Infantry Small Arms / The Warfighter

Bushmaster M4-Type

Assault Carbine [ 2000 ]

The Bushmaster M4-Type is based on the classic Colt M4 Assault Carbine and used by many forces around the globe.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/22/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Right side view of the Bushmaster M4 style carbine assault weapon.

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Despite its early issues, the AR-15/M-16-style assault weapon has proliferated the globe. This eventually led to the style being licensed and produced by other gun-makers around the world including Bushmaster Firearms international. The Bushmaster M4 Carbine is based in the AR-15 which also serves as the basis for the American military's Colt M16 Assault Rifle. The carbine form of the M16 is the M4 which the Bushmaster model mimics in both form and function.

The Bushmaster M4 weighs in at 6.22lb and has an overall length of 34.75 inches. The stock is collapsible for an even shorter profile. The barrel assembly measures 16 inches long. Supported cartridges of the series include .223 Remington, 5.56x45mm NATO, 6.8mm Remington SPC and 7.62x39mm Soviet depending on chambering. The action is based on the same gas-operated, rotating bolt system common to other AR-15 clones. Most versions are limited to semi-automatic fire which equals one bullet firing per trigger pull. Depending on the chambering, the weapon accepts 26- and 30-round STANAG-type (AR-15/M16) magazines. These are inserted into the magazine well located ahead of the trigger unit. Iron sights are standard and adjustable to suit the target requirements. Similarly, the Bushmaster model has a 6-position adjustable shoulder stock. A slotted flash hider is fitted over the muzzle. Optics are optional and supported over the receiver.

Other tactical accessories that can be fitted to the weapon include laser aimers, foregrips and flashlights.

Variants of the Bushmaster M4 include the M4A2 and M4A3 which largely mimic the respective Colt M4 Carbine forms in military service. There is also a "Patrolman's Carbine" variant marketed. The "M4 Type Post-Ban" model was developed in the mid-1990s to comply with the Federal Assault Weapons ban (since expired).

The Bushmaster M4 has been widely accepted as a military firearm, claiming users from Australian and Bahrain to Uruguay and Zimbabwe. Czech special forces members actively use the Bushmaster M4 (M4A3), which are modified to accept military-grade accessories and weapons, the M203 40mm single-shot grenade launcher being an example of the latter. Georgian military and police elements both rely on the type as standard issue.

Bushmaster Firearms International (of North Carolina) was founded in 1973 and continues to be an active supplier of firearms worldwide.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

2000

Origin

United States

Classification

Assault Carbine

Bushmaster Firearms International - USA

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

National flag of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

National flag of the United Arab Emirates

Australia; Bahamas; Bahrain; Botswana; Brazil; Brunei; Canada; Costa Rica; Czech Republic; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; El Salvador; France; Georgia; Greece; Guatemala; Haiti; India; Iraq; Israel; Italy; Jamaica; Japan; Jordan; Kuwait; Lebanon; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Norway; Oman; Philippines; Panama; Peru; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; South Africa; South Korea; Spain; Sri Lanka; Sweden; Switzerland; Taiwan; Thailand; Turkey; United Arab Emirates; United States; Uruguay; Zimbabwe

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Automatic Function
Features a mechanical function to automate the firing action.

Overall Length

883 mm
34.76 in

Barrel Length

406 mm
15.98 in

Empty Wgt

6.22 lb
2.82 kg

Sights

Adjustable Front and Rear Iron Sights.

Action

Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt; Semi-Automatic or Selective-Fire

Semi-Automatic
One shot per trigger pull; self-loading or auto-loading action aided by internal mechanism; trigger management (and initial cocking) typically required by the operator; subsequent shots are aided by the unlocked / moved bolt.

Rotating Bolt
System utilizes internal mechanism to lock the breech or rear barrel assembly prior to firing.

Gas-Operated
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

.223 Remington; 5.56x45mm NATO; 6.8mm Remington SPC; 7.62x39mm

Sample Visuals**

Graphical image of a 5.56mm intermediate rifle cartridge

Graphical image of a 7.62x39mm rifle cartridge

Rounds / Feed

26- or 30-round detachable box magazine (chambering dependent).

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Rate-of-Fire

800
rds/min

M4 Type Carbine - Base Series Name.

M4A2

M4A3 - Removable carrying handle.

6.8mm SPC Rifle

7.62x39mm Carbine