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Soldier's rifles are not the most practical self-defense weapons in most cases, but they might do well enough in some of the rare rural incidents.

Then why does the US military use M4's for close quarters combat?

Then why does the US military use M4's for close quarters combat?

Tell us. Compromise between a 10-gauge shotgun and a battle rifle?

"Then why does the US military use M4's for close quarters combat?"

To rid soldiers of their pesky neighbors on the others side of a thin wall while shooting a burglar, of course. ;-) [Little irony there.]

But more sincerely,...

To kill/wound many enemy. The M4 is relatively good for exterminating buildings, if those buildings aren't made of wood and full of innocent civilians. It's a rifle that's cost-effective for production. It has little recoil, so it's great for use by smaller soldiers with little training time. IMO, it was probably great in Fallujah. Not so much, probably in high visibility areas of the mountains (winds, long ranges, etc.). Could also be detrimental in very small concrete rooms or on ships (lighter, slower hollow points maybe preferred).

For close quarters self-defense in a densely populated area, I'd prefer firing something fatter/slower for self-defense, but that's just me. ;-) With realistic considerations, an M-4 could do the job. One might have a look at some disintegrating varmint rounds for use in a home surrounded by nearby neighbors and maybe even try them on wood, gypsum, etc.

In a rural environment, just about anything with good pointing characteristics, enough accuracy for likely ranges of attack and at least enough penetration can work well, if neighbors are distant enough and positions of family members always known (to avoid accidentally hitting family through walls or whatever). "Pointing characteristics," because attacks are most likely to come close and after dark. Many "professionals" have made the error of neglecting close, fast, dark night range training. Most who aim in that environment will hit too low and slow.

Choice of weapon in a rural environment with no close neighbors, beyond being capable of enough penetration, depends on the defender and how much he or she wants to train in advance.

Round placement is an important consideration in a self-defense situation. There are many weapon choices, if the defender has been adequately trained to be calm enough (realism and many repetitions of exercises), accurate enough and to use cover well.

Structural building, positioning, fencing, lighting, cameras, planning for emergencies and other considerations are even more important in a rural setting over weapons training, IMO, but then I was a combat engineer (combat type). Good defenses don't have to go boom or be dangerous to family, friends or neighbors. Weapons training is a good idea, though, especially, for example, for healthy, strong minded parents whose teenagers have yearned to get acquainted with firearms after watching westerns or zombie movies.

A place built by a very considerate owner-builder can be both safe and quite off-putting to potential burglars and murderous home invaders--even in the hypothetical end-of-the-world situations often described during this odd time in US social politics.

No more excitement and adventure for me. I'm getting to the age where peace and quiet are appealing. ;-) I've spent up to about 20 hours in some fire rotations in the past and on other kinds of ranges--boring, noisy and smelly and ache-inducing. Reminds me of home sickness and lack of sleep. Also did police ranges and firearms sports before either. I even enjoy watching the plague-ridden prairie dogs take over now and haven't killed a one of 'em. Even my dog just watches them, as they form lines to steal his dog food. Maybe a younger person will be interested enough to wage war against those rodents for me.

Hmmm...close, dark and fast--maybe a spear with the extra feature of firing a bullet? How about a Mosin with fixed bayonet? And maybe a heavy duty shredder/chipper and small rendering plant? ;-)

Then why does the US military use M4's for close quarters combat?

Lowest bidder meeting minimum specs?

Then why does the US military use M4's for close quarters combat?

Lowest bidder meeting minimum specs?