Mission:
Deters and repels adversaries with accurate, lethal and direct fire out to 500 meters.
Description:
The M4A1 is a gas-operated, air-cooled, shoulder-fired weapon that can be fired either in fully automatic or semi-automatic. It is a fully automatic variant of the M4 carbine – a shorter and lighter variant of the M16. The M4 Carbine went into service in 1994 to replace the M16 in certain roles. In 2011, the Army began converting M4 carbines to the M4A1 as a part of the Product Improvement Program. The M4A1 utilizes a direct impingement gas operating system to fire in either semi-automatic or fully-automatic.
The weapon can be mounted with the M203A2 Grenade Launcher, M320A1 Grenade Launcher or the M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System. Soldiers can add or remove accessories such as the laser rangefinder, infrared illuminator/pointer and thermal sights as the mission dictates without the use of special tools.
Since its inception, the weapon system has undergone several modifications to improve the weapons adaptability, ergonomics, and modularity. The weapon can be mounted with the M203A2 Grenade Launcher, M320A1 Grenade Launcher or the M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System. Soldiers can add or remove accessories such as the laser rangefinder, infrared illuminator/pointer and thermal sights as the mission dictates without the use of special tools.
Specifications:
- Caliber: 5.56mm
- Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
- M4A1 Weight: 7.62 pounds (with sling and loaded magazine)
- Length: 29.75 inches (buttstock closed), 33 inches (buttstock open)
- Barrel length: 14.5 inches
- Range: 500 meters