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Posted: 1/9/2007 3:17:19 PM EDT
| Can anyone tell me the difference between the A3 and A4 version of the AR15? |
Yup. The A3 and A4 is used interchangeably by commercial mfrs. The M16A3 is an A2 with AUTO and the A4 is a flat-top A2 with a F marked FSB and detachable carry handle assembly. |
| A3 is the commercial designation for flat top uppers, while A4 is the military designation. Note that some commercially available rifles will be designated A4 also. One such company is Rock River Arms, because they kick ass. The other companies simply chose A3 without knowledge of what the military would call their flat tops. Since A2 was the carry handle version, A3 seemed the logical choice for flat top. I guess the military likes even numbers. Go figure. |
Really? I just remember reading that the A3 was an A2 with A1 trigger group and a flat top upper. If you're sure, I won't argue  |
Yup. If there was a more current -23 or -10 in the DL section you could see the specs on it. QUIB also has a nice chart and pic showing the differences, but I can't find it right now. |
Nah, I believe you. I need to lay off Jack Daniels 
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Dont know about the chart Colt web site has it as a Full Auto M16A4 |
" AVAILABLE MODELS RO901 : Flat top, Safe/Semi/Full Auto RO905 : Flat top, Safe/Semi/Burst RO701 : Fixed handle, Safe/Semi/Full Auto RO705 : Fixed handle, Safe/Semi/Burst " |
What Hemi said: there are several versions. Regardless, the military M16A4 is BURST. |
I thought I heard the pitter-patter of Aero Scout feet. |
What? The M-16 is 2-3 MOA..... 
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They shouldn't. Since the A2 HBAR, I don't think accuracy has yet to change. A1 might have been a little less accurate because of twist and pencil barrel. |
The barrels are the same functionally, with the only difference in the assembly being the FSB, which is the F in the A4. The A3 MIGHT have a slight edge as far as trigger pull because it doesn't have the three different trigger pulls on semi as the A2/A4. Bolts, BCG, everythign else is the same. The upper is obviously different, but that isn't going to impact the accuracy. Lower (outside of the FCG) is the same. |
Well yeah A2 and up the barrels are all the same. I agree with you the FSB isn't enough to give it a huge edge, in my opinion. |
I know, we're tag teaming this bitch (and post whoring afcourse) 
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Nope - all even 'A' marks are BURST, and the original no-A weapon is of course FA On the M4, the original weapon is BURST, and the A1 is FA... |
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As far as I know (ahem) M16 is FA M16A1 is an M16 with a forward assist, FA M16A2 is burst M16A3 is FA with A2 sights M16A4 is flattop, burst M4 is fixed carry handle with a burst FCG, Later on, all M4s became burst flattops. M4A1 is a full auto, detachable carry handle, with a heavy barrel. As an aside, I have NEVER seen a photograph of an M16A3. I mean, no roll marks, not even any picture saying "this soldier is armed with an m16a3." |
It's a Navy weapon, so you probably wouldn't see a soldier with one. I've seen one that I'm sure of with a Navy type. And I think one of the guys here posted some pics of some in Iraq that belonged to some SeeBees.. |
Marines just started getting them early Iraq war, I believe. |
Only a couple years before you got them in the 161. I don't know the exact year though, but we got them pretty soon after the Regular Army did, and before some of them. And of course it looks like they are being phased out already and being replaced by the M4 even in mech units. www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=18&t=190112 |
There's a nice picture of them on the front of the -23&P. On page 0002-00-1 of the -10 it gives the specs for the A2 and A3 on the same table, with the exception of the A3 having SAFE-SEMI-AUTO. |
I know the A4 with the MWS and M68 was being used in Infantry OSUT right after the start of the GWOT. |
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