M4

In-game Screenshot of M4

The **M4** is an assault rifle in *Zero Hour*. The gun comes with 7 magazines of 30 rounds each for a total of 210 rounds.

## History

The in-game variant of the **M4** is based on the **M4A1** despite the name and features full auto fire of the latter rather than the burst of the former. The *M4A1* carbine is a fully automatic variant of the basic M4 carbine originally intended for special operations use. The M4A1 was introduced in May 1991 and was in service in 1994. The M4A1 was the first M4 model with the removable carry handle. The M4A1 has a "S-1-F" (safe/semi-automatic/fully automatic) trigger group, while the M4 has a "S-1-3" (safe/semi-automatic/3-round burst) trigger group. The M4A1 was initially only used by almost all U.S special operation units including, but not limited to, Marine Force Recon, Army Rangers, Army Special Forces, Navy SEALs, Air Force Pararescue and Air Force Combat Control Teams. The M4A1 has a maximum effective range of 500 to 600 meters (550–660 yards). The fully automatic trigger gives a more consistent trigger pull, which leads to better accuracy. In addition, the M4A1 has a heavier barrel over the standard M4 for better heat dissipation during sustained automatic fire and allows for the rifle to use the M855A1 EPR. According to Mark A. Westrom, owner of ArmaLite, Inc., automatic fire is better for clearing rooms than burst fire.

The US Army started upgrading all their M4s to the M4A1 standard starting from 2011 which was completed in 2019, making it the standard issued rifle of all US Army units. Like most NATO weapons, the M4 is chambered in the **5.56 X 45mm NATO** cartridge.

## Damage Tables

### Damage per shot:

 Supressor
 Flash Hider

### Number of shots to kill

 Suppressor
 Flash Hider

## Usage and Tactics

Despite the damage reduction while using the barrel attachments, the number of shots per kill when using full auto is barely noticeable. The barrel attachments not only removes the muzzle flash while firing, but also reduces recoil by a small amount. The DPS reduces yes, but the sustained DPS will definitely increase if targets are hit with more shots. This provides more options for users as the trade-off for equipping them is not very punishing. With these barrel attachments, it gives the rifle an advantage over those who use other weapons with compensators due to the lack of muzzle flash coupled with excellent damage performance.

It is also recommended that full auto should be on all the time, as the game focuses a lot on CQC, the number of scenarios were long range engagements occur are uncommon and most of the time situational. Unlike most guns, the first shot recoil of the M4 is noticeably high, which can be used as an advantage when you want to go for headshots as follow up shots will lead straight up to the head. Longer range sustained fire is possible or even recommended if the recoil control of the user is excellent. However, it should be noted that the spread of the spray while full autoing is larger than most weapons, but fairly controllable. Like most weapons, the suppressor reduces damage output and its noticeable when shots hit the arms of the target, but as stated before, the trade off from equipping these attachments is not very noticeable and still gets the job done.

Overall, what the M4 lacks in recoil control at longer ranges is balanced by it's consistent damage performances and flexibility while using attachments. Despite the inability to equip a compensator, the recoil is still very controllable, coupled with it's snappy recoil recovery gives the M4 the ability to one tap enemies at longer ranges. Although usually outgunned by the PDWs in close range, where the M4 shines is mid-long range engagements. This makes the M4 a very popular choice for not just beginners but veterans as well due to its overall balanced performance. Its pretty much a jack of all trades rifle, but a master of none. Consider the M4 the MS Unit's equivalent of the Kyanite.

## Attachments

These are the Current (As of 7/14/21) Attachments you can add to the M4

#### Rails:

* IR Sight
* Flash Light
* IR Sight Black
* STEINER Laser

#### Sights:

* Alphon MXPS2
* Rusco Red Dot
* Diijicon MRO 2.0 Red
* Vertex Viper Gen II
* Weaver Sight
* Alphon W/Magnifier
* Holosun 406A

#### Muzzles:

* Suppressor
* Flash Hider

#### Pads:

* ADS Only
* Inverse ADS

#### Foregrips:

* CAA
* UTG

## Experiences:

"The Gun Will work in just about every Situation. It's very easy to control the recoil but doesn't silence very well." - Zane

"It have a bit of kick to it but the recoil is manageable, real shame that it doesn't have a compensator, it works well for both CQB and as an over-watch rifle, so if in doubt, pick the M4, you can never go wrong with it, and it is the best looking gun on CT, fight me if you disagree."- Sierra

## Trivia:

* The M4 in-game model seems to has a shorter barrel length compared to it's real life counterpart of 14.5 inches.
* The safety selector is also incorrectly labelled, with the "BURST" label in place of the "AUTO".
* The model is probably based on the MK-18 MOD 2 rather than any M4 SOPMOD BLOCKs.
* As of 2021, the M4A1 is the standard issued rifle for the US Army, and is in use by multiple law enforcement agencies and militaries around the world.

## Custom M4's by Players.

M4 with Holo, Suppressor, and LaserM4 with Alphon W/ Magnifier, Supressor and Laser
1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4\_carbine#M4A1