History

The Colt M4A1 Carbine is a short barreled, telescoping stock variant of the M16A2 rifle, based in part on 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 Carbine, however, has the same firing modes as the M16. The M4 Carbine was designed to be a defensive weapon for personnel whose role may require a powerful defensive weapon when a full-sized rifle may be impractical. The M4 is also used by various special forces for its compact nature and full-power rifle cartridge, making it ideal for close quarters combat. To this end, a variety of modifications for the M4A1 Carbine, known as the Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD) kit, are issued to US Army Special Forces, which include the Knight's Armament Company vertical foregrip, M203 grenade launcher, Knight's Armament Company QDSS-NT4 Suppressor, AN/PEQ-2A, ACOG, and other accessories. The US Army is replacing most M16s with M4s, though the US Marine Corps still largely uses the M16.

Singleplayer

The M4A1 (with a mounted M68 reflex sight, AN/PEQ-2A, and foregrip) is a frequent Marine drop and infrequent SAS drop. It is the starting weapon in Charlie Don't Surf and Game Over and one of the optional weapons at the beginning of Hunted. The "M4A1 Grenadier", which uses an EOTech Holographic Weapon Sight, AN/PEQ-2A and M203 grenade launcher is the starting weapon in The Bog, War Pig and Shock and Awe. The "M4A1 SOPMOD" uses the red dot sight, M203 grenade launcher , AN/PEQ-2A, and suppressor and is the starting weapon in the majority of MacTavish's missions.

Multiplayer

Accuracy: 9 / 12
Damage: 5 / 12
Range: 9 / 12
Fire Rate: 9 / 12
Mobility: 8 / 12
Clip Size/Reserve Ammo: 30/60
Recoil: low cluster
Reload Time: 2.03 seconds / 2.36 empty
Damage: 20-30
Range: 1500-2000 / 500-1000 SD
Rate of Fire: 850 RPM Single
Penetration: Medium / Large Bullet
Location Damage Multiplier: Head (1.4) / Neck: (1.0) / Torso: (1.0) / Stomach: (1.0) / Limbs (1.0)
Hip Accuracy: Stand (3-7) / Crouch (2.5-6) / Prone (2
Unlocked at lvl 10

This gun fires on full-auto. This is one of the most popular guns you'll see on most servers, since it can lay a lot of bullets on a target in a very short amount of time with minimal recoil. On paper it's not very powerful, but if you aim it carefully it'll drop enemies in short order. If you just can't seem to draw a bead on moving targets with the burst-fire M16, switch to the M4 and you should get better results.

The power is a detriment, but usually gets made up in accuracy, also hard for longer range shooting against snipers, it is best for medium range.

Challenges