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Posted: 8/25/2026 6:21:32 PM EDT
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All comments welcome. |
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it would be neat. it's an unnecessary expense. Even in a special operations unit with a (functionally) unlimited ammo budget, it wasn't really something that was an issue. The better the training, the better the shot each rifleman/grenadier/team leader/squad leader was, which led to a decrease in rounds per engagement (hits=kills=less follow on shots) |
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| From what I understand the military is trying their hardest to get rid of the M4 and move into the M7/8 future. I guess SOCOM units might put more effort into upgrading their M4s but I guess for the big army and marines they probably want to get rid of the damn thing more than upgrading it. |
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Originally Posted By dalle0001: From what I understand the military is trying their hardest to get rid of the M4 and move into the M7/8 future. I guess SOCOM units might put more effort into upgrading their M4s but I guess for the big army and marines they probably want to get rid of the damn thing more than upgrading it. Marines have not gone the M7/M8 route. They went HK some years back and parked their M249s. |
| Fluting is an affectation and creates potential problems, so no. |
This is...a clue - Pat_Rogers
I'm not adequately aluminumized for this thread. - gonzo_beyondo
CO, MI, OR - Please lobby your legislators to end discrimination against non-resident CCW permit holders
I'm not adequately aluminumized for this thread. - gonzo_beyondo
CO, MI, OR - Please lobby your legislators to end discrimination against non-resident CCW permit holders
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PERFORMANCE VALIDATION OF M4A1 HELICAL FLUTED BARREL DESIGN, AUGUST 2016, U.S. Army ARDEC, WSEC,Weapons Systems & Technology Directorate, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ "The M4A1 carbine barrel helical fluting concepts developed in a prior effort were fabricated and tested to validate predicted performance improvements. Live-fire testing was conducted with M855 ball ammunition. Target dispersion and bore erosion data was analyzed against established performance requirements for the M4/M4A1 carbine. Heat absorption/dissipation rates and cook-off resistance characteristics were also analyzed. Results demonstrated increased barrel cooling rates, decreased barrel erosion rates, and equivalent target and accuracy performance for the helical fluting concepts tested. In order to determine if the helical fluting concepts developed for the M4A1 barrel can effectively increase cook-off resistance and increase bore erosion service life, larger sample sizes should be used to establish results of statistical significance." As to the barrel profile, that will remain as there are barrel mounted accessories designed around the 0.75" barrel. |
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Originally Posted By Stillnothere: No? But we should ditch the 203 cut now that everyone has switched to 302's This. Fluted barrels on actual combat weapons would be dirt collectors, and not improve the handling in an appreciable way. I’m not saying the barrel profile is perfect, but fluting ain’t a good fit for this workhorse carbine. |
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Get rid of the M203 cut and have the rifle come standard with a better rail. Fluting looks cool and reduces some weight, but it's not ncessary. Originally Posted By dalle0001: From what I understand the military is trying their hardest to get rid of the M4 and move into the M7/8 future. I guess SOCOM units might put more effort into upgrading their M4s but I guess for the big army and marines they probably want to get rid of the damn thing more than upgrading it. Respectfully, you understand it wrong. No one except Big Army is investing in the M7/M8, and not wholeheartedly. They recently ordered more M4s from both Colt and FN. SOCOM's moving away from the basic M4, but sticking with other AR type rifles. |
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Originally Posted By lew: Get rid of the M203 cut and have the rifle come standard with a better rail. Fluting looks cool and reduces some weight, but it's not ncessary. Respectfully, you understand it wrong. No one except Big Army is investing in the M7/M8, and not wholeheartedly. They recently ordered more M4s from both Colt and FN. SOCOM's moving away from the basic M4, but sticking with other AR type rifles. I would like to see markings on the new Colts that are shipping. The new FN M4A1s have their stylized commercial logo. |
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Originally Posted By lew: Get rid of the M203 cut and have the rifle come standard with a better rail. Fluting looks cool and reduces some weight, but it's not ncessary. Respectfully, you understand it wrong. No one except Big Army is investing in the M7/M8, and not wholeheartedly. They recently ordered more M4s from both Colt and FN. SOCOM's moving away from the basic M4, but sticking with other AR type rifles. Yep. The URGI is standard issue for Army SF in 11.5 and 14.5. It fixes the m4 203 cut barrel issues. |
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No, the M4 is already a very light service rifle. Fluting does not "strengthen" the barrel compared to the same barrel by diameter, it weakens it. It is only stronger when compared to a non-fluted barrel of the same weight. And fluting will just capture mud, dust, and crud. |
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Joined:
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Posts:
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EE: 100% (1)
SC, USA
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Originally Posted By rifleman2000: No, the M4 is already a very light service rifle. Fluting does not "strengthen" the barrel compared to the same barrel by diameter, it weakens it. It is only stronger when compared to a non-fluted barrel of the same weight. And fluting will just capture mud, dust, and crud. Depends on how you define strength. They are weaker with respect to internal pressure compared to a non-fluted barrel of the same weight. |
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