RPD

NVA soldier operating the RPD light machine gun

The RPD was developed for the Russian military in 1944 for use as a squad automatic weapon (SAW), and entered service during the 1950s. It can be fired from a prone position with the built-in bipod, or from the hip with the aid of a sling. It is fed by refillable non-disintegrating links. The RPDM is a product-improved and modernized version which was introduced in the mid 1950s. In China, the RPD was manufactured with minor internal modifications and was named Type 56 LMG and was even exported to Sri Lanka.

The Type 56 LMG saw widespread use in the hands of VPA and NLF forces in the Vietnam war. The RPD was replaced by Soviet Army in the late 1960s by the RPK, much to many infantry soldiers dismay, though was still used in the reserves for some years. Today the RPD is still widely used by many guerrilla organizations around the world, notably the Tamil Tigers.

Type: Light Machine Gun Place of Origin: Soviet Union In Service: 1945-present Used By: USSR, Member of the Warsaw Pact, Vietnam Wars: Vietnam War, Afghanistan, various Middle East conflicts Designed: 1944 Produced: 1944-1960s Weight: 7.5 kg (16.5 lb) empty 8.9 kg (19.6 lb) w/ 100-rd drum Length: 1,037 mm Barrel length: 521 mm Cartridge: 7.62x39 mm M43 Calibre: 7.62 mm Action: Gas-operated Rate of Fire: 650 round/min Muzzle Velocity: 735 m/s Feed System: 100-round drum

Anzio 20MM

http://www.anzioironworks.com/20MM-TAKE-DOWN-RIFLE.htm

20MM Take-Down Rifle

 

Training ammo $10 each <s>Tracer ammo $15 each</s> SOLD OUT + shipping (minimum order required), Call for AP pricing - only limited quantities remaining!

Includes:

Fitted pelican case

50" high gain 20mm barrel

1919 pintle mount or bipod mount

Duracoat finish

Options Now Available:

Custom Match grade barrels with 1 MOA capability up to 49" long

Custom weighted rifles from 39 pounds to 100+ pounds

Call for details.

AKS - 74U

By Soviet TTT (тактико-технические требования) order number 008407 from 19.17.1973 a design competition (codenamed "Modern" - Модерн) was started for the adoption of a fully automatic carbine, no doubt inspired by observing the US experience in Vietnam with theXM177. The Soviet planners also drew from the unsolicited design AO-46 built in 1969 by Peter Andreevich Tkachev, which weighed only 1.9 kg. The TTT specifications required a weight no greater than 2.2 kg, a length of 75/45 cm with the stock unfolded/folded, and a muzzle velocity of at least 700 m/s. The competition was joined by designs of M.T. Kalashnikov (PP1), I.Y. Stechkin (TKB-0116), S.G. Simonov (AG-043), A.S. Konstantinov (AEK-958), and E.F. Dragunov (who called his model "MA"). Kalashnikov also presented an additional design (A1-75) which differed from PP1 by having a modified muzzle for flash and noise suppression. By 1977 the GRAUdecided to adopt Kalashnikov's model, which was largely a shortened AKS-74, because it was no worse than the competition in terms of performance and promised significant production cost savings by utilizing existing equipment for the AK-74 line. A final round of large scale testing with Kalashinkov's model was performed by airborne divisions in the Transcaucasian Military District in March 1977. The AKS-74U ("U" — Russian: укороченный; Ukorochenniy, or "shortened") was officially adopted in 1979, and given the official, but seldom used GRAU designation 6P26.

In terms of tactical deployment, the AKS-74U bridges the gap between a submachine gun and an assault rifle. It was intended for use mainly with special forces, airborne infantry, rear-echelon support units and armored vehicle crews. It is still used in these roles, but has been augmented by various submachine guns, and the AK-105. It is also commonly used by law enforcement; for example, each urban police foot patrol is issued at least one.

The rifle's compact dimensions, compared to the AKS-74, were achieved by using a short 210 mm (8.3 in) barrel (this forced designers to simultaneously reduce the gas piston operating rod to an appropriate length). In order to effectively stabilize projectiles, the barrel’s twist rate was increased from 200 mm (1:8 in) to 160 mm (1:6.3 in) to adapt the AKS-74U for muzzle velocities of 720 m/s (2,362 ft/s) and higher. A new gas block was installed at the muzzle end of the barrel with a new conical flash hider combined with a cylindrical muzzle booster, which features an internal expansion chamber that increases the weapon's reliability. The booster supplies an increased amount of residual gas from the barrel for the gas system. The chrome-lined muzzle booster also burns any remaining propellant thus reducing the gun's signature. The muzzle device locks into the gas block with a spring-loaded detent and features two notches cut into the flash hider cone, used for disassembly using the supplied cleaning rod. The forward sling loop was relocated to the left side of the carbine and the front sight was integrated into the gas block.

The AKS-74U also has a different sighting system with a U-shaped flip sight instead of the standard sliding notch rear sight. This sight has two settings: "P" (calibrated for firing at 350 m) and "4–5" (used for firing at distances between 400–500 m). The rear sight is housed in a semi-shrouded protective enclosure that is riveted to the receiver's top cover. This top cover is integral with the gas tube cover and hinged from the barrel trunnion, pivoting forward when opened. Both the gas tube and handguard are also of a new type and are shorter than the analogous parts in the AKS-74.

The AKS-74U is significantly more maneuverable in tight quarters than the AKS-74; however, the significant decline in muzzle velocity from 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s) to 735 m/s (2,411 ft/s) resulted in a decrease in effective range (the effective hitting distance for a "running"-type silhouette target was reduced from 625 m (684 yd) to 350 m (383 yd). The carbine cannot mount a bayonet or standard under-barrel grenade launcher. However, a suppressed 30 mm BS-1 grenade launcher was developed specifically for that platform that fires a high-explosive dual purpose (HEDP) grenade. The grenades for the BS-1 are launched by special blank cartridges that are inserted into the grenade launcher via a detachable magazine. The majority of AKS-74U carbines were manufactured at the Tula Arms Factory rather than Izhmash. The AKS-74U was also used as the basis for several other unique weapons, including the bullpup OTs-14 Groza specialist carbine, and the Gepard series of multi-caliber submachine guns (none of which evolved past prototype stage).

In the United States, the AKS-74U is called a "Krinkov". The origin of this term is uncertain. A hypothesis was circulating that the name came from the mujahadeen who supposedly had captured a high-ranking Soviet officer armed with an AKS-74U, and that they had named it after him. However, investigation by Patrick Sweeney could not confirm this hypothesis, for no Soviet officer with a resembling name was captured in Afghanistan. US journalist C. J. Chivers reported that the gun was nicknamed "the Osama" in Jihadist circles, after Osama bin Laden was photographed next to an AKS-74U.

Kriss Super Vector

The KRISS Vector is an innovative weapons platform based on a unique design that is unconventional compared to weapons of the twenty-first century. Utilizing the patented KRISS Super V (KSV) System, the KRISS Vector effectively reduces felt recoil and muzzle climb. It has been said to be the first major breakthrough in firearms operating system technology since the Maxim machine gun in 1884

FN Scar

• Modular
  The FN SCAR^®-H CQC assault rifle is chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO caliber and is fitted with a short 13" barrel for close quarter combat.
  
  The operator can replace the short barrel with a standard 16" barrel in less than five minutes if the mission requires engagement at longer distances. The rifle is then called FN SCAR^®-H STD.

FN SCAR®-H CQC

FN SCAR®-H STD

The FN SCAR^®-H CQC assault rifle can be fitted with a FN40GL®-H grenade launcher mounted on the lower rail of the rifle, for additional firepower.

• Adaptable
  The FN SCAR^® assault rifle features a foldable buttstock, an adjustable cheek piece (2 positions) and an adjustable length of pull (6 positions) to adapt to any operators.

Extended buttstock

Folded buttstock

Retracted buttstock

• Ambidextrous
  
  The FN SCAR^® assault rifle features a reversible charging handle and an ambidextrous safety/firing selector and magazine release.
  Right- and left-handed operators are at ease with any FN SCAR^® assault rifle.

• Compact
  The FN SCAR^®-H CQC weighs no more than 3.590 kg (without magazine) and does not exceed 645mm in length with folded buttstock.

• Accuracy
  
  The FN SCAR^® assault rifle fires semi-automatic or full automatic maintaining high firing accuracy in either mode.

• Wide range of Accessories
  The FN SCAR^® assault rifle features an upper Picatinny rail for optional day or night sighting systems (in-line mounting possible) and lower and side rails for optional accessories (e.g. light, laser, foregrip).
  Further accessories are available, such as sling, bipod, carrying bag and blank firing system.

• Easy Field Stripping
  
  The FN SCAR^® assault rifle consists of 5 major assemblies:

1. Buttstock
2. Receiver
3. Bolt carrier
4. Trigger module
5. Magazine
   

Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that all product photographs, descriptions and specifications on this website are accurate. However, inadvertent errors may occur, and changes in design or materials, due to our continual effort to improve products, may result in some change in specifications before subsequent publications are issued. FN Herstal, S.A. reserves the right to modify or change specifications without notice.

FN 2000

FN P90

The FN P90 is a selective fire personal defense weapon (PDW) designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium.^[9]The P90's name is taken from 1990, the year it was introduced.^[4] The P90 was created in response to NATO requests for a replacement for 9×19mm Parabellum firearms; it was designed as a compact but powerful firearm for vehicle crews, operators of crew-served weapons, support personnel, special forces and counter-terrorist groups.^[9][10]

The P90 was designed by FN in conjunction with the FN Five-seven pistol and FN 5.7×28mm ammunition.^[4] Development of the P90 began in 1986, and production commenced in 1990, whereupon the 5.7×28mm ammunition was redesigned and shortened.^[1] A modified version of the P90 with a magazine adapted to use the new ammunition was introduced in 1993, and the Five-seven pistol was subsequently introduced as a companion weapon using the same 5.7×28mm ammunition.^[11]

The P90 was developed and initially marketed as a personal defense weapon, but it could also be considered asubmachine gun or compact assault rifle.^[12] Featuring a compact bullpup design with an integrated reflex sight and fullyambidextrous controls, the P90 is an unconventional weapon with a futuristic appearance.^[12] Its design incorporates several innovations such as a unique top-mounted magazine and FN's small-caliber, high-velocity 5.7×28mm ammunition.^[12]

The P90 is currently in service with military and police forces in over 40 nations, such as Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Greece, India, Malaysia, Poland, and the United States.^[13] In the United States, the P90 is in use with over 200 law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service.^[14] The standard selective fire P90 is restricted to military and law enforcement customers, but since 2005, a semi-automatic carbine version has been offered to civilian shooters as thePS90.^[15]

Antitank / multipurpose grenade launcher

RPG-32'Hashim' antitank / multipurpose grenade launcher (Russia / Jordan)

  RPG-32 'Hashim' antitank grenade launcher in ready to fire configuration (with launcher container attached) and two 105mm rockets shown in in flight configuration- PG-32V tandem HEAT top and TBG-32V thermobaric / FAE bottom.

 RPG-32 'Hashim' launcherand two preloaded containers wit rockets.

Caliber: 105mm (also can fire special 72mm rockets)
Type: rocket
Overall length:1200 mm (complete with 105mm launch container) or 900 mm (complete with 72mm launch container)
Weight: 3 kg unloaded, 10 kg loaded with 105mm rocket, 6kg loaded with 72mm rocket
Effective range: up to 200 m
Armour penetration: ERA + 650 mm RHA with 105mm PG-32V tandem HEAT rocket

The RPG-32 multipurpose grenade launcher was developed between 2005 and 2007 by Russian state-owned FGUP  'Bazalt' organization on request and under contract from Jordan. First RPG-32 'Hashim' grenade launchers will be delivered to Jordan from Russia in 2008, but it is planned that mass production of RPG-32 and its ammunition will be conducted in Jordan under license at the JRESCO factory. The RPG-32 is a modular weapon that inherited proven and successful solutions in design of the weapon and rockets from earlier Russian grenade launchers, and it can be used to successfully engage and destroy a wide variety of battlefield targets, from modern main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers to bunkers, military equipment and troops in defilade or in the open. This versatility is achieved by using as much as four types of ammunition in one weapon - two types of 105mm rockets and two types of smaller and lighter 72mm rockets. In each caliber,there's a HEAT rocket (with tandem warhead in 105mm caliber, optimized against ERA-equipped tanks) and a FAE / thermobaric rocket with enhanced fragmentation effect, optimized against lightly armored and soft targets.

The RPG-32 multipurpose grenade launcher consists of a short, reusable launcher tube with grips, firing controls and sight mount, detachable collimating sight and disposable ammunition containers, which are pre-loaded at the factory and attached to the rear end of the launcher before firing. Once rocket is fired , theempty container is detached from the launcher and discarded. There are four types of rockets available for RPG-32, all ballistically matched to the maximum range - two in 105mm caliber and two in 72mm caliber.All use solid-fuel rocket motors which burn out completely while rocket is still in the launcher, and all are stabilized in flight using switch-blade type folding fins at the rear. 

NighVision

Mini Gun

General Electric M134 Minigun machine gun of Vietnam war (late 1960s) era, on pedestal mount.

 Dillon Aero M134D Minigun of current manufacture, with manual control unit and feed chute.
Image: Dillon Aero

M134D Minigun of current manufacture, mounted on the roof of the military car.
Image: Dillon Aero

M134D Minigun of current manufacture, on Naval pedestal mount, with ammunition container.
Image: Dillon Aero

M134 Minigun on infantry type tripod, as often seen on civilian entertainment events such as Knob Creek machine gun shot in USA.

Data for M134D Minigun

Caliber	7.62x51 NATO
Weight	24...30 kg gun with motor and feeder/delinker, less ammunition container and power source
Length	801 mm
Barrel length	559 mm
Feed	belt in 1500, 3000 or 4500 round containers
Rate of fire	3000 or 4000 rounds per minute, fixed

The development of a rifle-caliber, externally powered Gatling type machine gun was commenced by weapons branch of the US-based General Electric Corporation in 1960, following the successful development and fielding of the 20mm M61 Vulcan automatic gun (used in aircraft and AA applications). First prototypes of the 7.62mm Gatling-type machine gun were fired in 1962, and in late 1964 first 7.62mm machine guns, dubbed 'the Minigun', were mounted on AC-47 Gunship aircraft for combat trials. Following the definitive success of the first 'Gunship' aircrafts armed with Miniguns, GE commenced mass production of the new weapon, officially adopted by US Army as M134 Minigun and by US Air Forces as GAU-2/A machine gun. By 1971 more than 10,000 Miniguns were produced and delivered to US Armed forces. Most were used in airborne applications, installed in a variety of side- or forward-firing mountings aboard aircrafts and helicopters (AH-1 Cobra, UH-1 Huey, HH-53 Green Giant and others). Some Miniguns also were installed on riverine crafts, used by US Navy and Special forces in Vietnam.Thanks to its sustained-fire capability and high rate of fire, Minigun weapons provided excellent suppressive and area denial capabilities. It must be noted, however, that infantry applications of the Miniguns were very limited due to the weight of the system and its requirement for external electric power. In most cases, Minigun machine guns were (and still are) mounted on high mobility vehicles as anti-ambush weapons.
In recent times, production of the 7.62mm Miniguns was resumed by US-based company Dillon Aero, which is now manufacturing an improved version of the basic design, known as M134D. It has many upgrades in detail, resulting in decreased weight of the system (especially when using titanium gun body), improved reliability and better handling and maintenance. The M134D machine gun is used on board of many military helicopters (such as MH-6 or UH-60), as well as on HMMMV trucks and naval crafts (to provide close-in defense against small, fast-moving vessels such as suicide-bomber motorboats).
It must be noted that M134 miniguns are very rarely used for infantry applications; photos of M134 installed on standard light tripods are almost universally from some 'Civilian' events such as Knob Creek shot in USA, where people can fire a number of legally owned full automatic weapons just for fun. Military has no place for a 30-kg weapon (less mount and batteries) with extremely high ammunition consumption rate in a 'man-portable' class of small arms. Prospects of using M134 in 'Hollywood-style' are even less realistic, not only because of aforementioned properties (heavy weight and unnecessarily high rate of fire) but also due to the extremely high recoil force - at just 3,000 rounds per minute the Dillon Aero M134D minigun generates average recoil force of 150 lbs / 67.5 kg, with peak recoil reaching 300 lbs / 135 kg.

The M134 Minigun is an externally operated weapon which uses electrical motor drive to operate its action. Typical power requirements for 3,000 rounds per minute (50 rounds/second) rate of fire are 24-28 V DC, 58 Amp (~1.5 KWt); with increase of rate of fire power requirements rise accordingly. The gun operates on Gatling principle, that is it employs a rotary cluster of six barrels, each with its own bolt group. Bolts are moved back and forth behind each barrel as their operating roller passes an internal curved track machined inside the receiver cover. Typically, the topmost barrel in the cluster has its bolt fully open and the bottom barrel in cluster has its bolt fully closed, locked and firing pin released to fire the loaded cartridge. Barrel locking is achieved by the rotary bolt head. Since the gun operates on external power, it is immune to dud / misfired rounds, which are ejected during the normal cycle of operation. Feed is provided either by linkless chute or by the linked ammunition, In the latter case, a powered feeder/delinker module is installed on the gun; it receives necessary power through the gear from the gun motor. To properly operate the gun, it is fitted with electronics control box, which, in the case of manually controlled installation, has an 'master arm' switch and fire controls (triggers). Typical feed arrangement uses a large container holding some 1,500 (full weight ~ 125 lbs / 58 kg) to 4,500(full weight ~ 295 lbs / 134 kg) rounds, with maximum capacity reaching well over 10,000 rounds per gun in certain heavy helicopter installations (such as used in CH-53 and CH-47 during Vietnam war). The container is connected to the gun via the flexible chute. If chute is overly long, an additional electrical feed booster is installed on the ammunition container.

RailGun

See also: Coilgun

Naval Surface Warfare Center test firing in January 2008; Contrary to popular belief the plume formed behind the projectile is of flame, and not plasma.^[1]

A railgun is an electrically powered electromagnetic projectile launcher based on similar principles to the homopolar motor. A railgun comprises a pair of parallel conducting rails, along which a sliding armature is accelerated by the electromagnetic effects of a current that flows down one rail, into the armature and then back along the other rail.^[2]

Railguns have long existed as experimental technology but the mass, size and cost of the required power supplies have prevented railguns from becoming practical military weapons. However, in recent years, significant efforts have been made towards their development as feasible military technology. For example, in the late 2000s, the U.S. Navy tested a railgun that accelerates a 3.2 kg (7 pound) projectile to hypersonic velocities of approximately 2.4 kilometres per second (5,400 mph), about Mach 7 .^[3] They gave the project the Latin motto "Velocitas Eradico", which is Latin for "I, [who am] speed, eradicate", but may have been intended as "Speed kills" or similar.

In addition to military applications, railguns have been proposed to launch spacecraft into orbit; however, unless the launching track was particularly long, and the acceleration required spread over a much longer time, such launches would necessarily be restricted to unmanned spacecraft.

Stealth II - Image coutesy of U.S. Repeating Arms Company.
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Rem.)
.22-250 Rem.
7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Win.)
Magazine: 5 round internal magazine
Overall length: 46.0" (1168mm)
Barrel length: 26.0" (660mm)
Weight: 10.75 lbs. (4.89kg)
Stock: HS Precision Kevlar/fiberglass graphite stock with a full-length aluminum bedding block
Barrel: Heavy Contour 26"
Barrel Twist: RH 1:10"
Features: Model 70 Action, Push Feed, Matte Finish, Pillar Plus accublock ™
Retail Price: $785 USD (Street price is about $650 USD)


The Winchester model 70 Stealth is a direct replacement for their older "Heavy Varminter" and is advertised as a varmint rifle. But the solid black stock and matte black finish on all exposed parts lends itself well to tactical use. I figure this is the "politically correct" way USRA could build a tactical rifle. What ever the case, its a very nice entry level tactical rifle, and some think its the same as the FN Special Police. The quality of the rifles are fairly high for a production rifle, and accuracy is averaging around .65 MOA for these rifles with match ammo, with the typical rifles shooting between .5 and 1 MOA. That is the one big down side to mass produced rifles, you get a great rifle followed by a bad rifle, so be forewarned. The things I do not like about the Stealth is that it does not have the palm swell (like the Remington 700P) and it uses the push feed 70 action, I would prefer their claw feed, but the model 70 action is still a good action. I also prefer the wider trigger that is standard on the remington rifles. Overall, the rifle is good and will perform as well as remington and maybe even savage out of the box. There is a new serious player in the low end tactical rifle field.

7 Days War

---

The Egyptians are Weak with the Sword
but Strong with Their Mouths

By OBSERVER

In the seven days of fighting between the southern army of Israel and the Royal Army of Egypt, the Egyptian troops have taken a beating on hip and thigh. The Israel have smashed the army of Farouk along the entire front, cut off the troops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem from every line of communication with Egypt, captured Beersheba and other strongholds, and slashed to ribbons the royal army on the coast.

On Oct. 21 the New York Times correspondent radioed that there were “signs of panic in the positions still held by the Egyptians.” “The Israel army fought on with increasing success. . . The Egyptian troops remaining in the Negev were in a bad way, and the fall of Beersheba threatened those about Jerusalem with a similar fate.” 

SharpShooter

SharpShooter Imaging is the perfect balance of talent, service and size.  Our experience has made us the logical choice for many of the world’s largest brands. These organizations count on us to deliver memories while adding value to their guests’ experience. We are honored by this trust, and take every effort to ensure that we deliver results that fulfill on these expectations.

When choosing a photo concession provider, it is imperative you choose an organization that cares about your guests the same way you do. You want a provider who truly honors the same commitment to professionalism you instill in each of your team and cast members. SharpShooter is your provider. Our experience with national and international brands, our commitment to providing the highest level of service, and our dedication to increasing value make us the best choice to fulfill this important need.

Assult Rifle M4A1

Colt M4 carbine, current issue model with removable carrying handle, left side

 
Colt M4 carbine, current issue model with removable carrying handle, right side

Colt M4 carbine, old version with fixed M16A2-style carrying handle and M203 grenade launcher

Colt M4 carbine, current issue model with Trijicon ACOG telescope sight installed over the integral Picatinny rail and M203 grenade launche mounted onto the RIS forend.

Colt M4 carbine with Mk.18 CQBR upper receiver, fitted with Aimpoint red-dot sight and additional back-up iron sights (BUIS)

THOR Global Defense Group TR-15 carbine, manufactured along the lines of US GI M4, but fitted with a number of accessories such as AAC silencer, Vltor rail forend and buttstock, and Trijicon ACOG 4X optical sight
image: THOR Global Defense Group

image: THOR Global Defense Group

Click here to see the the SOPMOD M4A1 kit (54 Kb JPEG, will open in new window)

Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 838 mm (stock extended); 757 mm (stock fully collapsed)
Barrel length: 370 mm
Weight: 2.52 kg without magazine; 3.0 kg with magazine loaded with 30 rounds
Rate of fire: 700 - 950 rounds per minute
Maximum effective range: 360 m

The Colt company developed various carbine versions of the basic AR-15 / M16 rifle since 1970s. These carbines were intended for all markets - military, law enforcement, civilian. US Military (and some other armies, most notably - Israeli Self-Defense Forces) had adopted the Colt CAR-15 Commando and XM-177 carbines during the 1970s and 1980s. But early in 1990s the old idea of replacing the pistols in the hands of the troops with some more effective, shoulder fired weapon, rise again in the heads of the US Military. In fact, this idea can be dated back to the US M1 Carbine of 1941, but good ideas never die. So, in the 1994, US Army adopted the Colt Model 720 selective-fire carbine (basically, a shortened M16A2 rifle), as the US M4 Carbine. This weapon was intended to replace in service some M9 pistols, as well as some aged M3A1 submachine guns and some M16A2 rifles. New weapon was much more handy and comfortable to carry, than the long M16A2 rifle, so the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) put its eye on the M4 as a possible universal weapon for all Special Operations community. For this purpose M4 was latter modified with the M16A3-style flat-top receiver with integral Picatinny-type accessory rail instead of the M16A2/M4-type integral carrying handle. This modificatin retained the M4 index. The only difference between the M4A1 and M4 is that its trigger unit of M4A1 is modified to fire full-auto instead of the three shots bursts in M4. Specially for the SOCOM M4A1s US Naval Surface Warfare Center developed a SOPMOD M4 kit, that consisted of the M4A1 carbine equipped with Rail Interface System (RIS) instead of the standard handguards. The kit also includes a variety of the add-on goodies, such as various sights (ACOG 4X telescopic, ACOG Reflex red-dot, detachable back-up open sights), laser pointers (visible and infra-red), detachable sound suppressor (silencer), modified M203 40mm grenade launcher (with shortened barrel and improved sights). The kit also included a detachable front grip and tactical light.

At the present time, the M4 carbine is used as a front-line weapon by US Army, Marine Corps and SOCOM operators in Iraq and Afghanistan. Combat experience with thos weapon resulted in update program, which will, as of now (mid-2010) following steps. First, Army wanted to install heavier barrel to allow more sustained firepower, combined with full-automatic mode of fire instead of 3-round burst, and ambidextrous safety/selector switch. Second stage will see improved rail adapter and a new, improved bolt carrier, and a possible third stage will include change of operating system (most probably, from direct gas to the gas piston). 

At the present time, the Colt company still is the the prime M4 carbine manufacturer for US Armed forces, but many other companies build similar "milspec" weapons for other US and foreign customers, such as government and private security organizations, law enforcement etc. To name just few, M4-type carbines are manufactured by Bushmaster Firearms, Olympic Arms, THOR Global Defense Group and others

Technical description.
The M4 carbine differs from the M16A2 rifle only by having a shorter barrel and a telescoped, 4-position buttstock. The M4A1 is a similar modification of the M16A3 rifle, so for general technical description please refer to the M16 article on this site.

Three Decades Down Range.

After 30-plus years of making history, the powerhouse rifle that started it all is still leading the pack. With its low felt recoil and self-loading action, the Model 82A1 offers rapid, accurate firepower that never slows down.
For more than three decades, the Model 82A1 has been carefully honed, studied and then refined