Based upon the M16A2/A3 rifle, the M4 carbine has proven to be an effective weapon in Iraq. It’s shown here topped with an EOTech and BUIS.

With this in mind, the men of 2nd Platoon, Bonecrusher Troop carefully cleaned their weapons every day. So reliability was not an issue for them with their M4s. Occasionally a worn magazine would fail to function properly. More of an issue was the lack of cleaning supplies of any sort. Any type of cleaning gear or lube was very hard to come by, and many soldiers in the unit resorted to having it sent from home.

Accuracy has never been an issuing with the M16 series. It easily outclasses both the 7.62x39mm AKM, 5.45x39mm AK-74 and most other combat rifles both past and present in this regard. A MARS-topped M4 is quick on target and capable of hitting, under actual combat conditions, at 300 meters. When topped with an ACOG, a skilled marksman can stretch it farther.

Under range conditions I have seen the 3-7th Cav’s commanding officer, Lt. Col. Jeffery Broadwater, hit pop-ups at 800 meters from a supported position with an M4 and ball. Members of the Fort Monroe rifle team I competed with at the 2007 All Army Small Arms Championship even posted some good scores with their iron-sighted M4 carbines at 500 yards. So I think any concerns about M4 accuracy are really a matter of better training.

Regarding terminal performance, there is no doubt the M855 ball round is quite lethal out of the M4 carbine. However, many of the 3-7th Cav’s veteran NCOs with heavy combat experience in Iraq wished it packed more punch. Fighting room to room, engagement distances are up close. In such an environment, where the insurgents they face may be doped up on narcotics, they wanted a threat to drop instantly--not stay on his feet for a couple seconds still capable of triggering off another burst.

“I shot an insurgent in the stomach with a 7.62mm M14, and it buckled him over,” Sgt. John Gibson commented. “Another one I shot with the 5.56 M4 took three rounds to put him down. Sure, he died, but I wished he’d gone down faster.”

So while the troops were generally satisfied with the M4’s performance, they felt the reduced barrel length affected the 5.56’s muzzle velocity enough to diminish its terminal performance. That said, there is no death ray round that slays with every pull of the trigger--not 6.8mm SPC nor even the well-respected 7.62mm NATO.

Is the M4 carbine perfect? No, nothing is. But in the hands of regular army troops it has proven to be a highly effective weapon on today’s battlefield.

Help the Cav
Ever wish you could help our soldiers serving in Iraq? Well, you can. The men of Bonecrusher Troop 3-7th Cav are short on weapon cleaning supplies. They could use 5.56mm and 7.62mm bore patches, bore brushes, cleaning brushes and, most of all, Break-Free CLP. A few of your old gun, car or computer magazines or perhaps a local newspaper tossed into the box would be much appreciated, too. If you are willing to help out send it to Any Cavalry Trooper, C/O SFC Lugo, 2nd Platoon, B Trp 3/7 Cav, Unit 5972, APO AE 09378