Two Army units to get M-4 rifles Thursday

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 3): Two Army units to get M-4 rifles Thursday

With the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday announced that it is equipping its 59th and 79th Infantry Battalions with the newly-acquired Remington M-4 assault rifle.

Distribution of the new weapons to the troops will take place at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija Thursday afternoon, AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said.

The initial batch of 27,300 units out of the 63,000 M-4s units acquired for the AFP arrived last July.

The M-4 is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, selective fire, shoulder-fired weapon with a telescoping stock and 14.5 inch (370 mm) barrel to ease close quarters combat.

It fires the .223 caliber, or 5.56 mm NATO round.

"The M-4 carbine is a lighter and shorter variant of the M-16A2 assault rifle. The two have roughly 80 percent of their parts in common (and thus) cost efficient," the AFP earlier said.

And despite its short length, the M-4 has a point target range of 500 meters and area target range of 600 meters.

This is greater than the 460 maximum effective range of the M-16A1 assault rifle.

Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato earlier said said that the M-4 can fire a more heavy shell than the M-16 automatic rifle it is replacing, thus ensuring greater damage to its target.

It can do this due to so-called "rifle twisting".

"The old M-16s have a 1-in-12 twist while the M-4s have a 1-in-7 twist making more powerful," he added.

Detoyato stated that the M-4 can be more easily upgraded with modern sighting devices.

"The new M-4s (are) ready for enhancements as it is the A3 model. Its carry handle is removable (thus ensuring) its conversion as 'flattop' rifle with Picattiny rail for night vision gear. It also has a handguard to accommodate TGT designators, flash lights and many other items," he added.

And due to its smaller size than the M-16, Detoyato said the M-4 is more easier to carry in foliage and inside vehicles.

With this characteristics, the weapon is more easier to fire and reload during engagements, he added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=679688