What are the differences between an M16a4, and an M4 carbine AR-15?

promethius9594

Okay, a lot of vague answers so far.

As stated, the AR-15 is the civilian version of either the M-16 or the M-4. There are different variations on the AR-15 platform. The major difference between the AR and the M platform is the firing pin assembly and the selector switch. The combination of these two mean that the AR-15 is only semi-automatic

The M-4 is a carbine version of the M-16 rifle. As has been mentioned, the overall length is shorter. This is due to several factors: 1) the buttstock is collapsable to allow the shortest length possible for use indoors. 2) the barrel length is reduced, again to use in close confines or indoors. This reduces the accuracy but decreases the human reaction time. 3) the length of the handguard is reduced. Consumate with reducing the length of the barrel, the size of the hand guard on the front has been reduced for weight and size restrictions, creating a lighter and faster weapon (though less effective at range).

It should be noted, however, that the upper and lower receiver are identical, as well as all the assemblies in those portions.

In essense, they're the same weapon with different peripherals for different missions

gigreg13f

Both are shoulder fired, magazine fed, air cooled, gas powered, semi automatic assault rifles.

basicly the M4/ar-15 models are smaller and in my opinion better. Also the M16a4 and M4 have the 3 round burst option ontop of being semi auto

Mike

The AR-15 is the civilian equivalent to the M-16 and can only fire in semi-auto mode unless modified, which then makes it illegal to possess without a special license.

The difference between a M-16 and M4 is over all length. the M4 is supremely better in urban environments with a collapsible stock and shorter overall length.

kennith w

These answers are misleading, and in some cases, reversed.

The M16 is the Military adaptation of the civilian rifle, the AR-15. Before there was an M16, there was an AR-15.

The M16 and the AR-15 are alike in external fittings only. The actions of the two rifles are ENTIRELY different. The action of a firearm is defined as any moving part.

The M16 is always at least a select-fire weapon, meaning it always at least has the ability to fire multiple rounds with a single depression of the trigger, as well as being able to fire a single round with the flip of a switch.

The AR-15 (civilian legal model, anyway) is always a semi-automatic firearm, meaning the only thing is does is eject the brass and load the next cartridge for you, just like any other civilian firearm. It can only ever fire a single round with a single depression of the trigger.

On to legality. You cannot have an M16, as an M16 is only manufactured for the military, and doesn't become an M16 until the military has it, since M16 is the military nomenclature for the rifle. These are destroyed when the military is finished with them.

You CAN have various types of AR 15 rifles normally designed for law enforcement practices, that may or may not feature select fire functionality. There is no license. There are a heck of a lot of things to go through, a special tax, fingerprints, pictures, permission of uncle sam on a case-by-case basis, a very long wait, and the permission of your local law enforcement, but no special license. You can get one, but it is a pain in the tail, and it isn't all that useful anyway.

So, that is cleared up for everyone now. And one last bit. AR doesn't mean assault rifle. It is short for Armalite, the company that first fielded the design. And for the record, it is not a high powered rifle, but rather a weak rifle that is chambered for a cartridge developed to knock things about the size of a rat off of farms. Very small, very wimpy. Yes, the military knows it, no, they don't like it either.

The difference between the M4 and the M16 is barrel length, the gas system length, the handguard length, and the buttstock. They are essentially the same firearm, and many of their parts and major assemblies are entirely interchangeable.

The AR 15s people buy in general are not assault rifles. For something to be an assault rifle, it has to feature select fire functionality. In order to buy a firearm with select fire functionality, you have to do all the things I mentioned earlier. An AR 15 cannot be modified to make it select fire. The entire action has to be changed, and you have to go through those same hoops to ever hope to get the action you need.

firefightere210

the m-4 is a carbine which means its a smaller version of another weapon being the m-16. the two weapons are pretty much the same.the only difference is the length and buttstock. also the m-16 is accurate for a point target up to 600m while the m-4 is only accurate up to 500m.

Tucker Bucker

The M16 is spring loaded and the AR is air.

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