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M4/M4A1 5.56mm Rifle - SOPMOD M4

The M4 is a lightweight, gas operated, air cooled, magazine fed, selective rate, shoulder fired weapon with a collapsible stock. A shortened variant of the M16A2 rifle, the M4 provides the individual soldier operating in close quarters the capability to engage targets at extended range with accurate, lethal fire. The M4 Carbine achieves over 80% commonality with the M16A2 Rifle and will replace all M3 .45 caliber submachine guns and selected M9 pistols and M16 rifle series.

M4/M4A1 Weapon Options

The M4 can be fitted with the M68 sight for close quarters combat. The M68 sight is a reflex (non-telescopic) sight. It uses a red aiming reference (collimated dot) and is designaed for the "two eyes open" method of sighting. The "two eyes open" method allows for quick acquisition of the target with a high hit probability. The M68 sight is designed for use with the M16 rifle series and M4 carbine series.

Here is a picture of the other popular mount, the Trijicon TA01NSN ACOG 4x32 scope equipped w/M4A1 carbine mount, Ghost ring sights, & scope cover

The M4 can also make use of the M203A1. The M203A1 grenade launcher is a single-shot weapon designed for use with the M4 carbine series and fires a 40mm grenade. It has a leaf sight and a quadrant sight.

The M7 bayonet-knife is used as a bayonet on the M16 rifle series, the M4 carbine and as a hand weapon. The M9 multipurpose bayonet system is used as a bayonet on the M16 rifle series, on the M4 carbine series, as a hand weapon, as a general field and utility knife as well as a wire cutter together with its scabbard, and as a saw.

(Above information from US Army ACALA)

Special Operations Forces (SOF) require the capability to adapt basic issue weapons to meet several mission needs. The SOPMODM-4A1 Accessory Kit provides the M4A1 Carbine with the flexibility and versatility to meet SOF mission-specific requirements. Items contained within the SOPMODM-4A1 Accessory Kit increase the weapons lethality through fire control and target acquisition both day and night during Close Quarter Battle (CQB) and to ranges of 500 meters.

Official US Army Information

Armor piercing cartridges for small arms weapon systems type classified (compatible with the M4/M4A1). Here is a pic of the new cartridges - if you look closely, you will see the effects of the 5.56mm AP round on a section of test armor.

Web Pages and Articles

Special Forces Modular M16 M4A1 Carbine

Posted by triggerfifty on October 24, 1999
This is an M4A1 setup for target designation. There is a Ground Commander's Laser Point attached to the right side rail of the RIS. The night sight is a Litton M995 Night Ranger. The controller can "mark" a target with the GCLP that he sees with the M995. A pre-arranged set of signals will cause the sniper teams to react to targets being marked with the GCLP.

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