Question about Army/Marines weapons.....?

Question

This may be a silly question but why do some soldiers or marines use m-16's and some use M4A1's is it by choice or rank/job?

Answer 1

by job or position and also by mtow whitch designates what weapons go to who

Answer 2

Not a silly question at all. There are countless factors that go into who carries what weapon - mission requirements, availability, and sometimes even personal preference being a few.

When I worked in the weapons shop of a rescue squadron a while back, our PJs could choose from M-16s, GUU-5/Ps (essentially same as the M-4), M-14s, M-60s, S&W M-15 revolvers (2 or 4 inch barrel), M-9 or M1911A1 pistols, and Remington 870 shotguns. Most infantry units don't have such an assortment in their armories but they often DO have at least a few variants of M-16s/M-4s.

Answer 3

The M4A1 is the carbine (IE short barrel) version of the M-16, generally if you can use one you can use the other. Last time I toted a rifle there were only a few M-4s around, so you only got one if you were assigned to an urban mission or getting in and out of your vehicle alot. The M-16 has a little bit higher muzzle velocity and therefore greater accuracy at range, but sometimes the longer barrel gets in the way. These days there are so many variations on the AR-15 system, its impossible to keep up with who has what, generally its based on mission requirements, with M-16A2 as the standard.

Answer 4

It really does depend on how much money the service has, and where they are on the pecking order for issue.

Good example was that during WWII, Marines stormed ashore beaches in the Pacific, particularly early in the war, with WWI era bolt action Springfield 1903s, while Army units were issued the newer M1 Garand.

There still aren't enough M4s for everyone, so units that are unlikely to see real fighting still have the older M16A2s, while Infantry and other "frontline" units carry M4s. However, some Marine units still don't have M4s because there aren't enough to issue (bottom of the chain)

Answer 5

It will be determined by the mission. The standard infantryman will carry the M16A2, but for urban combat, especially when clearing rooms house-to-house, a shorter weapon is preferable because it allows for greater mobility and quickness. In a case like that, they would carry either the M4 (the short, "carbine" version of the M16, other than the dimensions, it is identical in form and function to the M16) or a submachine gun such as the Heckler & Koch MP5.

Answer 6

Most active duty army units use m4's although there are still a bunch of 16's kicking around. I know a few old school guys who use the 16's by choice. Most guard units still use 16's along with the marines.

Answer 7

The M-16 is the standard issue rifle of the Marines. The M4A1's is used more for troops who are on the front line, and mainly used by grunts or those whose MOS requires that they become proficient in the use of this weapon.

Answer 8

For the AF it's by job. But in formation, the squad leader will not be carrying the 60. For obvious reasons, a lower ranking person would be carrying it.

Answer 9

Well they used to use M-16's, that standard issue for infantry, but the Marines can use M4's, M4A1 etc.

Playing SOCOM? :p

Answer 10

Its not by choice its what the unit needs or can afford. I was amazed in Iraq o find that marines had m16s and not m4s. It really changes from unit to unit and how badly they are needed.