Harrington and Richardson M4

Combat Aviator Bolt-Action Survival Rifle [ 1949 ]

The M4 Survival Rifle was a USAF development of the Cold War period and issued to American aviators as an game-hunting survival weapon.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/10/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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One of the greatest dangers facing combat pilots is being downed over enemy territory. Having survived the ensuing crash, the pilot must then survive long enough to be rescued in some fashion. In the period following World War 2 (1939-1945), the United States Air Force (USAF) teamed with Harrington and Richardson Arms to develop a portable, small-caliber bolt-action-rifle for issuance to American aviators for the purpose of hunting game - this initiative producing the "M4 Survival Rifle". The company was founded in 1871 and is still in existence today (2022).

Based in the company's existing M265 sporting gun, the M4 was chambered in .22 Hornet and intended for the hunting of varmint-sized animals. It was operated through a manually-actuated bolt-action system (the lever set over the right side of the frame) and its overall arrangement was largely conventional. Design features included a 14"-long smooth, rounded barrel assembly (detachable), fixed iron sights fore and aft (blade and peep, respectively), wire pistol grip and trigger unit, magazine feed, and collapsing wire frame shoulder stock.

Weighing approximately 4 lb, the rifle could be made to have a smaller footprint by sliding the wire stock forwards along channeled blocks affixed to either side of the frame. The detachable magazine (taken from the Savage Stevens M23D) held four ready-to-fire cartridges.

The guns were manufactured in 1949 to the tune of 29,344 units solely for the USAF and Canada. The series was eventually superseded by the "M6 Aircrew Survival Weapon" (detailed elsewhere on this site) of similar battlefield scope.

An example of the M4 Survival Rifle is showcased behind glass at the armory exhibit of the United States Air Force Armament Museum in Florida.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Basics [+]

Manufacturer(s)

Harrington and Richardson Arms - USA

Operators

Canada; United States

Service Year

1949

National Origin

United States

SPECIAL FORCES
Qualities of this weapon have shown its value to Special Forces elements requiring a versatile, reliable solution for the rigors of special assignments.

SPECIAL PURPOSE
Special purpose weapon for a specially defined battlefield role.

COMPACT NATURE
Compact nature allows for relatively easy concealment.

BOLT-ACTION SYSTEM
Operating action requires operator management of a bolt-handle or similar, clearing the chamber of spent cartridges and introducing a fresh cartridge from the magazine.

IRON SIGHTS
Supports 'iron sights' allowing for inherent accuracy in ranged fire.

Overall Length

812 mm / 31.97 in

Barrel Length

356 mm / 14.02 in

Weight (Empty)

3.97 lb / 1.80 kg

Action

Manually-Actuated Bolt-Action System.

BOLT-ACTION
Manually-actuated process of managing the bolt lever to eject spent cartridge case, clearing the breech, to introduce fresh catridge into the chamber.

Caliber(s)*

.22 Hornet
*May not represent an exhuastive list; Calibers may be model-specific dependent; Always consult official manufacturer sources.

Feed

4-round detachable box magazine.

Sights

Iron rear peep with front blade.

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.

Rate-of-Fire

4 rpm

M4 Survival Rifle - Base Series Designation.

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Image of the Harrington and Richardson M4

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