What is an M-4
M4/M4A1 5.56mm Carbine
The M4/M4A1 5.56mm Carbine assault rifle is a lightweight, gas operated, air cooled, magazine fed, selective rate, shoulder fired weapon with a collapsible stock. A shortened variant of the M16A2 rifle, the M4 provides the individual soldier operating in close quarters the capability to engage targets at extended range with accurate, lethal fire. The M4 Carbine achieves over 80% commonality with the M16A2 Rifle and will replace all M3 .45 caliber submachine guns and selected M9 pistols and M16 rifle series.
The M4A1 is a compact lightweight weapon that is a modified M4 carbine. The M4A1 (SOF Variant) carbine difrrers from the basic M4 in the following features; full automatic firing mode, a flat top rail for mounting day/night sights (such as the Trijicon TA01NSN ACOG 4x32 scope and the AN/TVS-5 Crew served weapon sight) and a detachable carrying handle. The M4A1 fires the same ammunition as the M16A2 and the M4 carbine. It also mounts all accessories common to the M16A2 and M4 to include the 40 mm grenade launcher. SOF units will have the ability to adapt one versatile weapon to meet several missions rather than having many different weapons that are currently deployed.