Colt M4

The Colt M4 Carbine is a proven combat selective fire weapon that has been a part of many successful missions. The gun is a gas-operated, air-cooled and magazine-fed utility weapon. Its performance over the past few years has empowered users with the complete all mission successfully. With its higher rate of fire the two M4 versions, Model R0977, and Colt Commando are the weapons chosen by the United States Defense and law enforcement agencies, along with the defense establishments of countries of across the world.

These guns designed and developed by The Colt Manufacturing Company, are based on the carbine versions of the M16. The company is has a special contract to produce the M4 family of weapons through 2009.

The M4 in many ways is similar to the M16A2 assault rifle, but much more compact. It has a length of 757 mm or 29.8 inches with stock retracted and 838 mm 33 inches with stock extended. On field, it is much easier to carry around with a weight of 3.0 kg or 6.6 pounds, with 30 rounds. Its relative lightness and smallness makes it an ideal weapon for close quarters combat, airborne operations and other special missions. A major advantage is that this .223 or 5.56 mm caliber gun with standard 5.56 x 45 mm NATO cartridges is easy to use. Thus, non-infantry troops such as vehicle crews, clerks and staff officers carry the gun. The Colt's M4 series of guns are selected frequently over smaller and less powerful sub-machine guns, simply because of their power and accuracy.

The United States Special Operations Command or USSOCOM has approved of the M4 series of weapons as the preferred firearm of the U.S. Army Special Forces. Elite American troops such as the Delta Force, U.S. Navy SEALs, U.S. Marine Corps' Radio Reconnaissance Platoons and other Force Reconnaissance companies use these weapons.

The M4 variations are very reliable counter-terrorist weapons and have been very useful in urban warfare. It is in the 'S-1-3" trigger group, that defines it is a safe, semi-automatic gun with a 3-round burst. Its variant the M4A1 is in the 'S-1-F" trigger group, which means it is a safe, semi-automatic and fully-automatic gun. The government standard models for M4 are the Colt Model 920 and Colt 921.

Both the M4 and M4A1 have a flattop NATO M1913-specification rail on top of the receiver. This is helpful in attaching optical sights and other aiming devices such as the ACOG or Trijicon TA11 and TA31 Advanced Combat Optical Gunsights and M68 or the Aimpoint M68 Close Combat Optics. These also have a detachable rail-mounted carrying handle.

A variation with thicker profile barrels, under the handguard are known as M4A1 Model 921HB weapons. The added barrel weight makes it more accurate, ensuring far better heat dissipation when used as a fully automatic weapon. Heavier buffers, known as the H2 with two tungsten weights and one steel weight as a part of the design add to its abilities.

Installed on these weapons is the SOPMOD or Special Operations Peculiar Modification Block I kit. The M4A1 guns in this category have a special RIS or Rail Interface System handguard, developed by Knight's Armament Company. These also have a shortened quick-detachable M203 grenade launcher and leaf sight, KAC sound suppressor, and a back-up rear sight.

The guns have a visible laser or infrared designator, ACOG, reflex sights, and a night vision sight, all configured for special operations units and their particular missions. A second-generation SOPMOD kit or SOPMOD II is being developed with advanced accessories.

Consistent feedback of the on field operations of the gun have reported few problems, which have been rectified. However, it is heartening to note that most users and experts are very satisfied with the gun.

The Colt M4 series of guns meets the new warfare strategies of rapid deployment, mobility and increased firepower. Essentially it is a gun that soldiers can use to 'get in and get out' quickly, a concept at very core of the gun's unique design.