The Big M4 Myth

[gman1868]

The Big M4 Myth: “Fouling caused by the direct impingement gas system makes the M4 Carbine unreliable.”

By Mike Pannone
Info@CTT-Solutions.com

Here’s my question for those that subscribe to the direct impingement fouling concept:

I fired 2400 rounds of M193 through a 14.5” M4-type upper receiver from Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) with no lubrication, and without any rifle-caused malfunctions. So; why can I get my direct impingement rifles to repeatedly do things that conventional wisdom says they can’t do?

http://www.defensereview.com/the-big-m4-myth-fouling-caused-by-the-direct-impingement-gas-system-makes-the-m4-unreliable/

[DeanC]

I field-stripped my AR for the first time last night. I hadn't put that many rounds through it so it wasn't all that dirty. But I tell ya what: it might even be easier to field strip than my AK. It certainly requires less brute force.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the gas go into that void in the carrier behind the bolt and firing pin and doesn't actually get vented into those pieces? My boltface was spotless.

[farmerj]

shine a flashlight down into the bolt carrier where the bolt goes in. THAT'S the area you want to get at with a dental pick to get all the carbon out.

If you REALLY want to have a fun time shooting, fill those two holes on the side of the bolt carrier with CLP or gun lube sometime until it comes out the other hole.

And make sure you are wearing safety glasses...

I found the most appropriate way to lube the AR/M16 was to put the lube on a patch. Wet your finger tip off the patch and then wipe the 4 rails in the receiver with your finger tip.

Any more lube than that was overkill.

[hammAR]

If you REALLY want to have a fun time shooting, fill those two holes on the side of the bolt carrier with CLP or gun lube sometime until it comes out the other hole.

And make sure you are wearing safety glasses...

......................love it.............

[farmerj]

If you REALLY want to have a fun time shooting, fill those two holes on the side of the bolt carrier with CLP or gun lube sometime until it comes out the other hole.

And make sure you are wearing safety glasses...

......................love it.............

It's REALLY sweet to watch someone do it shooting left handed.....

[David]

I've only had one malfunction with my M4, and that was my fault from leaning against a tree and covering the ejector port. I even took a class once where we had to shoot hundreds of blanks, which are way dirtier than regular rounds, and then when we switched to real ammo I still didn't even have any malfunctions. I don't roll around in the dirt with mine, so I guess I can't say what the M4 is like in combat, but for people who aren't ninjas there is nothing wrong with the AR and it's gas system. Nothing at all.

[Pinnacle]

The M4 let a good friend of mine down in Afghanistan - and well - several members of his company that were nearly killed in Helmund Province at Camp Keating.

There were M4's strewn in all manners of discombobulation everywhere - the only things that still ran was the M240's and 249's - the mortars and the machine guns were taken out first.

The M4 is acceptable - but not the best answer. There are better out there but none that are in issue with the troops at this time.

[Paul]

The M4 is acceptable - but not the best answer. There are better out there but none that are in issue with the troops at this time.

What are better options, in your opinion? I ask because I don't know a ton about M4's/AR's, but am interested in learning.

[Pinnacle]

The M4 is acceptable - but not the best answer. There are better out there but none that are in issue with the troops at this time.

What are better options, in your opinion? I ask because I don't know a ton about M4's/AR's, but am interested.

The FN FAL has been answering that question since about 1954
The M14 was never a problem also since about the same time

The biggerst problem is that these are machines and they need care

You screw up and your gun WILL Let you down.

[Paul]

Any thoughts on the HK416/HK417?

[farmerj]

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/02/atCarbine070219/

http://www.armytimes.com/projects/flash ... 0_carbine/

It's an M4 carbine with a gas piston rod instead of a gas impingement system.

I'd still take an M14 over the M16/M4 any day of the week.

[Paul]

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/02/atCarbine070219/

http://www.armytimes.com/projects/flash ... 0_carbine/

Awesome, thanks!

[farmerj]

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/02/atCarbine070219/

http://www.armytimes.com/projects/flash ... 0_carbine/

Awesome, thanks!

I take the Army Times with a grain of salt too....

It's just one source.

Been trying to search the Center for Army Lessons Learned, but my search skills are a little rusty inside army forms....


http://www.army.mil/-newsreleases/2007/ ... of-choice/


http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/call/mil-se ... Search#966

[Pinnacle]

Call TRADOC or TSWG about guns.

[farmerj]

Call TRADOC or TSWG about guns.

I'll stick with the M14 ....