Infantry Weapons

M4/M4A1 carbine

The M4/M4A1 carbine is the U.S.-origin 5.56mm service rifle family that remained in Israeli infantry use and received wartime replenishment during the Israel-Hamas War.

Conflict side
Israel
Built by
Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC
Built in
United States
M4/M4A1 carbine, Carbine, Infantry Weapons

Profile

Type
Carbine
Conflict side
Israel
Origin
United States
Service note
Cold War to present

Service History

In service
Entered U.S. service in 1994; retained in Israeli infantry inventory and wartime replenishment.
Used by
Israel Defense Forces
Wars
Israel-Hamas War

Production History

Designer
Colt's Manufacturing Company
Designed
1980s
Built by
Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC
Built in
United States
Unit cost
Varies by contract and configuration
Produced
1987-present
Number built
Millions produced across the M4 family
Variants
M4, M4A1

Specifications

Caliber
5.56x45mm NATO
Length
29.75 in closed; 33 in open
Weight
7.75 lb with sling and loaded magazine
Rate of fire
700-970 rpm
Barrel length
14.5 in

Conflict Usage

Israel-Hamas War
Side: IsraelRole: Infantry service riflestrike

The M4/M4A1 carbine was supplied to the IDF during the Israel-Hamas War as wartime replenishment for infantry units.

M4/M4A1 carbine Images

Related Weapon Systems

Barrett M82A1 / M107, Semi-automatic .50 BMG anti-materiel rifle, Infantry WeaponsInfantry WeaponsBarrett M82A1 / M107Semi-automatic .50 BMG anti-materiel rifleThe Barrett M82A1, standardized in U.S. service as the M107 family, is a recoil-operated semi-automatic .50 BMG anti-materiel rifle built for long-range fire against vehicles, equipment, and protected positions. In the Yemen Civil War, ARES documented M82A1 rifles in Houthi-aligned hands in 2015, with the likely acquisition route tied to captured Yemeni stocks or coalition battlefield losses rather than a clearly documented new supply line.

Sources