying to get rid of the already obsolete Beretta M9 pistols, M3A1 and MP5 submachine guns , the US command decided to rearm some units with a new carbine ready to replace old weapons.
As a result of this, in 1994 a new (M4) Colt Model 720 assault rifle was released. This sample was more effective than its predecessors, and its application is more diverse. The M4 was a 5.56 NATO caliber, a special caliber for the North Atlantic Alliance.
Distribution M4
Although the rifle was originally intended to equip motorized infantry units and crews of combat vehicles, this did not stop the spread of weapons. The US Special Operations Command issued a decree providing these weapons to all special forces. The military liked the M4 rifle so much that at the moment there is a tendency for the entire army of America to switch to this weapon. Due to its size, it has become more acceptable for the army, the bulk of which is now mechanized troops.
The main differences between M4 and M16A2
If you visually compare M4 and M16A2, you can see that they are like two sisters. The M4 machine, in truth, is a smaller and lighter version of the M16A2. The barrel of this weapon is much shorter, which makes it easier, and maneuverability with it increases.
The telescopic butt has four positions. True, it will be difficult to completely fold it, since part of the mechanism for rolling back the bolt shield of the rifle is located in the butt, which significantly prevents folding the butt.
Some parts of the device are different from M16A2. For example, the receiver has some recesses that are not directly available to the “older sister”. There are also a number of certain differences that prove that the American M4 rifle is a unique weapon. It has high performance characteristics.
The M4 rifle is equipped with a powerful barrel brake-compensator. Due to a significant reduction in barrel length, the accuracy of the weapon fell, as expanding gases threw the barrel anywhere at departure. This problem was solved by a more powerful stem brake compensator, which was not previously installed on the M16 version A2. The find increased the accuracy coefficient of this weapon.
Similarity to M16
M16 and M4 (rifle), the photos of which are often simply confused due to their real similarity, were structurally based on the basis of other rifles (AR-10 and AR-15) from the very beginning of production, which explains this external similarity. The operation of some parts and mechanisms of the two rifles is identical, so these parts are interchangeable, which makes repair cheaper and easier. Those who used the M16, it will not be difficult to switch to a newer and improved model. Even the assembly and disassembly procedures of the Colt 720 model and M16 are the same. So the US Army did not feel too much difficulty due to the transition to new weapons.
Very useful was the similarity of the stores of the two rifles. The M4 rifle can also have a magazine with twenty rounds and thirty, depending on the configuration (it can be civilian and military). Also, a civilian store can be used in special operations, increasing the speed and maneuverability of a soldier during the operation itself. AK-74 does not have differentiation for the civilian and combat store, which is, of course, a minus for it.
Equipment rifle M4
In addition to the basic configuration, the carbine can have a grenade launcher. The M203 is a 40mm grenade launcher designed to destroy enemy soldiers. Such weapons, if necessary, can destroy equipment and lightly armored targets (cumulative-fragmentation grenade can penetrate armor plates up to 50 millimeters thick). In the arsenal of the M203 there are special lighting grenades, smoke, fragmentation, "jumping" (after hitting the ground the grenade jumps and explodes at a height of one and a half meters), grenades with tear gas, and signal grenades.
The carabiner’s equipment includes a special designator, which increases the efficiency of aimed shooting. It is installed on the Picatinny rail, right next to the sight. This device is a whole module that also has a flashlight for illumination.
Also, the M4 is equipped with an M9 bayonet, a silencer and additional optical sights.
New weapon - M4A1
In 1996, according to the government procurement plan, a new M4A1 model was developed for the US Army, a rifle that was developed on the basis of the M16 version A3. The main difference is a fully automatic fire, because in the old rifle it was with a cut-off of three shots. A new sight and a removable carrying handle were also installed, which ensured maximum comfort on long march throws. Also, on a complete set, other devices designed for certain conditions can be hung on the M4A1.
The kit may include an ASOG four-time optical sight , a diopter sight, a caliber (with a red dot), lasers, night vision devices, flashlights and backlights, a modified grenade launcher, an extra handle and a quick-release muffler. It can also be equipped with a bayonet knife. Depending on the conditions of the operation, this kit may vary in its own way.