M4 Carbine

The M4 Carbine is an American assault rifle, in service since 1994. It has since become the standard issue rifle of the US Armed Forces.

Service History
The M4 was developed from the line of CAR-15-type carbines, based on the M16/M16A1, which were introduced during the Vietnam war and used by special forces. The M4 was based on the M16A2, and was introduced to replace it, along with handguns, for a variety of roles for which a full-sized rifle was not required, but for which a handgun might not be sufficient. It also replaced the remaining M3 Sub Machineguns used by Vehicle crews.

Combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan showed that the M4 was just as effective as the M16A2 in combat conditions, while also being lighter and more compact. This resulted in the M4 replacing the M16 in the US Army from the late 2000s, relegating the M16A2 to reserve and coast guard use.

From 2014, the Army has been upgrading it's M4 Carbines to M4A1 Standard. The M4A1, in service with Special Forces since 1994, primarily differs from the M4 in that has a fully-automatic mode in place of the M4's three-round burst mode.

The US Marine Corps maintained the M16A4 until late 2016, when it was replaced by the M4A1 and moved to support and training roles.

The M4/M4A1 is often fitted with a variety of accessories, including the Trijicon ACOG, M68 CCO, and Holographic sights. Other accessories include flashlights, AN/PEQ-5 lasers, M203 Grenade launchers and forward grips.

Variants
XM4 - Prototype.

M4 - Main production model.

M4A1 - Current issue. M4A1s are both newly made and converted M4s.

Mk.18 CQBR - Version with 10-inch barrel.



Users

 * United States of America
 * Ukraine - Special Forces.
 * Georgia
 * Israel
 * Czech Republic - M4A3, Special Forces.
 * Australia - Special Forces
 * New Zealand - Special Forces
 * Italy - Special Forces
 * Afghanistan
 * Iraq
 * Japan - Special Forces
 * Taiwan
 * United Kingdom - Special Forces
 * Turkey
 * Many others