M-4 (Colt model 727)
M-16A4 Rifle With RIS, Handgrip & Aimport M68 Scope
Posted on 10/23/2002 2:39:06 PM PDT by SlickWillard
The Marine Corps chose a new infantry rifle, and it’s not the short assault rifle with which the Army equipped soldiers in the Afghan campaigns.
Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va., announced last week it would buy 65,463 of the M-16A4 service rifles for infantry Marines between now and 2007.
The new rifle resembles the M-16A2 service rifle in use now but allows for add-on parts as emerging technology warrants.
After head-to-head comparison tests, the Marines rejected the M-4, the shorter rifle the Army issued to soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.
“The ground board chose the M-16A4 over the M-4 because it had a lesser frequency of malfunctions,” said Marine Corps officials from Headquarters Marine Corps in a prepared statement. “The initial units will be fielded to Ground Combat Elements.”
The M-4 received sharp criticism from soldiers who fought the Taliban in Afghanistan earlier this year in Operation Anaconda and Mountain Lion. Some soldiers complained bullets used in the rifle lacked stopping power, according to a survey Army officials conducted. They also noted that heat shields in the hand guards often rattled, prompting soldiers to remove them, only to burn their hands from overheating hand guards.
Marine support units will continue to use the M-16A2 rifles.
The old rifles were nearing the end of their life cycles and needed replacement, according to the Marine Corps statement. But Corps officials also wanted to be able to integrate attachments Marines could need for different missions, such as flashlights, laser sights and a rail system for interchangeable sights and scopes.
In a head-to-head performance comparison between the M-16A4 and the M-4, a shorter carbine version with a collapsible stock, Marine officials found few similarities.
“Both weapons have flat-top receivers with the 1913 Military Standard rails for mounting optics, as well as forward rail hand guards,” said Marine Capt. John Douglas, project officer for Marine Corps Systems Command.
The new rifle can handle standard rifle sights plus night vision options and scopes. The rifle also can be fitted with a vertical forward handgrip.
But that’s where comparisons end. The M-4 is 10 inches shorter and one pound lighter than the current M-16A2.
Marine officials found some deficiencies in the M-4. In tests and surveys conducted last July at Camp Lejeune, N.C., most Marines preferred the M-4 over the longer M-16A4 for most combat situations, but the M-4 had more malfunctions, they said. The comparisons were based on Infantry Training Standards and reviewed by Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity.
“Though the number was very low for each weapon, the M-4 was found to have three times the number of weapons malfunctions as the M-16A4,” the statement read. There was no significant difference in accuracy between the two rifles.
Several Marine units already use the M-4, including Force Reconnaissance platoons, Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security teams and Military Police Special Response teams. Those units will continue to use the M-4, and the Marines still may purchase more in the future after corrections are made to reduce malfunctions, said the Marine Corps statement.
When is it available for sale to the militia?
/john
As soon as they figure out how to demilitarize that M-203, 40mm grenade launcher (shown under the M-4), I imagine.
EBUCK
You troublemaker, you.
Doesn't matter, as it will be years before the reserve units see the new gear. Which is fine with me.
/john
EBUCK
EBUCK
I own an original Colt Commando (a/k/a the "XM-177" or "shorty") and also a Fabrique Nationale M4 (and yes, I own them both legally.) While I appreciate the quality and workmanship from the old Colt days - FN is currently making a better weapon.
Believe me, I would rather see the Colt's Firearms' quality from back in the old days, along with the "Rampant Colt" logo, in and on the new weapons. There just seems to be something wrong with the idea of FN making a rifle made famous by Colt.
Just my opinion: While I appreciate the fact that the Corp wants to maintain its own image, I don't think the M16A4 is the best choice. Yes, I know every Marine is a rifleman, but the advantages of the M4 carbine's smaller size would seem to outweigh the often claimed accuracy benefit (not mentioned, and actually denied in the article) of the extra 5.5 inches of barrel and the full stock on the M16A4. I find the statement of more malfunctions with the M4 carbine completely unbelievable. I have personally taught classes and run numerous courses (still do... it's a living) on the M4 and have not found them to be any less reliable than the M16. What I have found to be the case is this: The full size M16 in any variation (A1, A2, A3, or A4) is rather cumbersome in M.O.U.T., especially when trying to move in and out of buildings by means other than a door. The M4 and the Commando are real sweethearts in a close quarters situation and anytime you need to "get small" in order to move in and out of an area.
Okay - I coming down off the soapbox now...
Stay armed,
Raven6
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