M4 Carbine, 5.56mm, NSN 1005-01-231-0973,
LIN R97234 (In Common
Usage)
M4A1 Carbine,
5.56mm, NSN 1005-01-382-0953 (Full-Automatic
version, more rarely
used)
The M4/M4A1 5.56mm
Carbine is a
lightweight, gas
operated, air cooled,
magazine fed, selective
rate, shoulder fired
weapon with a
collapsible stock.
Equipped with a shorter
barrel, collapsible
stock and detachable
carrying handle (with a
built-in accessory rail)
it provides soldiers
operating in close
quarters with improved
handling and the
capability to rapidly
and accurately engage
targets at extended
range, day or night. 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-series Carbine
achieves over 80%
commonality with the
M16A2 Rifle and replaces
all M3 .45 caliber
submachine guns, and
selected M9 pistols and
M16 rifles.
Laser Borelight System (LBS); used for field-zeroing
mechanical and optical sights
RFI (Rapid Fielding
Initiative) Accessories (Major End Items). Fielded routinely
to units through Force Modernization program, or through RFI bulk-issue
during prep for deployment.
1005-01-452-3527
M4 Rail Adapter System (allows installation of accessories,
such as a PEQ-2 or Surefire Tac-Light on front handguard)
RFI (Rapid Fielding
Initiative) Accessories (Non
Major End Items). Fielded routinely
to units through Force Modernization program, or through RFI bulk-issue
during prep for deployment.
NSN
Description
1005-01-541-1772
Rifle Bipod; Also called Forward Grip
Bipod. Not typically installed on M4 due to space constraints, but
it is probably physically possible
1005-01-449-6306; 1005-01-484-8000
Backup Iron Sight. Installed in
conjunction with ACOG or other optical sights; provides redundant means
for aiming if optical sights fail or become detached from the weapon.
Tactical Sling (not the RFI version),
made by Blackhawk! and distributed
through the Army supply system. Carries weapon across chest,
muzzle oriented downward, "at the ready"
Multiple magazine holder; New AAL
Item, may be included in RFI in the future
1005-01-541-2476
Forward rail bracket (also called CQB
kit mini-rail); New AAL Item, may be included in RFI in the future
1005-00-921-5004
Standard 30-round magazine
1005-01-361-8308
M23 Blank Firing Adapter / Attachment (yellow in color,
for M4 rifle only; red BFA, M15A2, NSN 1005-00-118-6192, is for the M16
rifle only)
5340-00-880-7666
Cap, Protective, Dust. Keeps dust and dirt from
entering the muzzle during normal operations, and can be left in place
until the weapon is fired, but must be removed periodically to prevent
rust build-up.
3rd Party Accessories
-- COTS (Commercial, Off-the-Shelf)
Company
Description
Various
Tactical Sling. Carries weapon across chest,
muzzle oriented downward, "at the ready"
Related End Items ("Also See...")
NSN
Description
1005-00-073-9421
M16A1, Rifle, 5.56mm
(Phased out in 1980s and 1990s; in service for two decades; fully
automatic)
