Is the m4 a reliable weapon?

Answer 1

There is a myth going round that the M4 is an unreliable weapon that jams alot. For the best part, this is untrue. A properly maintained M4 can go through hundreds of rounds with no malfunctions. There are many features that can be upgraded, for example, there are many different types of extractor spring available, to increase extraction reliability.

The main flaw of the M4 is it uses a type of gas system called 'direct-impingement'. This is where the exhaust gases created by the projectile upon firing make direct contact with the gas key on bolt-carrier, meaning that dirty gases cause carbon build up on the bolt after extensive use. This can lead to malfunctions if not addressed. Another reason why the M4 has faced much criticism of its reliability in Iraq in Afghanistan is because of the sandy environment. The M4's bolt carrier has tight tolerances, meaning that it must be lubricated often. Dirt and sand sticks to gun lubricant, which can cause the weapon to malfunction.

Other malfunctions, like a double feed, can be mostly solved with better training. For example, some operators may accidentally load 31 rounds into a magazine designed to hold a maximum of 30 rounds, causing the spine of the magazine to split, this may cause the feed lips to separate and cause a double feed. A broken extractor can also cause a double feed, by not extracting the empty case from the chamber, the bolt will try to load a new round into the chamber when it is blocked by the un-extracted case, which will cause a double feed. There are many other operator created issues in existence, but that's just a few summed up.

The main issue with the M4 is its stopping power in modern combat. The M4 is chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge. The round used is typically an M855, which is a 62gr Ball round. These rounds were originally designed to be fired from the M16's 20 inch barrel, and not the M4's 14.5 inch. Because of this, the rounds don't retain enough velocity to cause the round to yaw and fragment on impact, which the 5.56 needs to do in order to be lethal. So technically ever since its introduction in 1994, the U.S has been using a cartridge for the M4 which isn't suited for it. Improvements are continuously being made to fix this problem. New rounds such as the Mk262 Mod 0, a 77gr round which fragments more reliably out of a 1:7 twist 14.5 inch barrel (M4), have been introduced in limited numbers.

The U.S as of 2011, is still seeking a new rifle to replace the M4 platform altogether.