American assault rifle rifle M4: photos and characteristics of weapons

The M4 rifle is a unique weapon createdAmerican engineers. The base for the future rifle was the famous M16A2, which appeared in many world conflicts. From the very beginning, it was calculated as the main weapon for the crews of combat vehicles and mechanized units.

The experience gained from the time of Vietnam showed thatFor the army, a new rifle is needed, which will replace the M16A2 and will be more effective in various combat conditions. The new weapon should have all the tactical and technical characteristics of its predecessor.

The history of the M4: its predecessors

The US Command decided to developA new series of smaller versions of the famous M16. For this case took the firm "Colt", then and now known for its revolvers. In the mid-1960s, it stepped up its activities, and based on the AP-15 and M16, the Colt Commando was manufactured and introduced into production, which had a significantly shortened barrel and, for greater convenience, a telescopic butt. It was also replaced the forearm and dual brake-compensator, which stabilized the shooting. Rifles "Commando" in many ways were not inferior to the "elder sister", but won in practicality and mobility. During the development, other carbines were also released, which immediately entered service with some parts of the United States and Great Britain.

Rebirth of carbines

The Vietnam War is over, and interest in newdevelopment immediately disappeared. Only in the early 1990s, they remembered these carbines. Trying to get rid of the already outdated Beretta M9 pistols, M3A1 and MP5 submachine guns, the US command decided to rearm some parts with a new carbine, ready to replace the old weapon.

As a result, in 1994 a new one (M4) was released.assault rifle "Colt model 720". This sample was more effective than its predecessors, and its use is more diverse. The M4 was equipped with a NATO caliber 5.56, a special caliber for the North Atlantic Alliance.

Spread M4

Although originally a rifle and was intended toweapons of motorized infantry units and crews of combat vehicles, this did not stop the spread of weapons. The United States Special Operations Command issued a decree providing these weapons with all special forces. The M4 rifle was so liked by the military that at the moment there is a tendency for the whole American army to switch to these weapons. Due to its size, it has become more acceptable for the army, the main part of which is now composed of mechanized troops.

The main differences of M4 from M16A2

If you visually compare M4 and M16A2, you can seethat they are like two sisters. The M4, in truth, is a smaller and lighter version of the M16A2. The barrel of this weapon is much shorter, which makes it easier, and maneuverability with it increases.

The telescopic butt has four positions. True, it will be difficult to fully fold it, since part of the mechanism for rolling back the bolt action frame of the rifle is located in the butt, which significantly prevents folding the butt.

Some parts of the device are different from M16A2. For example, the receiver has some recesses that are directly absent from the "elder sister." There are also a number of some differences that prove that the American M4 rifle is a unique weapon. It has high tactical and technical characteristics.

M4 rifle is equipped with a powerful stembrake compensator. Due to a significant reduction in the length of the barrel, the accuracy of the weapon dropped, as the expanding gases threw the barrel to the ground at departure. This problem was solved by a more powerful stem brake-compensator, which was not previously installed on the M16 version A2. The discovery increased the accuracy ratio of this weapon.

Similarity with M16

M16 and M4 (rifle), photos of which are often justconfused because of their real similarity, constructively from the very beginning of production were based on the base of other rifles (AP-10 and AP-15), which explains such external similarity. The work of some parts and mechanisms of two rifles is identical, therefore these parts are interchangeable, which makes repair cheaper and easier. Those who used the M16 will not be difficult to switch to a newer and improved model. Even the order of assembly and disassembly "Colt model 720" and M16 are the same. So, the US Army did not feel too much difficulty due to the transition to a new weapon.

The similarity of the stores of tworifles. The M4 rifle can also have a magazine with twenty cartridges and thirty, depending on the configuration (it can be civil and combat). Also, a civilian store can be used in special operations, raising the speed and maneuverability of a soldier during the operation itself. There is no differentiation between the AK-74 civilian and combat store, which is certainly a minus for it.

Rifle M4 equipment

In addition to the basic configuration, the carbine can havegrenade launcher. The M203 is a 40 mm grenade launcher designed to destroy enemy soldiers. Such a weapon, if necessary, can destroy equipment and lightly armored targets (a cumulative fragmentation grenade can pierce armor plates up to 50 millimeters thick). In the arsenal of the M203, there are special lighting grenades, smoke, fragmentation, “jumping” (after hitting the ground, the grenade jumps and explodes at a height of one and a half meters), tear gas grenades, signal grenades.

The carbine equipment includes a specialtarget designator, which increases the effectiveness of aimed shooting. It is installed on the Picatini plate, right next to the sight. This device is a whole module that also has a flashlight for illumination.

Also, the M4 is equipped with an M9 bayonet, a silencer and additional optical sights.

New weapon - M4A1

In 1996, according to the state order plan forThe US Army has developed a new model M4A1 rifle, which was developed on the basis of the M16 version A3. The main difference is the fully automatic fire, because in the old rifle it was cut off by three shots. A new sight and a removable carrying handle were also installed, which ensured maximum comfort on long forced marches. Also on the configuration on the M4A1 can hang other devices, designed for certain conditions.

The kit may include fourASOG telescopic sight, diopter sight, Kalimatorny (with a red dot), lasers, night vision goggles, flashlights and lights, a modified under-barrel grenade launcher, additional handle and quick-release silencer. It can also be equipped with a bayonet. Depending on the conditions of the operation, this kit may vary in its own way.