M4? I'll choose the M16A2 instead, try reading the reviews about the M4.

Where did you read that the M4 is lousy compared to the M16A2? The M4 is compact and doesn't sacrifice punch.

While adequate as a Personal Defense Weapon for the non-infantry troops (vehicle crews, clerks, staff officers etc), M4A1 is, by some accounts, less than ideal for the Special Operations troops, at least in its present state. The idea of the complete re-arming of the US Army with the M4 as a money-saving measure, also is somewhat dubious.

" M-16 rifles replaced after malfunctions
BAGHDAD -- After nearly 40 years of battlefield service around the globe, the M-16 might be on its way out as the standard Army assault rifle because of flaws highlighted during the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

U.S. officers in Iraq say the M-16A2 -- the latest incarnation of the 5.56 mm firearm -- is quietly being phased out of front-line service because it has proven too bulky for use inside the Humvees and armored vehicles that have emerged as the principal mode of conducting patrols since the end of major fighting May 1.

Instead of the M-16, which also is prone to jamming in Iraq's dusty environment, M-4 carbines are now widely issued to U.S. troops.

The M-4 is essentially a shortened M-16A2, with a clipped barrel, partially retractable stock and a trigger mechanism modified to fire full-auto instead of three-shots bursts. It was first introduced as a personal defense weapon for clerks, drivers and other non-combat troops.

"Then it was adopted by the Special Forces and Rangers, mainly because of its shorter length," said Col. Kurt Fuller, a battalion commander in Iraq and an authority on firearms.

Fuller said studies showed that most of the combat in Iraq has been in urban environments and that 95 percent of all engagements have occurred at ranges shorter than 100 yards, where the M-4, at just over 30 inches long, works best.

Still, experience has shown the carbines also have deficiencies. The cut-down barrel results in lower bullet velocities, decreasing its range. It also tends to rapidly overheat and the firing system, which works under greater pressures created by the gases of detonating ammunition, puts more stress on moving parts, hurting its reliability.

Consequently, the M-4 is an unlikely candidate for the rearming of the U.S. Army. It is now viewed as an interim solution until the introduction of a more advanced design known as the Objective Individual Combat Weapon, or OICW.

There is no date set for the entry into service of the OICW, but officers in Iraq say they expect its arrival sooner than previously expected because of the problems with the M-16 and the M-4.

"Iraq is the final nail in the coffin for the M-16," said a commander who asked not to be identified."

Like the seats facing the wrong way on the HMMWV, the M16A2 proved too long and cumbersome for the style of movement at our disposal. Watching the U.S. Army carrying the easily portable carbines gave most of us envy for the ease of movement by those carrying M4 carbines. Additionally, there was also the overwhelming feeling of inadequacy felt by those armed with the dinky little 9mm pistol. A carbine to replace or augment the 9mm was definitely needed by all.

The Infantry Operational Advisory Group (IOAG) killed the M4 program at the recommendation of the Marine Gunners and the battalion that tested the M4. The M4 failed due to an effort to force a specific weapon down our throat. The idea of a short weapon was not the problem. The Marine Corps opted instead to purchase the 40” long M16A4 with all of it’s modularity, but will retain the cumbersome length inherent to the M16A2. Complaints of short sight radius on carbines eliminating long-range fires are overcome with the incoming rifle combat optics. The current bullet won’t perform well in shorter barrels due to velocity decreases, but we can just as easily switch bullets, and may desire to do so regardless since the current bullet is still considered to have inadequate stopping power by many. In the interim, a simple telescoping stock would suffice to shorten some of the length of the M16A4 to a more manageable length.

Well GI, no review can beat a testimony from a retired-2-months-ago-after-20-yrs.-of-service-US marine or an active US Marine(either way they both have used the M4). Plus he was in the expeditionary force so he has already used the gun in different environments.

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Warning: To other Armorama members, when you start a thread containing stuff like "Weapons recommends" or "Weapons wishlist" or "East meets West weapon fest", be aware! Master GI and I will attack that thread & shake it off its topic! MUWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #:-) #:-) #:-) #:-) #:-)