Major revamp possible for M4 carbine (gas piston included)

officer.com ^ | November 22, 2009 | Matthew Cox

[re_tail20]

The Army is considering a major redesign of the M4 aimed at making the weapon shoot cleaner and longer — at high rates of fire.

As the Army awaits Defense Department approval of a competition to find a new carbine, weapons officials have identified six fixes intended to address shortcomings in reliability, durability and handling of the Army’s inventory of more than 400,000 M4s.

Army weapons officials presented the proposed changes to Congress on Oct. 30. They are:

• Adding a heavier barrel for better performance during high rates of fire.

• Replacing the direct-impingement gas system with a piston gas system.

• Improving the trigger pull.

• Adding an improved rail system for increased strength.

• Adding ambidextrous controls.

• Adding a round counter to track the total number of bullets fired over the weapon’s lifetime.

The Army is considering upgrades to the M4 at the same time it is poised to begin a competition to replace the weapon, a variant of the Vietnam-era M16 family.

Senior leaders launched the effort to find a new weapon in November 2008, a year after the M4 finished in last place in an Army reliability test involving three other carbines. Then-Army Secretary Pete Geren directed the Army’s Infantry Center at Fort Benning, Ga., to update the carbine requirement.

[43north]

Just give the troops a couple of million Ruger SR-556 rifles. That’s the ticket!

[The KG9 Kid]

Round counter?

Let me guess: It's rail-mounted and takes CR123 3v batteries.

[Rammer]

"• Adding a heavier barrel for better performance during high rates of fire. • Replacing the direct-impingement gas system with a piston gas system." Bout time.

[randomhero97]

I was going to order an M4 upper for my next build and went with the mid-length instead.

[wally_bert]

[Tallguy]

Would the piston system increase the perceived recoil or muzzle climb? There is some mass traveling back & forth. Anybody fire both?

[Pavegunner72]

They should defund 1ea F22 or F35 fighter and get HK uppers and .45 cal pistols for all services. But I doubt the gound pounders are worth it to the Pentagon.

Round counters are a useless waste. Good PMIs/Armorers will prevent problems early.

[Frantzie]

Wow! When did that come out? Holy smokes!

Old man Ruger was extra careful and product development suffered. Never had a decent carry gun but the SR9 looks pretty good for carry.

I had a Bushie AR until it fell off my boat with my old Ruger P85 9 mm. I miss them. Ruger’s reliability is legendary. Your suggestion is excellent.

The Mini-14 would not win any accuracy prizes. This new SR-556 looks awesome.

[Rodebrecht]

I had a Bushie AR until it fell off my boat

There's a story in there...

[fightin kentuckian]

That is odd, you usually need a .308 cal. for bass.

[Hammerhead]

Bushmaster already has an interchangeable patented AK-47 type gas piston system.

Think the replacement system runs about $300 without looking it up.

[Frantzie]

Yeah I tried to save them but they sank to the bottom of the sea. I no longer own any guns because they can be dangerous. I have a Gun Free Zone sign in front of my house. If it saves just one life.

[killjoy]

Army weapons officials presented the proposed changes to Congress on Oct. 30. They are:

It already exists:

[Frantzie]

LOL! Priceless!

I was thinking about a SA58 FAL from DSA Arms for Bass.

http://www.dsarms.com/SA58-Original-Series/products/35/

Or STG58 Austrian FAL.

http://www.dsarms.com/STG58-Austrian-FAL/products/9/

I need the .308 for bass. I stay away from guns now because they scare me.

[labette]

• Adding a heavier barrel for better performance during high rates of fire. - {Depends on weapon role/application}

• Replacing the direct-impingement gas system with a piston gas system. - {Yes, us redneck gunsmiths have been advocating this for decades. Put a knob on the bolt carrier while we’re at it }

• Improving the trigger pull. {If there is ONE rifle in the cabinet I can’t hit squat with for the first few rounds, it’s the AR. - Need a couple of squeezes to get reacquainted with the trigger }

• Adding an improved rail system for increased strength. {Is this a problem?}

• Adding ambidextrous controls. {Possible}

• Adding a round counter to track the total number of bullets fired over the weapon’s lifetime. - {May God save us from the gadget geeks}

[Mr. Jazzy]

Ohh baby. Come to Papa!

[piytar]

That would be sweet, but I want one and this would drive the price up even more!

Try a DPMS gas piston M4 modded for auto with a bull barrel and add-on round counter, and you’re there. Reasonable price, too.

[HusbandMan]

Army weapons officials presented the proposed changes to Congress

Why does congress have to be involved in this? Do they get a cut from the contractors? Let the men on the ground and their leaders make the decision.

[piytar]

“Would the piston system increase the perceived recoil or muzzle climb? There is some mass traveling back & forth. Anybody fire both?”

I’ve put a lot of rounds through both types. Haven’t noticed any real difference in terms of perceived recoil or muzzle climb. Come cleaning time, though, there is a HUGE difference. The gas piston runs far cleaner. It’s not even close!