2006-08-19 21:54:04 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
The M4 Carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 made by ArmaLite. The weapon is a shorter and lighter version of the M16A2 assault rifle, achieving 80% parts commonality with the M16A2. The M4 has selective fire options including semi-automatic and three-round burst (like the M16A2), while the M4A1 has a "full auto" option in place of the three-round burst. The M4A1 is sometimes also found with a heavier barrel to withstand heat from sustained fully-automatic fire.
2006-08-19 22:01:05 · answer #1 · answered by shortstoperic7_2000 2 · 6⤊ 0⤋
In a roundabout way, Yes. The M4 carbine traces it's lineage back to the M16 variant, the XM-177. This was a variant that had the shorter barrel and handguards, and also the collapseable stock. This variant was introduced later in the Vietnam war and has evolved since then, as has its larger brother. The full-size modern variant is the M16A2. The M4 is designated as such because of the specific barrel contour. The M4 barrel has a unique contour and also a step notched in it in front of the front sight-gas block assembly, which accomodates a mount for the M203 grenade launcher. Also, the M4 has larger diameter handguards for a more robust hand grip. The M4 also has the A2 rear adjustable sight of its larger brother and the case deflecting bulge on its right side. There are many civilian models of the M4 with this letter-number designation, though all don't hold 100% to all of the aforementioned upgrades. In more recent times, the M4 in the civilian market means the 14-16" barrelled carbine with a telescoping stock. So yes, the M4 is an updated VARIANT of the M16. Hope I sorted through it for you without much confusion.
2006-08-22 12:42:05 · answer #2 · answered by OkRifleman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The M4 isn't really updated or improved from the M16, rather it is a modifyed version of the M16 better suited for different conditions. Such as, close quarter combat, and small city fighting.
2006-08-25 02:07:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
M4 is a shorter vertion of the M16 mainly used for engagements in closed quarters, because they're easier to manipulate/handle.
2006-08-21 13:25:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the M4 is the military version of the M16
2006-08-25 19:37:49 · answer #5 · answered by cherokeeindian 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
shortstoperic7_2000 is right on the money!!! The main advantage I see is when you are doing a 10Kilometer partol looking for weapons caches in Iraq in 120degree + heat the light er the stuff you have to carry the better, the lighter weight still is very accurate and give you long gun reach with a smaller lighter weapon.
2006-08-20 06:13:07 · answer #6 · answered by nikonjedi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the M4 is the barrel design. It is tappered infront of the front sight so a gernade launcher can be attached.
the rest of the rifle can be in just about any configuration.
2006-08-21 19:43:22 · answer #7 · answered by Nancy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 2 are more like cousins.
2006-08-20 05:02:47 · answer #8 · answered by billybetters2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it has a shorter barrel and a collapseable stock and full auto fire. It's very different.
2006-08-20 14:18:43 · answer #9 · answered by Black Sabbath 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes uhhhhhh
2006-08-20 15:45:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋