Bushmaster M4 Type Carbine
| Bushmaster M4 Type Carbine | |
|---|---|
 Bushmaster M4A3 with magazines |
|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Over 60 nations[1] |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan (2001–present) War in Iraq (2003-2010) War in South Ossetia (2008) |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Bushmaster Firearms International |
| Variants | M4A2, M4A3, M4 Post-Ban |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2.82 kg (6.22 lb) empty |
| Length | 882.7 mm (34.75 in) (stock extended) |
| Barrel length | 406.4 mm (16 in) |
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| Cartridge | .223 Remington |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic (700–950 round/min for fully automatic model) |
| Feed system | Various STANAG Magazines. Standard with:
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| Sights | Adjustable front and rear iron sights |
The M4 Type Carbine is a firearm manufactured by Bushmaster Firearms International, modeled on the AR-15 platform.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The M4 Type Carbine is effectively a reproduction of the Colt M4 Carbine, but is usually only semi-automatic for legality within the U.S. civilian market. However, it can be ordered by military or law enforcement organizations with three-round burst or fully automatic capability.[2] The rifle accepts both .223 Remington and 5.56 x 45 mm NATO cartridges, and the barrel is hard chrome lined in both the bore and chamber. Unlike the current Colt M4 Carbine which features a 4-position telescopic stock, the Bushmaster has a 6-position. It is compatible with most standard AR-15 parts, and has the ability to accept all AR15/M16 type STANAG magazines. It is also one of many different AR-15 rifles Bushmaster manufactures which they have trademarked 'XM-15' rifles.[3]
Bushmaster has also developed a 6.8 mm Remington SPC and a 7.62 x 39mm version of the rifle, simply named the 6.8mm SPC Rifle, and the 7.62 x 39mm Carbine as well as a separate upper receiver kit that can be installed on any AR-15 type lower receiver.[4]
All variants of the rifle are available in either M4A2 and M4A3 configurations; the difference being the M4A3 has a removable carry handle allowing access to a Picatinny rail for mounting accessories. Similarly, the 6.8mm SPC Rifle is available as either the A2 or the A3.
The standard M4 Type Carbine features a permanently fixed 'Izzy' flash suppressor attached to a 14.5" barrel which brings the barrel to a total length of 16". Bushmaster also produces the Patrolman's Carbine variant which features the more common removable 'Bird Cage' flash suppressor, attached to a 16" barrel bringing the total barrel length to 17.5". Both of these comply with current U.S. federal law which states a minimum of a 16" inch barrel for a semi-automatic rifle. There is also a military M4 Type Carbine which comes with a 14.5" barrel and a removable 'Bird Cage' flash suppressor.[2] The 6.8mm SPC Rifle only comes with a 16" barrel and a removable 'Izzy' flash suppressor.[4]
An M4 Type Post-Ban Carbine was developed for the 1994 United States Federal Assault Weapons Ban requirements. Since the ban expired in 2004, this rifle has effectively been replaced by the M4A2 and M4A3. However, some states in the U.S. have kept these laws, so the rifle is still being produced.
[edit] Users
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The M4 carbine (or similar variants) is currently in service with military and police organizations in over 60 nations around the world.[1]
Czech Republic: The Bushmaster M4A3 is used by special forces units of the Czech Armed Forces. These rifles are usually seen with an M203 grenade launcher.[5] The 601st Special Forces Group is armed with the M4A3.[6]
Georgia [7]
New Zealand: In 2006, the Armed Offenders Squad of the New Zealand Police replaced the Remington Model 7 with the Bushmaster M4 as their standard issue rifle.[8]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Bushmaster around the world". Bushmaster Firearms International. 2007. http://www.bushmaster.com/community-military-index.asp. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
- ^ a b "Bushmaster military models - Bushmaster M4 A2/A3 Type Carbines". Bushmaster Firearms International. 2007. http://www.bushmaster.com/catalog_military_MCWA2F%2014M4.asp. Retrieved 2007-09-06.[dead link]
- ^ "Bushmaster User Manuals & Tech Sheets". Bushmaster Firearms International. 2007. http://www.bushmaster.com/manuals.asp. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
- ^ a b "Bushmaster 6.8mm SPC Rifle Tech Sheet PDF" (PDF). Bushmaster Firearms International. 2006-6. http://www.bushmaster.com/electronic-documents/TechSheets/XM15%20Model%20PDFs/68mm%20SPC%20Rifle%20&%20Upper.pdf. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
- ^ http://www.army.cz/assets/files/9334/zbrane_definit.pdf
- ^ http://www.601skss.cz/english/clickmap/m4_en.html
- ^ "Georgian Army". Georgian Army. http://geo-army.ge/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=9&lang=en. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
- ^ "Replacement due for police rifles". New Zealand Police. 2005-05-19. http://www.police.govt.nz/district/tasman/release/1923.html. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
[edit] External links
- Official Bushmaster Website
- Bushmaster M4 Type Carbine with Izzy Flash Suppressor
- Bushmaster M4 Type Carbine with Bird Cage Flash Suppressor (Patrolman's Carbine)
- Bushmaster 6.8mm SPC Rifle
- Bushmaster 7.62 x 39mm Rifle
- Bushmaster M4 Type Post-Ban Carbine. Developed for Federal Assault Weapons Ban requirements, but the ban has now expired.
- Bushmaster M4 Type Carbines brochure (includes M4A2 and M4A3)
- Bushmaster 6.8mm SPC Rifle brochure
- Bushmaster XM-15 rifle manual, includes M4 Type Carbine
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