M4; the best made carbine in firearms history?

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.

Aside from that the M4 is a fine weapon.

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).

H

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!

I have never shot a carbine before. I always thought they looked kinda goofy. Now I am to try my first one. A Hi Point 9mm Carbine.

HORSE MANURE!!!

I don't doubt that the M-4 is an improvement over the M-16, but it is still chambered for the 5.56 NATO cartridge. Therefore it is nothing but a freaking poodle-shooter!

No amount of accessories takes the place of marksmanship, nor does it make up for the lack of stopping power of the 5.56 NATO cartridge.

Doc

m-4. nice gun. I guess one can only make that statement if they have shot every carbine in history. That's alot of shooting there, toughguy. You're the only person in history to have shot every carbine in history. Seriously though, just because you're fond of something doesn't make it the best thing in human history. You gotta get out alittle more.

as for popularity, the ak-47 has won that. customization, m-4. calibre+accuracy, m-14. but yes, the m-4 is a great gun

I think you've already made up your mind.

I think you're so in love with the M4 that nothing else will do.

I think you don't want a truthful answer.

I think you just want someone to agree with you.

I think you might have stock in the company.

I think you have to look at everything out there before making such a bold claim.

http://world.guns.ru/assault/as40-e.htm