M4 Carbine
Colt's Manufacturing Company · Carbine · In Production · 1994
Also known as: Carbine, 5.56mm, M4, Colt Model 920
Overview
The M4 Carbine is a semi-automatic carbine chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by Colt's Manufacturing Company since 1994. Featuring a 30-round magazine capacity, this carbine offers generous firepower for duty use and home defense.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2880 g (101.6 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3320 g (117.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 838 mm (32.99") |
| Folded Length | 756 mm (29.76") |
| Barrel Length | 368 mm (14.49") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Direct Impingement |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 34 N (7.6 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 905 m/s (2969 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1640 J (1210 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3600 m (3937 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 825 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Hard Anodized |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as 5.56mm NATO, 5.56x45mm, .223 Remington
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Burst 3
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Half Cock Notch
- Features: Collapsible Stock, Select Fire, Accessory Rail, Chrome Lined Barrel, Chrome Lined Chamber, Rotating Bolt, Flat Top Receiver, Picatinny Rail
Variants
- M4A1 Carbine — Full Automatic
- Mk 18 Mod 0 — Short Barrel
- Mk 18 Mod 1 — Short Barrel
- CQBR — Close Quarters
- M4 SOPMOD — Special Operations
Service history
Operators
- United States Armed Forces · adopted 1994 · as M4
- United States Special Operations Command · adopted 1994 · as M4
- Australian Defence Force · as M4
- Canadian Armed Forces · as C8
- British Special Forces · as M4
- Israel Defense Forces · adopted 2001 · as M4
- Polish Armed Forces · as M4
- Italian Armed Forces · as M4
Conflicts
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
- War on Terror (2001-present)
- Syrian Civil War (2011-present)
Production
Estimated total produced: 500,000 · Production years: 1994-present
M4/M4A1 combined production; manufactured by Colt, FN America, and Remington Defense. Over 300,000 M4s converted to M4A1 standard since 2011.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Eugene Stoner
Notes
The M4 differs from the M4A1 primarily in its fire control group - the M4 has 3-round burst (S-1-3) while the M4A1 has full-automatic (S-1-F). Initially, only special operations units received M4A1s, while conventional forces used the burst-fire M4. Starting in 2011, the U.S. Army began converting M4s to M4A1 standard under the Product Improvement Program, with 300,000 units upgraded. The 101st Airborne Division began fielding newly built M4A1s in 2012. The weapon features a flattop receiver with Picatinny rail for mounting optics and accessories. Chrome-lined barrel and chamber provide enhanced durability. Production is now shared among multiple manufacturers including FN America, Colt, and Remington Defense.
Background
The M4 was initially issued only to special operations units and soldiers who didn't need a full-sized rifle-aircrew, tankers, and officers. It wasn't until the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan proved the value of its compact size in urban combat that the M4 became the standard-issue weapon for nearly all U.S. military personnel, replacing the full-length M16.