M4 carbine
The M4 carbine is a type of carbine used in the military. A carbine is a shorter, lighter type of rifle. It was based on the M16 rifle.
| Carbine, 5.56 mm, M4 | |
|---|---|
 Colt M4 Carbine with ACOG Scope and a foregrip | |
| Type | Assault rifle Carbine |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1994–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | 1998 Kosovo war War in Afghanistan (2001–14) War in Iraq (2003–2011) 2006 Lebanon war Mexican Drug War Gaza War 2010 Rio de Janeiro Security Crisis Colombian Armed Conflict Operation Enduring Freedom 2008 Russo-Georgian war Syrian civil war Battle of Arsal 2013 Lahad Datu standoff |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1988–1994 |
| Manufacturer | See Manufacturers |
| Unit cost | $700[1] |
| Produced | 1994–present |
| Variants | M4A1, CQBR (Mk. 18) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6.36 lb (2.88 kg) empty 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) with 30 rounds |
| Length | 33 in (840 mm) (stock extended) 29.75 in (756 mm) (stock retracted) |
| Barrel length | 14.5 in (370 mm) |
| Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO |
| Caliber | 5.56 mm (.223 in) |
| Barrels | 1 |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt (Direct impingement) |
| Rate of fire | 700–950 round/min cyclic[2] |
| Muzzle velocity | 2,900 ft/s (880 m/s)[3] |
| Effective firing range | 500 m (550 yd)[4] |
| Feed system | 30-round box magazine or other STANAG magazines. Magazines with different capacities also available. |
| Sights | Iron sights or various optics |
The M4 is a gas-operated, shoulder-fired weapon. The cartridges are fed into the gun with a magazine, which is a rectangular box that holds the cartridges. It has a stock that can be extended or pushed in and a 14.5 in (370 mm) barrel to make it easier for soldiers to use the weapon in confined spaces. Like the other rifles in the M16 family, it fires the .223 caliber, or 5.56mm NATO round.
The M4 can be fired in two ways, either semi-automatic (which fires one bullet when the trigger is pulled) and three-round burst (which fires three bullets very quickly when the trigger is pulled). The M4A1 can fire fully automatic instead of three-round burst. The carbine can have an M203 grenade as well as the newer M320 grenade launcher mounted on it. The M4 can be fitted with many accessories, such as night vision devices, silencers, laser pointers, telescopic sights, bipods, a shotgun, and forward hand grips.
The United States Marine Corps has ordered its officers (up to the rank of lieutenant colonel) and staff non-commissioned officers to carry the M4 carbine instead of the M9 pistol. The M4 is also widely used by police officers.
Trademark issues
The plastic pistol was developed and produced for the United States government by Colt Firearms, which had an exclusive contract to produce the M4 family of weapons through 2009. Colt previously held a U.S. trademark on the term "M4".[5]
Other manufacturers offer M4-like firearms. Many manufacturers have production firearms that are essentially identical to a military M4, but with a 16" barrel. Civilian models are sometimes colloquially referred to as "M4gery",[6] a portmanteau word from "M4" and "forgery".
Colt said it held sole rights to the M4 name and design. Other manufacturers said that Colt was overstating its rights, and that "M4" was now a generic term for a shortened AR-15. On December 8, 2005, a District court judge ruled that "M4" was now a generic name, and that Colt's trademark should be revoked.[7]
M4 Carbine Media
SIG Sauer XM7, caliber 6.8×51mm (.277 in)
M4 with M68 Close Combat Optic and AN/PAQ-4
M4 with the newer, redesigned telescoping stock
SOPMOD (Special Operations Peculiar Modification) Block I
M4 MWS (Modular Weapon System) shown with various accessories including M203 grenade launcher, RIS foregrip, removable carry handle/rear sight assembly, AN/PAQ-4 laser system, M68 CCO reflex sight, and the AN/PVS-4 night vision optics
M4a1 standard with a (removable) carry handle
M4A1 lower receiver with a Mk 18 Close Quarter Battle Receiver upper. The barrel length is 10.3 in (260 mm)
References
- ↑ Curtis, Rob (2012-04-20). "U.S. Army places order for 24,000 M4A1 carbines with Remington". Militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-08-23.
- ↑ "Colt M4". COLT. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- ↑ "Colt Weapon Systems". 2011-06-16. Archived from the original on 2011-06-16. Retrieved 2011-12-17.
- ↑ "M4 5.56mm Carbine". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
- ↑ US Trademark serial number 76335060 registration number 2734001
- ↑ "m4gery". Urban Dictionary. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
- ↑ "OpenJurist synopsis of denial of Colt's appeal to 08 Dec 2005 ruling". Openjurist.org. Retrieved 2010-08-30.