Hey Guys, this might sound a little ignorant on my part being ex-military and all, but can anyone tell me, simply, whats the difference between an M-4 "carbine" and an AR-15?

Thanks in advance,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_Carbine

Thank you, I looked at that already. Maybe I should be more specific...the word "carbine" defined simply states a small automatic rifle. I guess I'm asking if the word "carbine" has some special meaning to it that I haven't found somewhere.

A carbine usually refers to it being shorter. The M4 typically has a 16" barrel. Though carbine could also refer to the really short barrels of 14" or 10".

Carbine meant "short rifle" In the old days ;) Carbine can be a shorter rifle that is carried by a horseman, support unit, or assault squad. The role of the carbine has changed in the last 150 years, from support weapon, to assault weapon. The 1st true carbine, which is a compromise of a full powered Rifle cartridge and a pistol cartridge was the .30 Carbine in WW2. 16" is considered a military carbine today. Jim

Ahhh...thanks guys. So mechanically, there would be no difference then, just a diff. in size. I got it now. Thanks again!

If you shoot that puppy at night...it will blind you for a few minutes...we had that problem with the XM177 Colt Carbine in Vietnam.....that and all the problems with fast buffer groups, chrome bolts, tapered firing pin retaining pins, the horrible flash suppressor and carbon loading which was aggraviated by teh short barrel.

the real news with the M4 is the SOPMOD kit. It makes it an effective weapon...but...it is still a stone ***** to keep clean in the field.


Ahhh...thanks guys. So mechanically, there would be no difference then, just a diff. in size. I got it now. Thanks again!