The U.S. Army has halted its effort to upgrade the ergonomics and accuracy of its M4 carbine assault rifles after it reviewed proposals from industry, Army Times reported Sunday.
Kyle Jahner writes the M4A1+ initiative was part of the Army’s ongoing upgrade of M4s to M4A1s, which the report says is 25 percent complete.
The Army intended to incorporate a heavier barrel into the carbine for prolonged use, safety controls and automatic burst mode after the M4 barrels were distorted in Afghanistan during extended use, according to the report.
During the market survey, the service sought an extended Picatinny rail, a floating barrel, flash suppressor, brownish color for new parts, removable iron sights and a sniper-style single-stage trigger, Jahner reports.
