M4A1 Carbine



The Colt M4 Carbine is a short barreled, telescoping stock variant of the M16A2 rifle, based in part off of the CAR-15 series used by United States' forces during the Vietnam conflict. The M4A1 Carbine fires the same 5.56x45mm round as the M16, but the A1 version is capable of firing on full automatic as opposed to the M16's three round burst. The standard M4, however, has the same firing modes as the M16. The M4 was designed to be a defensive weapon for personnel whose role may require a powerful defensive weapon, but where a full-sized rifle may be impractical. It is also used by various Special Forces for its compact nature and full-rifle power cartridge, making it ideal for Close Quarters Battle (CQB). To this end, a variety of modifications are offered for the M4 known as Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD), which includes forward hand grips, grenade launchers, suppressors, EOTech Holographic sights and ACOG optics. The US Army is considering replacing the M16A2/A4 rifles with the M4 Carbine as standard issue because of its improved versatility on a modern battlefield, especially in urban areas.

An M4A1 with a M203 grenade launcher.

In Game
In the single-player game the regular M4A1 (with M68 Close Combat Optic) is a frequent Marine drop but is also one of the optional weapons at the beginning of Hunted, and is the starting weapon in Game Over. The "M4A1 Grenadier", which uses an EOTech Holographic Weapons Sight (HWS) and M203 grenade launcher, is the starting weapon in The Bog, War Pig and Shock and Awe. The M4A1 SOPMOD uses the multiplayer Red Dot Sight, M203 and suppressor; it is the starting weapon in the majority of Soap's missions.