I think the M4 is the perfect carbine rifle ever made in human history.
1. It's very, very accurate.
2. Perfect size- not too long, not too short.
3. Perfect accessary adopting potential.
4. Low recoil, reletive to it's weight.
5. Very easy to custom make the functions (example- lighter trigger)
6. Very light weight compared to the rivals
7. Very suited for mass production.
8. Natural, easy aiming
9. More, more more.
And what do you think?
2008-02-22T23:29:00Z
Sure. Here is an update;
1. 82 /101 Airborne use M4 as their primary weapon.
2. Although M4 is not as accurate as the fullsize rifles, but it is still very accurate reletive to its size.
I have seen some photos that the U.S. Army uses M4 as the "Squad Sharpshooting weapon (or Designated Sharpshooter)" with a scope (ACOG?).
3. While AK47s are easier to make, it is not accurate to match the Western manufactured small arms (sight system is not good for long range aim, and it uses long-stroke gas system, which is not good for accurate fire while shooting multiple shots).
And... the magazine change is not simple. Although it depends one the users, the magazine change of AK47 takes more time than the M16 systems.
Also, the ammo used in AKs are not designed to shoot accurate. It's still based on the WW2 era tactics.
4. M4/16 has a room for "recoil buffer", that exclusively deals with the recoil (rare to the other guns).
5. Reliability; sacrifice for accuracy.
2008-02-22T23:44:04Z
I mean, using the direct gas system is good for accurate fire, and the reliability is sacrificed for that.
HK 416 solves the problem, but it has its own problems. The optics are placed too high. The gun is pretty expensive, and in theory, the accuracy in long range while taking multiple shots is still in doubt, because the short stroke gas system gives more internal-moving parts than the direct gas system.
6. M4/16 has bolt holder. It greatly saves time and if you are right handed, you can still aim the target while reloading.
7. AKs are no match for the M16 family's accessary adopting potential; which is highly beneficial in modern warfare (dot sights, flash lights, scopes, etc.)
Yes, as some say, the reliability is the problem with the M4/16. There isn't much we can do about it.
Thank you for your participation!
Anonymous2008-02-22T21:40:45Z
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all these compliments you heap on it more truely belong to be delivered to the AR-15, the entire family, regardless of barrel length.
Now, adding on a shorter barrel, that is something militaries ahve been doing forever.
as far as the M-4 specifically,
1. no, it is NOT very very accurate. 2. no, it is not perfect sized. It is too short to acheive good accuracy, it is too short to maintain enough velocity to have solid reliable stops at reasonable ranges. It is too long for effective room clearing and close quarter battles. (remember, the earlier ones like the colt commando were even shorter) it is an acceptable balance of long and short, but longer ones do some things better, and shorter ones do other things better 6. not true at all, there are many equally light competators in the field of 5.56 assault rifles and carbines 7. no, a stamped reciever with no need for plastic injection molding or CNC machinery is easier. Something like an AK can be manufactured in very simple factories in third world countries. The AR-15 demands better machinery and better factories and better trained workforce to churn it out.
3. true for all AR-15 platform weapons, and many others 4. true for all intermediate cartridge weapons 5. true of all AR-15 platforms, and many others 8. Yes, but most guns are. Wise choice of peep sight, but that is not exclusive to the AR-15.
It is a nice weapon, but it is far from the end-all-be-all.
Also, many of the features you heap praise upon are found in other weapons that predate the M-4, and are also found on later weapons. People find somethign that works, and incorporate it into the next design.
Finally, many of the praise you heap upon it exists because it is the primary weapon of a large military as well as popular with civilians, theirfore a market exists for accessories for it. We take off the handguard and put on one with weaver rails on the M-4, but we do the same thing to tactical-out the M-14, and people do the same thing on their AKs and shotguns and all sorts of other weapons. Everybody is going to weaver rail attachment systems, and everybody is redesigning parts of their weapon so stuff can be added on.
M4 suffers more reliability issues than the full length m16. That and the DI gas system increases wear on the parts. The 5.56NATO does well terminally, but has poor penetration. The 5.56NATO does very will damaging tissue, shreds like a meat grinder. Stopping power is a myth, no small arms have "stopping power". What counts is blood loss, and the m4 does that well. Although, not at longer ranges, the 5.56NATO round only fragments like it is intended up to about 100-120 yards, after that it is just an exceptionally accurate .22LR. Without fragmentation, it is worthless. A full length M16 can get fragmentation out to 150 yards consistently, and 200 yards on occasion.
I in no way think it is "the greatest". Maybe one of the greatest. In my opinion the M-16A4 outpasses it, having the rail system of the M-4, reliability of the M-16, the accuracy of the M-16, and the single, burst, and full auto on the rifle. I think the AK-47 is the all tim greatest though seeing the fire rate and dependabilty. only the accuracy is a downfall but it is still good too.
Is the M-4 the best carbine ever? That is simply a matter of opinion, Sweetie. Does it work for you? Then, yes. Personally I prefer something in 7.62x51 NATO for military/combat situations. For hunting I prefer a Browning BLR carbine in .308 Winchester (if I'm hunting with a carbine).
Well thats your opinion...... I like the M4 - its cool but definitely not my favorite gun.... I own a Rock River Arms and a couple of Bushmasters and they dont impress me. Most of the time I leave them home and shoot my Ruger Mini 14 and Ruger Mini 30 rifles..... I like them better. Save your breath explaining how the M4 is better. I have heard all the arguments and know the differences. Yes the M4 has finer points but still like stalking critters and blasting them with my Rugers..... I like the way they feel in my hands...... One of my friends has a M1 .30 caliber carbine and another pal has a couple of old Norinco AK47's..... They also own M4's and arent to thrilled with them - they prefer to shoot there crappy carbines........... Sometimes you dont have to have the best to have a good time....It all depends on what you like!