AR Sponsor
Posted: 12/17/2010 6:27:08 PM EDT
|
What is the average service length of an M16 or M4 carbine?
Length of service for the M9? I mean rounds fired and years. Thanks in advance. |
| I have no military experience but I would imagine that it varies greatly. Some of our boys overseas will see a firefight every day while some are a little luckier and may carry their same M4 for the whole deployment. I wouldn't doubt if some of the guys who use the shit out of the weapons get at least a new barrel from time to time. I honestly don't know though, I'm interested in knowing the specifics too so consider this a tag! |
| i've seen first generation a1 lowers still in use in pictures i've collected over the years. the mil will pretty much use something until its completely unusable. i know the air force has a lot of older guns/parts still in use because they don't see front line combat like the army and marine corps does. the navy may have some of the older parts still in use as well, especially lower receivers. barrels and bolts are considered wear items and are replaced when needed. |
|
Quoted:
Look at the Israelis there still using 30 yr old M16s that simply get rebarelled and parts replaced and they are still in service. This exactly. That is one of the AR platforms greatest advantages. It is a truly modular weapons system. This is also the hardest part for competitors to over come in striving to find its replacment. The answer to the ops question is hard to answer with out breaking each component of the rifle down. Even then you have many variables. |
| Generally parts are replaced when they are out of spec. They have gages for barrels, bolts, and other critical parts. Unlike vehicle engines and electrical equipment that has a specific number of hours before R&R, guns go by wear/dimensions. Not a definite answer, but I hope this helps. |
AR Sponsor