American assault rifle rifle M4: photos and characteristics of weapons

The M4 rifle is a unique weapon created by American engineers. The base for the future rifle was the famous M16A2, which lit up in many world conflicts. From the very beginning, it was calculated as the main weapon for the crews of combat vehicles and mechanized units.

The experience gained since Vietnam has shown that the army needs a new rifle that will replace the M16A2 and will be more effective in different combat conditions. The new weapon should have all the tactical and technical characteristics of its predecessor.

History of the M4: its predecessors

The US command has decided to develop a new series of reduced versions of the famous M16. For this business undertook the firm "Colt", then and now known for its revolvers. In the mid-1960s, it intensified its activities, and on the basis of AR-15 and M16, the Colt Commando was manufactured and put into production, which had a significantly shortened barrel and, for greater convenience, a telescopic butt. Also, the fore and the muzzle brake-compensator, which stabilized the shooting, were replaced. Rifles "Commando" on many characteristics did not concede "to the senior sister", but won on practicality and mobility. In the course of development, other carbines were also produced, immediately received by some parts of the United States and Great Britain.

Revival of carbines

The war in Vietnam ended, and interest in new developments immediately disappeared. Only in the early 1990s they remembered these carbines. Trying to get rid of the already obsolete pistols "Beretta M9", submachine guns M3A1 and MP5, the US command decided to rearm some parts with a new carbine, ready to replace the old weapons.

As a result, in 1994, a new (M4) assault rifle "Colt Model 720". This sample was more effective than its predecessors, and its application is more diverse. The M4 had a 5.56 NATO caliber, a special caliber for the North Atlantic alliance.

The spread of M4

Although initially the rifle was intended for arming the motorized infantry units and crews of combat vehicles, this did not stop the proliferation of weapons. The US Special Operations Command issued a decree on the provision of all special-purpose units with this weapon. The M4 rifle was so popular with the military that at the moment there is a tendency for the entire American army to transfer to these weapons. Due to its size, it became more acceptable for the army, the bulk of which now constitute 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, in truth, is a smaller and lighter version of the M16A2. The trunk 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 the retraction of the shutter frame of the rifle is located in the butt, which significantly hinders the folding of the butt.

Some parts of the device differ from M16A2. For example, the receiver has some depressions that are not directly in the "older sister". Also, there are a number of certain differences that prove that the American M4 rifle is a unique weapon. It has high tactical and technical characteristics.

The M4 rifle is equipped with a powerful stem brake-compensator. Because of the significant decrease in the length of the barrel, the accuracy of the weapon fell, since the expanding gases threw the barrel out at the time of departure. This problem was solved by a more powerful stem brake-compensator, which had not previously been installed on M16 version A2. The find increased the accuracy factor of this weapon.

Similarity with M16

M16 and M4 (rifles), photos of which are often simply confused because of their real similarity, were constructively from the very beginning of production based on other rifles (AP-10 and AP-15), which explains such an outward similarity. The operation of some parts and mechanisms of the two rifles is identical, therefore these parts are interchangeable, which makes the repair cheaper and simpler. The one who used the M16, it will not be difficult to switch to a newer and more advanced model. Even the order of assembly and disassembly of the "Colt Model 720" and M16 is 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 shops of two rifles. The M4 rifle can also have a store with twenty cartridges and thirty, depending on the configuration (it can be civil and combat). Also, a civilian store can be used in special operations, raising the speed and maneuverability of a soldier during the operation itself. The AK-74 has no differentiation into civil and combat stores, which is, of course, a minus for him.

Equipping the M4 rifle

In addition to the basic equipment, the carbine can have a grenade launcher. M203 is a 40mm underbarrel grenade launcher that is designed to destroy enemy soldiers. Such weapons can, if necessary, destroy equipment and lightly armored targets (cumulative fragmentation grenades can penetrate armored plates up to 50 millimeters thick). In the arsenal M203 there are special lighting grenades, smoke, fragmentation, "jumping" (after striking the ground the grenade jumps and at an altitude of 1.5 meters explodes), grenades with tear gas, signal grenades.

The carbine is equipped with a special designator, which improves the effectiveness of aimed shooting. It is installed on the Pikatini bar, right next to the sight. This device is a whole module that also has a flashlight for lighting.

Also, the M4 is equipped with a bayonet knife M9, a silencer and additional optical sights.

New weapons - M4A1

In 1996, according to the state orders for the US Army, a new model M4A1, a rifle, was developed, which was developed on the basis of M16 version A3. The main difference is fully automatic fire, because in the old rifle it was cut off with three shots. Also, a new sight and a replaceable handle for carrying were installed, which ensured maximum comfort on long march-throws. Also, other devices designed for certain conditions can be hung on the M4A1.

The kit can include a four-fold optical sight ASOG, a dioptric sight, calimator (with a red dot), lasers, night vision devices, flashlights and lights, a modified grenade launcher, an additional handle and a quick-dismounting silencer. It can also be equipped with a bayonet knife. Depending on the conditions of the operation performed, this kit may vary in its own way.