Redhawk Firearms M-4 Carbine
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| Redhawk Firearms M-4 Carine | |
|---|---|
 Members of the 23rd Independent Regiment "Huntsman" equipped with the Redhawk Firearms M-4 Carbine | |
| Type | Carbine |
| Place of origin |  Shenandoah |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2016 – present |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1996 - 2008 |
| Manufacturer | Redhawk Firearms |
| Produced | 2012 – present |
| Variants | See Varaints |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 7.8 lbs (3.56 kg) |
| Length | Stock extended 33 in (848 mm)
Stock collapsed: 27 in (685 mm) |
| Barrel length | 14.5 in (368 mm) |
| Cartridge | .224 Grady |
| Action | Gas-operated short-stroke piston, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 850 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 2893 feet per second (882 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 550 yd (500 m) |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable box magazine |
The Redhawk Firearms M-4 Carbine a gas-operated carbine that is chambered for the .224 Grady cartridge developed by Redhawk Firearms for the Shenandoahan National Guard and intended to replace the Redhawk Firearms M-4 Assault Rifle and M-3 Carbine in service with the National Guard currently. An evolution of the original M-4 Assault Rifle, which first entered service in 1967, the M-4 Carbine utilizes a new short-stroke piston system which differs significantly from the direct impingement system of the earlier M-3 Assault Rifle and M-3 Carbine rifles. This new system is said to significantly increased the reliability of the weapon.
Currently, the M-4 Carbine is in service with only the Shenandoahan Army National Guard, being used by special forces infantry. However, in 2016, the Shenandoahan National Guard admitted the examining the idea of replacing its existing M-4 Assault Rifles and M-3 Carbines with the M-4 Carbine, and accepted one of the M-4 Carbines associated weapons, the Redhawk Firearms M-2 Automatic Rifle into service in 2018. In 2023, the Shenandoahan National Guard stated it intended to replace both the M-4 Assault Rifle and M-3 Carbine in service with the Redhawk Firearms M-4 Carbine by 2028.
Variants
- M-4: Standard production model with 14.5 in barrel.
- M-4D1: Close quarters combat model featuring a 10.4 in barrel.
- M-4D2: Often referred to the ultra short version, the M4-D2 features a 9.0 in barrel and was produced in limited quantities for special applications.
- M-4A1: 2017 improvement package offered for the M-4 Carbine, features a redesigned nonadjustable stock, which also no longer contains and interior storage space or sling swivel. The M-4A1 features an improved tool-less adjustable gas regulator for suppressor use, which can accommodate barrel lengths down to 267 mm (10.5 in) without modifications. as well as a redesigned lower receiver with ambidextrous fire controls, optimised magazine and ammunition compatibility, a repair kit housed inside the pistol grip. The handguard uses a new hexagonal-shaped cross bolt that cannot be removed by the bolt locking lugs but instead by the takedown tool housed inside the grip. It has a "heavy duty castle nut", which is more robust than the previous version, therefore making that weak spot more resistant to impact. This improvement was applied to the D1 series of rifles only, in addition to a new 11 in barrell replacing the former 10.2 in barrel. These rifles are designated as the M-4A1D3
- 'M-4A1E1 2019 product improvement for the M-4A1 and M-4A1D3 series rifles. Features a new 45-degree safety selector, that rotates 45 degrees rather than 90 degrees as on the A1 variant safety selector. The new configuration of the selector is comparable to those of aftermarket 45-degree safety selectors. The A1E1 also features a proprietary rail system, which is more lightweight than the traditional rail systems found on many other rifles. Update made to previous versions are desginated M-4A1E1D3
- M-4A1E2 In 2022, in anticipation of the announcement that the M-4 Carbine would be the new standard rifle of the Shenandoahan National Guard, RedHawk released a new updated version of the rifle incorporating some feedback received by units fielding the weapon. While an adjustable position stock was not reintroduced, a eight-adjustable shoulder support was added. In addition, a steeper grip angle as well as a shorter hand guard was adopted in order to comply with a new required maximum weight of 3.5 kg (7.72 lb) set forth by the Army National Guard. Updates amde to preexisting versions are designated M-4A1E2D3
