Question

[Cpl.Roldan]

I was just wondering, how come you see some soldiers in the US and Candian Army that carry M4's/C8 and the rest are carring M16/C7's.

Like in certain pics of the 10th Mountain i see some carrying an M16 and others carrying an M4.

Can someone explain to me?

[Chet Mystery]

Well for the US, More and more units in the US army are trying to switch over to the M4 carbine due to its advancements and easier mobility over the M16. It starts with the more specialized units like the airborn units (101st, 82nd, etc) and 10th mountain, ect. These kind of units see a greater potential in a smaller, more manipulative weapon. However, for simple infanty divisions, the M16 is still primary, except for some officers and such, for now.

Overall, the US military is slowly trying to introduce the M4 into more units. So at the moment, its not unusual to see a mix of M4s and M16s. Much like how with the new MARPAT uniforms for the marines. Some have it, others still use the old stuff. You can't re-equip an entire military force overnight, it takes time.

[MSG Dman]

When I was a platoon Sergeant at 10th Mountain we didnt all have M4's. My platoon had only 5. I had one, my Platoon leader had one, my RTO had one, and my 2 M240B assitant gunners had them. All others in the platoon had M16A2's/M249's/M240B's/M203's. Later on we got issued M4's for everyone that had an M16A2.

It is common to see support units in the 10th still carrying the M16A2 becasue they havnt completed the changeover. Special Ops and Rangers were first, then Infantry, then support etc.

I would assume the same process is taking place in other countries that are adopting the M4.