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Question on M4's

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:31 pm
by dukesean
So I have no experience with EBRs, and am considering getting one with my tax rebate check, but have a couple questions.

What is the difference between an M4 and an AR15? I thought the M4 has a shorter barrel and is therefore more compact than the AR15, but I seem to see the two terms used interchangeably. Am I missing something here?

Any other differences? Maybe in the upper receiver?

Re: Question on M4's

Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 9:40 pm
by WEC
The M4 is the current manifestation of the M16. Yes, shorter barrel. Technically, M4's are supposed to have select fire, but you could find some marked M4 which are semi-auto only. The AR-15 is just the "general" name for the rifle.

Re: Question on M4's

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 1:27 pm
by ELB
Once you start digging into the AR-15 arena, you will discover there is a whole 'nother world of terms associated with that rifle. Like said above, it is a Barbie doll for guys. And some gals. The best all-round post I have ever run across for explaining most, if not all, of the terms, is this one:

So you want to buy an AR-15, huh? at officer.com.

Good luck. I studied up on this myself awhile back -- then I bought an AK-47. :mrgreen:

Re: Question on M4's

Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 2:10 pm
by TexasComputerDude
this is a great website for AR related stuff that someone on this very forum linked me to when I first started looking for my first AR.

http://forums.officer.com/showthread.php?t=81462


edit: and apparently I pulled an obama and didn't read before posting, lol.

Re: Question on M4's

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 12:04 am
by Backslider
AndyC wrote:It's Barbie-doll for guys ;)
That's the most apt analogy I've heard in a long time.

I plan on stealing it.

Re: Question on M4's

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 2:12 am
by iratollah
Steal this:

Image

Re: Question on M4's

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 12:09 am
by Backslider
I had to redo the poster in a zombie font. :)
AR-15barbie.jpg

Re: Question on M4's

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:07 am
by Purplehood
dukesean wrote:So I have no experience with EBRs, and am considering getting one with my tax rebate check, but have a couple questions.

What is the difference between an M4 and an AR15? I thought the M4 has a shorter barrel and is therefore more compact than the AR15, but I seem to see the two terms used interchangeably. Am I missing something here?

Any other differences? Maybe in the upper receiver?
The only difference I noticed between the M-4 I carried and the AR-15 I just bought is the word Bushmaster on my purchase. It even came with the little plastic block you stick in the chamber that we always used on Marine Corps ranges. As noted in the extremely coolicious pic above, you can really doll-up an AR-15 though.

Re: Question on M4's

Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:01 am
by Lodge2004
Backslider wrote:
AndyC wrote:It's Barbie-doll for guys ;)
That's the most apt analogy I've heard in a long time.

I plan on stealing it.
When that poster first came out and I showed it to my daughter, she added that 1911's must be "Barbie for men...the Classic edition". Would make a cool set of posters if anybody out there has the talent to create one.

Re: Question on M4's

Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:10 pm
by RECIT
There are many different variations of AR configuration. I have an A2 style myself with full length hand guards, a fixed carry handle on the upper receiver, fixed stock and a 20" barrel. The M4 configuration has 16" barrel, flat top or fixed carry handle, mid-length hand guards 7" or so, and a collapsible stock. The feed ramps on the M4 are different than an older A2 style as well. The M4 feeds ramps for the ammo are part of the barrel on the M4 where they are part of the receiver on the A2 style. A few simple differences, they all get the job done. Handle a few, notice some differences and see what fits you personally. On another note, I have an AK too and the ergonomics are horrible. I am actually changing my stock on my AK to fit an AR type stock for comfort and control.

Re: Question on M4's

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:30 pm
by Chuck TX
WARNING: Once you start getting into EBR's you won't be able to stop. :evil2:

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Re: Question on M4's

Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:29 pm
by longhorn_92
Chuck TX wrote:WARNING: Once you start getting into EBR's you won't be able to stop. :evil2:

Image
I love this! You are absolutley correct about that!!!