Do Marines use the M4 or the M16?

The short answer is that the M4 carbine has become the standard-issue rifle for most Marine forces, while the M16 is still used by some select units. But how did we get here? As a military weapons aficionado, let‘s dive into the details on one of the most extensive armament transitions in the storied history of the Marine Corps.

The Rise of the M4 as Today‘s Marine Corps Rifle

The M16 rifle powered Marine infantry for five decades since Vietnam. But around 2010, the Marine Corps began outfitting infantry battalions and other frontline units with the M4 carbine. This new primary infantry weapon offers enhanced portability and maneuverability over the classic M16 in close quarters battle situations.

In fact, today approximately 90% of Marine infantry forces carry the M4 as their go-to rifle. The transition was formalized in October 2015 when the Commandant dictated that M4s would replace M16s across infantry battalions, security forces, and supporting training schools. This wholesale swap was scheduled for completion by the end of the following year.

Why the M4 is Preferred for Modern Combat

So why retire the M16 after so many years of faithful service? While it remains accurate and reliable, Marine Corps leadership determined that the shorter and lighter M4 is better aligned to the fluid, fast-moving tactics required for expeditionary warfare in the 21st century.

With its compact 14.5” barrel and collapsible stock, the M4 brings critical advantages in close quarters engagements. With the ability to attach accessories like optics and flashlights, it is a highly versatile and customizable weapon modular system as well. These factors make the M4 better suited to house-to-house searches, vehicle interactions, urban combat, and other scenarios common in modern, dynamic battlespaces. Its size also makes it less burdensome when Marines are patrolling with heavy loadouts.

The Precision M16 Still Has a Role

Does this mean the M16 has been completely retired from action? Not exactly yet. While most units field their riflemen with M4s, the M16 remains a specialty weapon for some Marine elements like designated marksmen.

The M16‘s 20-inch barrel provides higher muzzle velocity and slightly better accuracy at long range compared to the M4 platform. So while the M4 might be superior for clearing buildings in Fallujah, you still want that enhanced precision from your #3 firing specialist perched on a distant rooftop.

Let‘s compare key specs between the two weapons in more detail:

The M4 is Here to Stay

Given the great balance of portability and reliability, it becomes clear why the Marine Corps chose to expand M4 adoption even further. There is a plan in place to outfit all Marine riflemen, including automatic riflemen, with the new M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). This replaces both the M4 and M249 light machine gun at the infantry squad level.

The M27 maintains key components of the M4 platform while adding automatic fire capabilities beyond the M4‘s 3-round burst mode. This demonstrates a commitment by the Corps to constantly evaluate and evolve infantry weapons based on battlefield feedback and emerging technologies.

So while legends like the M16 still linger, the M4 is undoubtedly here to stay as the Marine Corps’ primary individually-issued weapon for decades to come due to its versatility for modern warfare. We can expect continual incremental upgrades to this rifle as new technologies arise. How these real-world weapons transitions influence gameplay and realism in military-style games also makes this a fascinating topic!

But that’s a debate we can continue another time. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions on the Marine rifles past, present and future!