I want to share this information especially with those that constantly talk about the failure of the M4. I am not going to give complete details for reasons of OPSEC.
A few days ago the SF team I was working with went out on a mission. The area was up around Kandahar. The area became hot very quickly and needless to say it was a “target rich” environment. Most of the team has the Mk18 upper as well as their standard M4 uppers for use. In addition they have SPR’s and KAC M110’s.
One of the team members gave me an accounting of his actions that day. He was using an M4 carbine loaded with Black Hills Mk 262 MOD 1 ammunition, produced in 2004.
The team had a total of 20 confirmed KIA and this team member in question had 2 of those. In both cases he was outside of the traditional distances. The first kill was done at approx. 600M and the second at 800M!
IIRC he hit the targets with 2-3 rounds and the hits were considered center of mass (main upper torso). I have heard similar accounts from other personnel.
I believe that this shows that two of the most important factors are shot placement and using the proper ammunition. Instead of poo-pooing the M4’s effectiveness we should start to look at issuing ammunition that is more effective than M855.
A big “high-five” to those involved - great job! Thanks for sharing this, good to hear and I agree with your assessment that with proper ammo this weapon can be enhanced in it’s performance capabilities.
I couldn’t agree more. I would be curious to hear how the new Mk318 ammunition that is said to be fielded by the Marine Corps is performing for them, both at CQB distances, and at longer ranges.
I’m very glad to hear the SF guys you mentioned came out of their engagement ok.
IG- Good to hear the guys kicked some ass. A superior ammunition as compared to M855 transitions the M4 into a more effective weapon with better capabilities. It seems common sense, but most don’t consider this part of the M4 equation. Thanks for bringing this to many peoples attention. Especially since we know the source to be a reputable one.
Ammo is utterly central to the whole M4 package, and to a lesser extent, that of the A2/A4 rifles. Way
past time to unload the M855 and belly up to performance taylored ammo. Just makes gobs of sense
to me, and how many years will we have to wait for high performance general issue!!
Obviously, the “rumor” of the M4/5.56 being not effective comes primarily from the military. The thing people don’t realize is that when the mil. is talking about it, they are talking about much farther ranges than a citizen or leo would be likely to encounter.
At much more conservative ranges (like anything within 100 yards), the 5.56/.223 is extremely effective and very damaging.
I read an article regarding a LE advisor /trainer in Iraq who was issued ammo other than m855-I recall it being perhaps some sort of 50gr sp or hp. while engagment ranges were short, the better designed bullet did it’s job. I imagine it is resistance that always comes from the mainstream military when SF uses something and finds it effective that the whole mil hasn’t gone to mk262 ammo across the board.
In terms of what? Terminal ballistics? I believe it’s slightly inferior because it’s a penetrator type round and doesn’t fragment as easily but I don’t think it’s profoundly significant.