AR 15 vs M4: A Comprehensive Analysis of Differences

Undeniably, two of the most important guns in modern history are the M4 Carbine and the AR 15 rifle. These two weapons have a long and illustrious history as well as numerous design aspects, yet they are also distinguishable in key respects. Hence, that explains the long debate about AR 15 vs M4 Carbine, as they have interesting differences and similarities. First impressions are that these two weapons are practically indistinguishable from one another. In reality, there is plenty of overlap between the two, leading to confounding questions regarding their distinctions. 

For a quick comparison, what distinctively sets the M4 apart from the AR 15 is its ability to switch between full-auto and burst firing. Although both are fully automatic, select-fire combat rifles in the military, their histories, design elements, and handling qualities set them apart. The history, similarities, and differences between these two rifles, as well as certain specimens that may be bought and used by civilians today, have been extensively debated and examined by both firearms enthusiasts and the public at large. 

Today, let’s settle the long debate of AR 15 vs M4 Carbine because it is discussed in this guide every relevant information about them. There is no need to feel confused about the AR 15 and M4 because this is the right place to know everything about them, starting with their specs and origin. Let’s get started. 

AR 15 vs M4: Specs

Take a close look at the must-know specifications that AR 15 and M4 can offer. You can have a better clue about M4 Carbine vs AR15, so check them out below. 

	AR 15	M4
Barrel Length	14.5 in.	16 in. or more
Shapes	Hourglass	Normal
Stocks	Collapsible	Fixed
Caliber	5.56×45 MM or 0.223 REM	0.22LR to 0.50 BEOWULF
Automatic Action	Semi-Automatic	Semi-Automatic (has option for Full-Auto)

After reviewing the fundamentals with AR 15 vs M4 and we’ve established that, let’s briefly introduce the two of them with their origin and history. You never know unless you try what would work best till you go back to the basics. So, don’t skip that part because the information will always be handy. 

Origin of the Rifles

A quite interesting fact about the origin of rifles is that their most significant innovations happened some years after the Second World War. During WW2 combat, the soldiers are forced to carry heavy weapons over long distances. That means they suffered from heavyweight firearms that took a toll on their energy and strength. With that happening, gunmakers tried to solve the dilemma by creating lightweight guns to replace heavy weapons. 

Sure, gunmakers have solved the issue regarding the weight of heavy weapons by providing lightweight guns. But another issue occurred in which the lightweight guns are not powerful enough to effectively deliver bullets over long distances. Hence, they are somewhat useless. Because of that, the military across the world has decided to produce rifles. That has been a good thing because rifles have become longer yet lighter firearms that could impressively hit targets further away with more power.   

Regarding the M4 Carbine, the “M” in the name stands for “Model.” That’s why discussing the M4 Carbine means exploring the details of the fourth model of the Carbine gun. Well, every gun has its own series of models, in which each model shines for different purposes. Take the M1 rifle, for example. It has earned a great reputation and is known to be a WW2 legend firearm. Meanwhile, the M2 just settled to be a good training rifle that fires in small cartridges.

When it comes to the series of famous M-weapons, the M1, M2, M3, and M4 Carbines were the ones that have been true combat firearms. They grew in popularity when the soldiers wanted reliable firearms during WW2 that could help them shoot enemies over 300-400 yards. These Carbines were also the reason for the development of newer rifles like the M16 and the AR 15. In fact, it was developed by Eugene Stoner in the 1950s with the intention of it to replace the venerated M1 rifle from the Second World War.

As the AR 15 was paired with full-auto capabilities and comes with a huge variety of calibers and barrel lengths, there is no wonder that it has been an early favorite of special forces in Vietnam and an effective replacement for no fewer than 5 different firearms. One thing is certain: the AR 15 and M4 have a rich origin. Thus, let’s quickly explore their history and background below. 

AR 15 vs M4: A Brief Overview and Background 

Find out the fundamentals with a brief overview of the background and history of AR 15 and M4. Let’s start with the history of AR 15. 

History of AR 15

ArmaLite was established by George Sullivan in Hollywood, California, and it is a subsidiary of Fairchild Aircraft Corporation. After the establishment of the corporation, Eugene Stoner was brought on as the head engineer. After WWII, the United States and pretty much everyone else started seeking a new service rifle to replace their existing standards. To go with it, a new, universally approved cartridge.

The procedure itself is fascinating, and there are certainly some wild anecdotes to be told about it, but such details are beyond the scope of this piece. To cut a long story short, it decided upon the 7.6251 NATO cartridge. It was time for the United States to have a new rifle to go with it. To identify a new US standard-issue rifle, the Infantry Board Service Rifle Trials began testing in 1952.

ArmaLite’s ground-breaking design was cutting-edge for its time. The AR-10’s lightweight, thanks to its construction from mostly plastic and aluminum, was a selling point for many buyers. The T44 weighed 9.2 pounds, and the T48 weighed 10.2 pounds, which is a significant reduction.

Both the AR 10 and the AR 15 have very similar fundamental design principles. The only difference between the AR 15 and the original is the size; all other functional components are identical. Although the AR 15 served as inspiration and the basis for subsequent developments, the original design was never commercially released. ArmaLite could not complete the arduous testing process and widespread adoption of the AR 15.

Later on, the company ended up selling the property for the AR 15 rifle to Colt. Since Colt is considered one of the biggest gunmakers in the world, it quickly launched the 601 rifles. They are based on the AR 15 design. Very soon after that, Colt 601 was adopted by the military. Then, in 1962, the US Army adopted the firearm for official use and renamed it to be the M16 rifle. With that said, the M16 rifle—which is among the most long-standing popular choices of the US military—is actually the latest version of the original AR 15 rifle. 

History of M4

Carbine variations for use in close quarters and by vehicle crews were being tested by Colt well before the M16 rifle was formally adopted into service. The CAR 15 family of weapons comprised the CAR 15 Carbine, CAR-15 Model 607 Submachine Gun, and the CAR 15 Survival Rifle. They were originally suggested as a modular Military Weapons System to demonstrate the flexibility of the rifle platform. Not included in the CAR 15 Military Weapons System, Colt also made the Colt Commando, which saw limited use in Vietnam with the US Army Special Forces and the multi-service MACV-SOG.

Since the M4 is based on the AR 15 and M16, there isn’t as much to explain about its background. There was an immediate demand for a carbine variant of the M16 among the armed forces after its introduction. So, in 1966, Colt started making the Colt Commando XM177. The Commando was effective. However, its shortened barrel limited its range and accuracy. Therefore, Colt started working on the XM4 in 1984.

The specific purpose of this project was to create a single carbine that incorporated the best features of both the Commando and the new and improved M16 design, the M16A2. After ten years of refinement and testing, the XM4 was given a new moniker: M4. In 1994, it was officially adopted by the United States military.

Today, soldiers are still issued both the M4 and the M16 (in its latest iteration, the M16A4). Also, the M16 has been used by American forces for longer than any other rifle model.

AR 15 vs M4: Contrasting Characteristics

Based on the brief overview of history and background above, we now know that the AR 15 and M4 belong to the same family of firearms. That’s why the similarity in design between the two rifles is to be expected while the debate of M4 vs AR 15 rifles is still popular. Interestingly, the M4 is commonly referred to as the “military AR 15” and vice versa. However, it cannot be considered to be true. The M4 is the carbine adaptation of the M16, the actual military standard bearer for the AR 15.

With that said, it is truly vital to uncover the contrasting characteristics of the AR 15 and M4 to be clear about their differences. Here are some of them: 

Classification 

Classification is the term used to describe the bracket of the ‘type of gun’ in which a firearm falls. While there are a lot of categories, the government, gun lobbies, and more are the ones deciding the classification of each firearm. As for the AR 15 and M4, they fall into different classifications. Even if both of them come with the basic structure of a rifle, there is still a precise distinction. 

For starters, the original Armalite AR 15 has been clearly classified as an assault rifle, which has a precise industrial definition. The military generally uses an assault rifle. Also, it is the kind of firearm that can transform between a semi-automatic and automatic mode. More than that, an assault rifle also intermediates between a rifle and a submachine gun. 

On the flip side, the M4 falls into the classification of a selective fire carbine. There is just a thin line that differentiates the two in terms of classification. Still, the M4 is the one that is closer to the category of submachine guns since the AR 15 is much closer to the rifle category. 

Barrel Length

The length of the barrel is arguably the most obvious distinction. The length of the M4 is 14.5 inches, whereas that of the AR 15 is 16 inches. You may get AR 15s that have been modified to have 20-inch barrels. Because the gas tube is shorter on a shorter barrel, it may operate at lower pressure. The AR 15 is built with fixed stock, whereas the M4 stock can be folded down. However, because many people modify their AR 15s, this may alter.

Gun Length 

Since the AR 15 and M4 have different barrel length sizes, it is obvious that they differ in overall gun length. In fact, the M4 is purposely designed to be a little smaller than the classic AR 15. That means you will find the original ArmaLite AR 15 with a measure of 39 inches in length, while the M4 Carbine measures only 33 inches. The reason why the M4 is smaller is that it follows the military needs, specifications, and guidelines. The M4 Carbine rifle is a military weapon, after all.  

Presence of Gas Tube

In any firearm, the structure and size are vital factors in shaping its internal combustion mechanism. Another essential component of a weapon is its gas tube. Since firing a bullet is a combustion process, there is no question why a gun needs a gas tube. Well, the gas tube helps with releasing all the gas generated in the gun. 

M4’s gas tube is shorter than that of an AR 15’s because the latter has a longer barrel. Concerning the tube, the barrel’s length is reasonable. To further manage recoil, the gas tube of the AR 15 is also longer. Meanwhile, as the tube is shorter, there may be pressure issues. Hence, the M4 has a modified feed ramp. It is a form adjustment that guarantees solid dependability, smooth shooting results, and proper cycle and operation of the next round.

While the AR 15 and M4 have different gas tube lengths, there is no doubt that both of them fire smoothly. The only edge of the M4 is that it has additional measures to achieve the hassle-free firing of every shooting round. 

Ballistics: Velocity and Effective Firing Range

The ballistics—specifically the velocity and effective firing range—is considered the highlight of the differences between M4 and AR 15. Of course, the structure of a gun also determines the firing range capacity. The muzzle velocity of a bullet also strongly relies upon the gun’s build. What’s interesting about the battle of AR 15 vs M4 is that the two weapons are impressive close competitors in terms of speed and range. They both utilize the 5.56 x 45 mm bullet cartridges, which is another factor in ballistics. 

Generally, the effective shooting range of the AR 15 rifle is 500 yards. The M4 Carbine rifle is 550 yards. That means that there is no highly significant difference in terms of the range performance. On the other hand, the two differ in velocity. Digging into numbers, the muzzle velocity of a bullet from an AR 15 is 3,300 fps. The muzzle velocity of a bullet from an AR15 is 3,300 fps, while the M4 Carbine can produce about 2,970 fps muzzle velocity for the same bullet. 

Since velocity can affect the function of each firearm, the AR 15 and M4 have different performances, which are influenced by this ballistic factor. Based on the numbers, the M4 has a lesser velocity, which makes it ideal for close combat situations for rapid firing. On the other hand, AR 15 is great for both mid-range and long-range combat. Clearly, it is undeniable that the structure strongly influences the function of a firearm. 

Caliber

Every single M4 is chambered in the same standard 5.56x45mm round. Meanwhile, it is possible to get a wide range of cartridge sizes for the AR 15. The variety of AR 15s available is a result of the several companies that produce them and the many individuals who specialize in modifying them. 

Upper receivers for AR 15s are a common upgrade since they provide unlimited design freedom for the firearm. If you are a hunter who is interested in both small and big animals, or if you simply want a rifle with some serious oomph, you may customize your AR 15 to your heart’s content by choosing a caliber that suits your needs.

Automatic Action

Interestingly, this is the difference between AR 15 and M4, in which the latter is the clear winner. That happens because the M4 is particularly designed with an extra room of specific dimensions, permitting the installation of an auto sear. It is a vital component that allows a switch to the automatic fire mode. Also, the M4 comes with multiple trigger circuits that support the automatic action option. These circuits are absent in AR 15. Therefore, the M4 is the one that dispenses rapid bursts of fire with a single press of the trigger.  

Basically, there are two modes: the semi-automatic fire mode and the fully automatic mode. In the semi-automatic fire mode, both the M4 and AR 15 fire just a single bullet with every press of the trigger. With that said, you need to pull the trigger again if you want to fire another shot. Simply put, it is a one-at-a-time shot with each press of the trigger. Meanwhile, the fully automatic mode allows the firing of multiple bullets until you release the trigger or all the ammo in the magazine already expends.  

The good thing about the M4 being a military firearm is that it has the option of an automatic action mode. While the AR 15 lacks the design that accepts the installation of an auto sear, so it is only capable of semi-auto firing. That doesn’t sound too bad since the performance of AR 15 is already great for civilian shooters. Plus, the M4 is mostly for military use. So it might be hard for a civilian to have one, given that the firearm is patterned to meet the military needs. 

Official Permission

Surely, one of the most notable differences between the AR 15 and M4 is getting official permission to own them. Most law-abiding civilians are allowed to possess an AR 15 to be used for different shooting purposes, such as self-defense and hunting. Contrary to that, the M4 is used for the military. Civilians rarely have a chance to own this firearm, and if permitted, there will certainly be a lot of requirements.

Usage 

The usage of the M4 and AR 15 is definitely a noteworthy difference. Because the M4 is strictly a military firearm, it can ensure automatic fire or rapid burst option. That performance is ideal for military use in close-range encounters. It is very rare for civilians to get their hands on this military weapon, especially when getting legal permission can be a very tricky aspect. 

On the flip side, the AR 15 is known as a civilian firearm. That means every law-abiding and qualified civilian can possess one. It is legal for use and mostly takes a role in hunting and self-defense applications. Since it is a firearm for civilians, getting a permit is relatively easy. Therefore, you can get an AR 15 anytime, anywhere, if you have all the requirements. 

Since the military already has the M4, the AR 15 is not used by it. In short, the AR 15 is for civilians, while the M4 is for the military—this is undeniably the solid difference they have. 

AR 15 vs M4: Common Grounds

The AR 15 and M4 are quite similar weapons, despite their variances. Many of the parts are interchangeable between the two, including the charging handle, trigger assembly, and large portions of the upper and lower receiver, as well as the bolt carrier group. Both handguards and rail systems may be used interchangeably. All things considered, it doesn’t matter which gun you choose, you’ll be perfectly competent with either one.

All three of those parts—the bolt carrier group, the charging handle, and the trigger assembly—are identical. Both the top and lower receivers of each gun continue to have essentially the same internal components. While often compared in the topic of AR 15 vs M4, the two firearms still have similarities: their origin and structure.  

AR 15 vs M4: Which is Better?

With all that said above, the M4 is preferable compared to the AR 15. M4 has evolved with the advancement of technology to become more cutting-edge, practical, and trustworthy. And that’s why the US military switched to using this weapon instead of the M16.

The M4 may be superior, but it is illegal for citizens to acquire it due to the fact that it is a full-auto weapon. These weapons are available, but in almost identical forms. The only way to get a similar gun without the full auto mode is to buy an AR 15 and modify it with a shorter barrel and M4 handguards.

Both firearms have shown themselves reliable throughout time, and are now widely considered to be the best of their kind. Since the ammunition for both guns is the same, we must compare and contrast their capabilities. The M4 Carbine is superior to the AR 15 in this regard due to its automatic firing mode. Even if it were the only indicator of success, it would still be a coup for both weapons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below is some more relevant information about the debate of AR 15 vs M4. If you have questions in your mind or want to clear some things, let’s dive deep into the frequently asked questions: 

Final Thoughts 

Indeed, the debate about AR 15 vs M4 is not to prove that one firearm is inferior to another. Instead, the debate exists intending to clear the differences between the two firearms. It is just a simple argument, but that doesn’t change the fact that the AR 15 and M4 are both impressive innovations in firearms technology. While the M4 is evidently more evolved compared to AR 15, the more important thing is that both have their place and usage. 

This informative guide has made it very clear that the AR 15 is ideal for civilians, while the M4 is strictly for military use. Plus, the AR 15 is just as effective and impeccable firearm, especially when used in its best applications. Ultimately, the two have been very effective and efficient in their spheres, satisfying their users for decades until now. 

Hopefully, you find this guide helpful to be clear about the AR 15 vs M4 topic. If you want to see more like this informative guide, explore the Survival Gear Shack website today.