Five Facts Video Feature – The Powerful M4 Carbine Assault Rifle

The M4 Carbine is the primary infantry weapon of the United States Armed Forces. It replaces the M16 Assault Rifle, which is longer and heavier. The M4 is air-cooled and gas-operated. It was introduced into service in 1994 and is used by many armed forces in many countries.

The M4 is magazine-fed and fires a 5.56×45mm cartridge. It can fire three rounds in a semi-automatic burst, and a variant, the M41 can operate fully automatically as well. An M203 grenade launcher can be mounted on the M4.

M4 MWS (Modular Weapon System) shown with various accessories including M203 grenade launcher, RIS foregrip, removable carry handle/rear sight assembly, AN/PEQ-4 laser system, M68 CCO reflex sight, and the AN/PVS-4 night vision optics
M4 MWS (Modular Weapon System) shown with various accessories including M203 grenade launcher, RIS foregrip, removable carry handle/rear sight assembly, AN/PEQ-4 laser system, M68 CCO reflex sight, and the AN/PVS-4 night vision optics

The M4 Carbine has several advantages over the M16. It is small, light, accurate and can be used in close combat. The disadvantages are that it is not completely reliable and requires a lot of maintenance. If it is not constantly maintained, it will malfunction. It does not cope well in sandy environments, such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Even so, 94 percent of soldiers rated the M4 highly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56l5_c-1czo

Joris Nieuwint

Joris Nieuwint is a battlefield guide for the Operation Market Garden area. His primary focus is on the Allied operations from September 17th, 1944 onwards. Having lived in the Market Garden area for 25 years, he has been studying the events for nearly as long. He has a deep understanding of the history and a passion for sharing the stories of the men who are no longer with us.

@joris1944 facebook.com/joris.nieuwint