Why is the M4 considered to be more powerful than the M16?

Question

Is it because it has a way cool stock, lol
or is it really due to the gas chamber, rifling, or what?

Answer 1

The M4 is not more powerful than the M16. It is actually less powerful than the M16. It does fire identical ammunition but, it has a shorter barrel. This causes a loss in velocity making the terminal ballistics LESS EFFECTIVE. It does look cooler, but it's primary advantage is maneuverability in tight quarters, such as buildings and vehicles. As a rule of thumb, for every inch of barrel you lose, you also lose about 100 feet per second in velocity. The m4 has a 14.5" barrel and the m16 has a 20" barrel. This means that you will lose about 350 fps of muzzle velocity with the m4 as compared to the m16. This doesn't really matter when you are across a room from Haji, but it can make a difference out past about 300 yards. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Its not more powerful. It has a shorter effective range due to the shorter barrel. The reason the military is starting to use the M4 is due to the amount of close quarter combatives that are used in operations today. The M16 is too long for close quarter operations, the M4 is great due to the collapsible stock.

Answer 3

Both gas operated rifles, both 5.56mm bullets. M16 are Semi/Burst only. M4 are Fully automatic/Burst/Semi. The M4 is not neccesarily more powerful, if that was the case, our men over in Iraq would be using more M4 rifles than M16 rifles.

Answer 4

Basically same rifles, just different sizes and names. M4 is like the compact, close quarters warfare sized version of the M16. I had the M16 before I deployed and got the M4 when we flew out, fresh out the box. So much lighter and easier to place next to you in your HMMWV, unlike the musket they call the M16!

Answer 5

Where have you seen the M4 Considered More Powerful?

More Handy, than the full-length Rifle maybe, but simple physics says a shorter Barrel means less Velocity for the same cartridge.

Answer 6

M-4 Carbine

Additional Media Mission
Deter, and if necessary, compel adversaries by enabling individuals and small units to engage targets with accurate, lethal, direct fire.

Entered Army Service
1997

Description and Specifications
A compact version of the M16A2 rifle, with a collapsible stock, a flat-top upper receiver accessory rail and a detachable handle/rear aperture site assembly. The M4 enables a soldier operating in close quarters to engage targets at extended range with accurate, lethal fire. It achieves more than 85 percent commonality with the M16A2 rifle and will replace all .45 caliber M3 submachine guns, selected M9 pistols, and M16 series rifles.

Caliber: 5.56 mm
Weight: 7.5 lbs (loaded weight with sling & one magazine)
Max. Effective Range: 600 m (area target) 500 m (point target)
Manufacturer
Colt Manufacturing (Hartford, CT)

M-16 Rifle

Additional Media Mission
Deter and, if necessary, compel adversaries by enabling individuals and small units to engage targets with accurate, lethal, direct fire.

Entered Army Service
1964

Description and Specifications
A lightweight, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle designed for either automatic or semi-automatic fire through use of a selector lever. There are four variants - the M-16A1/A2/A3/A4. The M-16A2 incorporates improvements in iron sight, pistol grip, stock and overall combat effectiveness.

Accuracy is enhanced by incorporating an improved muzzle compensator, three-round burst control, and a heavier barrel; and by using the heavier NATO-standard ammunition, which is also fired by the squad automatic weapon. The M-16A3 is identical to the M-16A2 but has a removable carrying handle that is mounted on a Picatinny Rail (for better mounting of optics) and is without burst control. The M-16A4 is identical to the M-16A2 except for the removable carrying handle and Picatinny Rail.

Caliber: 5.56 mm
Weight: 8.8 lbs (includes sling & one loaded magazine)
Range: 800 meters for an area target / 550 meters for a point target
Manufacturer
Colt Manufacturing and Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing Inc.

Answer 7

To my knowledge, it is not considered any more powerful. It is chambered for the same round,5.56 NATO. The M4 is just a more compact package, better for use in urban environments. It is a bit newer variation that has been fine tuned, but no difference in power.

Answer 8

Of course it's quite impossible, but if you surf over to the "Hunting" section, you'll also see people post that the 308 does something or another that's superior to 30-06. It's generally best to nod politely and not confuse these folks with facts. It's like Mark Twain's admonition against arguing with a mule: it does you no good, and it annoys the mule.

Answer 9

I don't know that it is more powerful. It's best feature is that it is shorter and lighter than the M16, and therefore better suited to close quarters combat, such as urban warfare.

Answer 10

M4 is maneuverable and meant for close combat situations.