M4 carbine

M4 carbine
Production Information
Manufacturer	Colt Defense LMT Bushmaster U.S. Ordnance Remington Arms Company THOR Global Defense Group SME Ordnance FN Herstal
Type	Assault rifle/carbine
Technical Information
Size	Length: 75.6 cm (stock retracted) 83.8 cm (stock extended)
Feed system	30-round detachable box magazine
Fire mode(s)	Select fire: Semi-automatic 3-round burst Fully automatic
Ammunition	5.56×45mm NATO
Operation	Gas operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	700-950 rounds/min
Range	500-600 m
Usage
Era(s)	Mid 20th-21st century
Counterpart(s)	M16
Affiliation	United States Army United States National Guard Project Stargazer

The M4 carbine is an American-made assault rifle chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. One of many variants of the venerable M16, it is lighter and more compact than the full-size weapon. The M4 carbine is in heavy use with the United States military and is currently replacing the M16 rifle in most United States Army and United States Marine Corps combat units.

History

After the adoption of the M16, it was then decided that a carbine variant was to be produced for close quarters operations. The first attempt at such a weapon was the CAR-15, however this early variant had a variety of different flaws. Since 1988, Colt has worked on a newer and more improved weapon. By the 1990s, the weapon known now as the M4 carbine was introduced. Several variants have been produced, capable of differing fire modes and with an assortment of barrel lengths.

Notable Users

The National Guardsmen dispatched to Gunnison were armed with M4A1s fitted with foregrips and various optics. Some also had M203 grenade launcher attached. Dallas Howard and Kelly O'Brien both took M4A1s from the armory aboard the Stryker armored fighting vehicle and used them during the confrontation with numerous Xenomorphs in the town's hospital.

Several soldiers guarding the Project Stargazer facility in which the Fugitive Predator was detained were armed with M4A1 carbines, and the weapon was also used by Stargazer mercenaries.

Loonie member Coyle carried an M4A1 fitted with a short-barrelled M203 grenade launcher during the confrontation with the Upgrade Predator near the Ark crash site. Following his death, Casey Brackett took his rifle.

Trivia

• Contrary to popular belief, the compact AR-15 variant used by Mike Harrigan in Predator 2 is not an M4 carbine — the M4 did not enter production until some 4 years after Predator 2 was released (though it had been in development since at least 1987), and did not start appearing in films until the late 1990s with 1997's Air Force One being its first known appearance. Harrigan's carbine is an as-yet unidentified Colt Commando variant.

Appearances

• Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
• The Predator

Gallery

A production still from Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem.