Background -- Concerns with M-4 reliability and lethality -- Special Forces opts to replace the M-4 -- Potential issues for Congress
Summary
The M-4 carbine is the Army's primary individual combat weapon for infantry units. The M-4 uses a direct gas impingement system that blows carbon from the fired cartridge back into the weapon's receiver, which can lead to weapon malfunctions. The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is replacing its M-4s with the Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR). It is a modular weapon with a short-stroke piston system which eliminates carbon blow back that theoretically improves reliability. Some have questioned why the Army has not adopted the SCAR or another similarly designed weapon. A series of studies and tests of the M-4 and potential competitors have added to this debate, and the Army has taken steps to begin evaluating other weapons in late 2009 to replace the M-4
Notes
"June 24, 2009."
"RS22888."
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references
Notes
Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (HeinOnline, viewed Jun. 25, 2018)
