Marine Mike Presents Games and Ammo: M4 Carbine

[Canid117]

However it takes only a few seconds to clear the stoppages from the M4 while the major jams that the XM8 suffers that were listed previously requires field stripping. A process which takes significantly longer than the process for clearing a malfunction on an M4. (I believe it is referred to as SPORTS by the Army and other services.)

I think we should bring back the M1 Garand (or at least the Carbine version). Now, I know its antiquated and it's semi-auto, but it was one of the most reliable rifles ever created, so... my defense rests on that, plus the fact it chambered more powerful rounds, and it just looks so friggin' awesome.

I believe what you're referring to with the unjamming of the M4 is "Tap Rack Bang"? If so, then it is significantly shorter: literally about 2-5 seconds in total (depending on how quickly you move).

The XM8 was a great weapon in theory, but in practice I think it suffered from having so many removable parts.

Personally, my choice for current/next-gen weaponry in the US Infantry would have to be inherit the L85A2. It's reliable and it's a carbine, so it has similar range to the M4 but is more compact, and it chambers the same round (and the same magazine) as the M4 (so no new ammunition would need to be produced).

Too heavy, too bulky, too much over-penetration for urban work, too little rounds per clip and aesthetics are the most laughably awful reason to choose a firearm that exists. There is good reason the Garand has stayed retired. I do not know from personal experience but I have heard that the L85 is garbage compared to most modern rifles. Why go to all the trouble to replace your main weapon when it does the job it is supposed to do as well or better than any other option?

 

[almostgold]

Nice review. I just got from a Marine Reserve center in Lexington, KY for some weapons training with our M9s, M4s, and M16s (I leave for Quantico for OCS this May). What level of customization on your weapon will the Corps let you have? The Gunny went over some options the Picatinny Rail system allows you, and I think mentioned he uses a flashlight, crush-switch broomstick handle, and a single point elastic sling.

 

[domble]

Great review man - informed, interesting and relevant.

Don't mind telling you though, guns scare the ever-loving shit outta' me. Don't get me wrong, they're great when they're on the other end of a joypad, but I've never had the urge to own one (not that I could if I did; guns are a bit of a no-no here).

You didn't mention how long it takes to modify them if the situation arose? You might have fielded it in the comments, but I ain't sifting through three pages to find out lol