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An American carbine based on the AR-15 platform. Burst fire trigger group. Very stable firing characteristics with a high rate of fire. Compared to the M4A1, it has slightly higher damage.
–In-game description


The M4 is an American Carbine. It is unlocked at rank 14, or it can be purchased with credits.

History[]

In 1984, U.S firearms producers Colt began working on a new carbine design based on the M16A2 assault rifle at the behest of the U.S military. Its design has its roots in Colt's earlier CAR-15 series of weapons dating back to the 1960s, most notably the Colt Commando variants. Designated as the XM4, the weapon has 80% of part commonality with the M16A2 and like its parent design, fires a three-round burst. It also features a 14.5-inch barrel, allowing the attachment of a bayonet and M203 grenade launcher as well as improving the weapon's ballistics and reduces muzzle flash. In 1994, the U.S. military officially accepted the M4 into service, with the weapon first seeing its first operational conflict in Kosovo in 1999. It has seen major usage in the 'War On Terror', including combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The M4 largely replaced the M16A2 in frontline service by U.S troops, although the M16A4 was adopted as the standard-issue rifle of the U.S. Marine Corps. However, M4s were issued to troops in positions where the full-length M16 was too bulky for such operations, such as vehicle operators.[1] The M4 also largely replaced submachine guns and selected sidearms in service, as it provided more stopping power and penetration than either aforementioned weapons. In 2009, the US Army took ownership of the M4 design and started seeking an improved version. The new M4A1 began production in 2012, manufactured by Colt and FN Herstal. In December 2017, the Marine Corps revealed a decision to equip every Marine in an infantry squad with the M27, ultimately replacing the M4 in that part of the service.

In-Game[]

General Information[]

The M4 is a fast-firing carbine, having a very high rate of fire (RoF) of 950 RPM—the fastest in-class (tied with the X95R). This is fired in three-round bursts, being the only burst-fire carbine in-game. The weapon does not have any burst delay, meaning a user can fire at 950 RPM without stoppages, however, this is harder for less experienced users.

The M4 also sports high close-range damage, dealing a three-shot kill (3SK) up close, or a 2SK with headshots. At longer ranges, damage is quite poor, being a 5SK at the end of its damage drop-off. Range is average, with its damage beginning to drop-off at 50 studs and finishing at 100 studs.

Muzzle velocity is below average for a carbine, at 2200 studs per second. Due to the high close-range damage and high RoF, the M4 has the fastest minimum time to kill (TTK) in-class.

The M4 is also very mobile, as it is essentially a shorter M16A4. The player can use this mobility to their advantage, allowing the user to avoid potential conflict, or escape from a dire situation.

The weapon is effective up to a moderate range. As well as having a very fast RoF and recoil, it also has one of the faster reloads in the game, clocking in at 1.7 seconds for a tactical reload and 2.2 seconds for a full reload.

Usage & Tactics[]

The M4 is a very effective offensive weapon. Its low recoil, very high rate of fire and damage create a near-perfect carbine. The semi-auto has its place, but the M4 is more ideal for close to medium range engagements. At longer ranges, the M4 falters compared to the rest of its class, with a 5SK.

With its 2SK headshot and 3SK body at close range, the M4 is capable of a 1 burst kill like the M16A4. While the M4's 3SK range is shorter than the M16A4's, its fire rate is superior to that of its assault rifle counterpart and has good hipfire performance.

The gun lacks full-auto, which is often a downside for many users, as the majority are not often accustomed to not having a full-automatic fire mode.

However, newer players can get used to the burst mode, while a skilled player can adapt to most gameplay styles. The M4 cannot compete with a sniper rifle or long-distance oriented rifles at long ranges, so the best tactic is to flank around the opposing user. If the player dislikes burst mode and prefers full-auto instead, the M4A1 is a viable option in this case.

The M4 is highly customizable. There are plenty of good combinations of attachments for any play style. Users can spend time fine-tuning the M4 to their playstyle, as it is extremely versatile and well-rounded.

Conclusion[]

The M4, in some ways, surpasses the M4A1. The M4 possesses both a higher maximum damage and higher RoF than its fully-automatic variant, overall having a much better TTK in CQC. For any skilled or adaptable player, this weapon will offer a direct upgrade to the M4A1.

However, at longer distances, the M4 is less accurate compared to the M4A1, and continuously spraying the M4 will hinder accuracy at range further. For average players, the M4 is also more difficult to use due to being a burst fire weapon instead of a fully-automatic one. If a user wants a weapon that can spray bullets at enemies at longer ranges, the M4A1 is a better choice. However, when mastered, the M4 outclasses the M4A1 in almost every way. This compensates for users who have spent time mastering the burst firemode.

Pros & Cons[]

Pros:

  • High damage—two-shot headshot in CQC.
  • Very low minimum TTK.
  • Low recoil.
  • Good hipfire.
  • High RoF.
  • Good mobility speed.
  • Common ammunition type.
  • Fast reload time.

Cons:

  • Burst-fire weapon—overall harder to use.
  • Fast damage drop.
  • Short maximum range.
  • High muzzle flash.
  • Lower than average muzzle velocity.
  • Has a small burst delay in between bursts; limits fire rate potential.

Trivia[]

  • Before version 0.12.7, the M4 had three firing modes: Auto, 3x Burst and Semi.
    • As of 0.12.5, the M4 got a model update and had the automatic firemode removed, for a more accurate representation of the real-life counterpart.
      • Its fully-automatic counterpart, the M4A1, was later added in as a rank 14 carbine (now 0). The new M4A1 had the same exact stats as the M4 before 0.12.7.
  • The M4 was often seen featured in some of the thumbnails of the game.
  • While the M4 has a built-in Flash Hider, there is no difference in the muzzle flash unless you apply the attachment. This also applies to the M4A1, M16A3, and M16A4.
  • Before the July 4th 2017 update, this was the default Carbine unlocked as a starter weapon. This is currently held by the M4A1, whilst the M4 is currently unlocked at Rank 14, due to how easy it was to use compared to the M4, owing to the mixed playerbase reception of which most people are not accustomed to burst firing feature.
  • Update 4.13.0 added a burst delay to the M4 and the M16A4, resulting in a waiting period between bursts, along with the position of the burst being "stored."
    • This has been reverted as of Update 5.2.0.
  • Before the July 1st, 2020 Canada update, the M16 and M4 series kept their front iron sight posts when a sight was equipped. Up until a recent update equipping optic used to get rid of the front sight until this change was reverted.

Reference[]

Weaponry
Primary Weapons

Assault Rifles

AK12 - AN-94 - AS VAL - SCAR-L - AUG A1 - M16A4 - G36
M16A1 - M16A3 - AUG A2 - K2 - FAMAS F1 - AK47 - AUG A3 - L85A2
HK416 - AK74 - AKM - AK103 - TAR-21 - StG-44 - M231
Type 88 - C7A2 - G11K2 - Type 20

Personal Defense Weapons

MP5K - UMP45 - G36C - MP7 - MAC10 - P90 - Colt MARS - MP5
Colt SMG 633 - L2A3 - MP5SD - MP10 - MP5/10 - Uzi - M3A1
AUG A3 Para - K7 - AKS74U - PPSh-41 - FAL Para Shorty
PP-19 Bizon - Kriss Vector - MP40 - X95 SMG - Tommy Gun
RAMA 1130 - BWC-9

Light Machine Guns

Colt LMG - M60 - AUG HBAR - MG36 - RPK12 - L86 LSW - RPK
HK21 - HAMR IAR - RPK74 - MG3KWS - Stoner 96 - ChainSAW - MG42 - M1918A2

Sniper Rifles

Intervention - Model 700 - Dragunov SVU - AWS - BFG 50
AWM - TRG-42 - Mosin Nagant - K14 - Dragunov SVDS - Hecate II
M107 - Steyr Scout - WA2000 - NTW-20 - FT300 - M1903

Carbines

M4A1 - G36K - M4 - L22 - SCAR PDW - AKU12 - Groza-1
AK12C - Honey Badger - K1A - SR-3M - Groza-4 - MC51SD
FAL 50.63 Para - 1858 Carbine - AK105 - Jury - KAC SRR
Gyrojet Carbine - X95R - HK51B - C8A2 - OTs-126 - Can Cannon

Designated Marksman Rifles

MK11 - SKS - SL-8 - VSS Vintorez - MSG90 - Beowulf TCR
SA58 SPR - SCAR SSR - M21

Battle Rifles

Beowulf ECR - SCAR-H - AK12BR - G3A3 - AG-3 - HK417
Henry 45-70 - FAL 50.00 - M14 - HCAR

Shotguns

KSG-12 - Model 870 - DBV12 - KS-23M - Saiga-12
Stevens DB - AA-12 - SPAS-12 - DT11 - E-Gun - USAS-12

Secondary Weapons Pistols

M9 - M17 - G17 - M1911 - Desert Eagle L5 - GI M1 - Hardballer
Izhevsk PB - M45A1 - KG-99 - Five Seven - ZIP 22 - Makarov PM - AM III Grizzly - GB-22 - Desert Eagle XIX - Gyrojet Mark I - GSP - G21 - G23
G40 - G50 - M2011 - AF2011-A1 - Alien

Machine Pistols

G18 - 93R - TEC-9 - Micro Uzi - Škorpion vz. 61 - MP1911
Arm Pistol - ASMI - PP-2000

Revolvers

MP412 REX - Mateba 6 - 1858 New Army - Redhawk 44
Judge - Executioner

Other

Serbu Shotgun - SFG 50 - M79 Thumper - Sawed Off
Saiga-12U - Obrez - Coilgun - SASS 308

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