Mechanized Steel

Travis Sedillo

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Mechanized Steel by Travis Sedillo ill be covering some key
information about the M4 cycle of operations and ammunition types used by the
weapon. Bellow are listed some reference slides if youd like to skip around.
History and Employment
Nomenclature
M4 Cycle of Operations
M4 and Effect
Ammunition
Ammunition and Effect

History and Employment of M4 Carbine

The M4 Carbine is a lightweight, gas operated, air
cooled, magazine fed and shoulder fired weapon.
The M4 was adopted in 2007 by U.S Armed Forces
replacing its variant brother the M-16 as the primary
weapon used to combat terrorism in operations Iraqi
Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF).
The change for the weapon was the need for close
quarter combat which the m-16 had difficulty clearing
rooms swiftly and safety. Because of the compact size
of the m4 (29.75 inches closed buttstock) compared to
the M-16 ( 39.625 inches) this was a breakthrough for
warfighters without sacrificing stopping power. The M16 is still used today but primarily for marksmen I.E.
snipers and counter snipers.

Nomenclature
To understand the M4 operations
we need to take a quick look at
what its made of and how key
parts come in to play later.
Upper receiver group ( barrel,
compensator, sights,
handguards, upper receiver, slip
ring, gas tube)

Bolt carrier group ( Bolt cam pin,

bolt, bolt carrier, bolt carrier key,
gas rings, extractor, firing pin,
retaining pin, ejector)
Lower receiver group ( Buffer
spring, trigger, grip, hammer,
takedown pins, buffer, magazine
release, safety selector )

M4 Cycle of Operation
The cycle of operations begins when a round
from the magazine is chambered by the bolt
into the barrel of the carbine locking the
ammunition securely into place. This is done by
using the bolt catch release from the open bolt
position. The operator then pulls the trigger
which slams the firing pin into the primer of
the casing expelling 52,000 psi of gas into the
gas tube which is redirected back to the bolt
into the buffer spring. The gas is key for this
process, without enough pressure in the gas
tube the weapon will fail the next process. The
bolt pushes backward into the stock and the
extractor pin drags the spent casing out
pushing it into ejector port. The spring then
pushes the bolt forward extracting another
round from the magazine and rechambers for
the process to repeat again.

But what does that mean? Critically it is important to

understand that without enough pressure from a fired round
the process can not complete itself. However it may still be
fired but the operator will manually have to charge each shot.

M4 Cycle of Operations (Gas)

Once the projected is fired and begins to
push out of the barrel. The gas and energy
expelling the round is forced up into a tube
before the bullet leaves the rifle which
captures the gas and redirects it back
towards the upper receiver over the barrel
into the gas key which is connected to the
bolt which gives it enough energy to reset
the gun and continue firing without having
the manually charging your weapon. Each
round takes 52,000 psi to complete a full
cycle of operations. If the pressure isnt
met then the weapon will not have enough
energy to push the bolt back causing jams
and misfeeds.

Gas Tube

M4 and the Effect

Mechanical Forces
Essential the weapon revolves around gas as stated in the
previous slide. It can be fired by charging the weapon over and
over however this would be the worst case scenario in a military
combative operation. A failure to pressurize the chamber can
result in two effects. The weapon does not chamber and or
creates a double feed where it failed to eject the casing and a new
round is pinched against the spent one. In this situation it can be
extremely dangerous. One problem is that if the second round is
fired on top of another an explosion can occur caused by the
kinetic energy of the ammunition and with no where to escape it
looks for the weakest part of the upper receiver and lower
receiver to escape creating a shrapnel effect. This may result in
serious bodily harm or even death. The second situation is that a
misfired round caused by a bad primer still has the potential to
fire but on delay.

Double feed explosion

M4 and the Effect (Cont.)

Another effect is the Run Away Gun. This
occurs when a weapon is fired repeatedly
and the upper receiver becomes so hot
that the bullet will fire without pulling the
trigger. These sustained thermal events
are easily identified when the barrel gets
red to white hot and will glow. The
average temperature for ammunition to
cook off is 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
However it is still very possible to occur in
a prolonged fire fight in a fixed position.
This is more dangerous for any weapon
that fires from the open bolt position
because it creates a run away gun. Thats
your squad automatic machine guns and
higher. The only way to prevent a run away
gun is to break the link of the chain of
ammunition to prevent it firing further.

Ammunition
The ammunition that is strictly used by the M4 is
the M193 Ball, M196 Trace, M199 Dummy, M200
Blank, M855 Ball and M856 Tracer ( Most
commonly used with the M855 Ball )
Each Ammunition type is unique and can be
identified by certain markers or colors.
For example the M855 Ball is a brass casing with
a green tip as the M856 Tracer is in a brass
casing with a orange tip. These two ammunition
types are used together primary in a staggered 4
to 1 ratio. This allows operators to trace rounds
at night every 4 shot which may aid allies
provide better fire support.

Ammunition Physics
Once the triggered is pulled the hammer
strikes the firing pin igniting the potential
energy inside the casing and is then forced
out by a controlled explosion. The bullet
than travels straight down the 14.5 inch
barrel beginning its rotation caused by the
groves inside the barrel known as the
rifling. There are 6 groves in the rifling with
a 1:7 right hand twist rotating the projectile
every 7 inches. This is done purposely to
allow for maximum distance of 3,600
meters and a point target of 500 meters.
You then can apply the RPM formula by
the following equation 2970ft/s (muzzle
velocity) by 720 in (twist ratio) to find the
bullets rotation per minute. Dang thats
pretty fast!

Ammunition and Effect

What makes up the ammunition you ask? The M855 ball was
actually first adopted by NATO in 1980 and provided
improved armor penetration characteristics and much
better retained velocity and higher ranges. Even though it is
not an armor piercing round it still retains better
penetration from its overall design.
The M855 Ball is made of a brass casing. Inside is 55 grains
of propellant powder that when triggered by the primer
causes a closed explosion expelling the bullet from the
casing and out the barrel. Upon impact the Kinetic energy
depending on the material will cause it to split and spread
apart causing devastating damage.
The M856 Tracer is much like the ball however the round
emits light over the distance traveled. This is caused by a
hollow base that is filled with pyrotechnic flare material (
usually phosphorus or magnesium) that burns over the
course of its distance traveled. When introduced to air it
burns bright at over 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit

Special thanks to ( Sources )

Hall, Howard. "Internal Ballistics Part 1: The Cycle of Operation and Firearm Function." AEGIS ACADEMY. N.p., 09 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
<http://aegisacademy.com/internal-ballistics-part-1-cycle-of-operations-and-firearm-function/>.

Org, Public Resources, and United States Army. "RIFLE, 5.56MM XM16E1 OPERATION AND CYCLE OF FUNCTIONING." YouTube. YouTube, 25 July
2010. Web. 14 Mar. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K5ALBuVdvM>.

Force, Headquarters United States Air, and Washington Dc. Air Force Guidance Memorandum to AFMAN 36-2227, Vol 1, Combat Arms Training
Programs Individual Use Weapons (n.d.): n. pag.Http://www.afsf.lackland.af.mil/. HQ USAF/A1 1040 Air Force Pentagon, Room 4D765 Washington,
DC 20330-1040, 18 July 2013. Web. 14 Mar. 2016. <http://www.afsf.lackland.af.mil/LEOSA/AFMAN%2036-2227_Vol-1_Combat-Arms-TrainingPrograms_Individual-Use-Weapons.pdf>.

Images
http://giphy.com/gifs/m4-carbine-nF6iPSru7N10k
http://giphy.com/gifs/gun-machine-caliber-CdV5KhsPdku52
https://www.google.com/search?q=the+end+is+near+good&rlz=1C1ASUC_enUS616US616&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjWpdG23s
HMAhVDNSYKHWEtDmUQ_AUIBygB&biw=1920&bih=935#imgrc=svoRvyOkkjAT0M%3A
http://giphy.com/gifs/wall-bullet-hits-F8X3Csbh0XT1u
https://www.google.com/search?q=the+end+is+near+good&rlz=1C1ASUC_enUS616US616&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjWpdG23s
HMAhVDNSYKHWEtDmUQ_AUIBygB&biw=1920&bih=935#tbm=isch&q=m4+ammuniton+types&imgrc=NX_VIQZADe_q8M%3A
https://www.google.com/search?q=m4+barrel+explode&rlz=1C1ASUC_enUS616US616&biw=1920&bih=935&tbm=isch&imgil=KRAdeqMFi2wdAM%25
3A%253BWw-oK3LyhLsEbM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.thetruthaboutguns.com%25252F2013%25252F02%25252Ffoghorn%25252Faskfoghorn-whats-the-difference-between-5-56-and-223%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=KRAdeqMFi2wdAM%253A%252CWwoK3LyhLsEbM%252C_&usg=__CY8AitiXgApVcdHaivMos7_tKB8%3D&ved=0ahUKEwikwI7X38HMAhUFPCYKHTWUD08QyjcIJQ&ei=DJ0qV6SKLYX4mA
G1qL74BA#imgrc=KRAdeqMFi2wdAM%3A
https://www.reddit.com/r/funny/comments/2ewz22/the_anatomy_of_freedom/
https://memegenerator.net/instance/66629328
https://www.google.com/search?q=m4+funny&rlz=1C1ASUC_enUS616US616&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjA2LKU4MHMAhWCSC
YKHREcBscQ_AUIBygB&biw=1920&bih=935#tbm=isch&q=Murica&imgrc=IjqQYCSDotY1DM%3A

Ending
Credits