Redhawk Firearms M-4 Assault Rifle: Difference between revisions
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==Variants== | ==Variants== | ||
====M-3==== | |||
The M-3 was the first version of the rifle adopted operationally. The originally design utilized a triangular handguard, and lacked a storage space in the butt stocks for a rifle cleaning kit. The weapon featured a three position selector switch, including safe, semiautomatic and fully automatic fire. The [[Shenandoahan Air National Guard]] continued to operate these weapons until around 2001 with its security forces units, as well as in basic training roles before replacing it with the M-3A2 variant. Some M-3 rifles remain in service as basic training rifles, as well as in use by various law enforcement agencies across the nation. | |||
====M-3A2==== | |||
[[File:M3A2.jpg|thumb|left|The M-3A2 was an extensive redesign of the original M-3 rifle, including change smade to the stock, handguards and fire control group]] | |||
The M-3A2 was the second operational model of the M-3 rifle series and saw extensive development and reconfiguration, including increased barrel thickness around the muzzle of the weapon to address concerns of warping or bending in field conditions and to allow a longer period of sustained fire without overheating. In addition the design of the flash suppressor with a closed lower section to prevent dirt or snow from being kicked up when the rifle was fired form the prone position and also functions as a recoil compensator. The weapons handguard was modified from the original triangle shape to a rounded shape which made gripping easier, especially for females and soldiers with smaller hands. The new handguards were also symmetrical so armories need not separate left- and right-hand spares, as was required with the original M-3 triangle handguards. A notch for the middle finger was added to the pistol grip, as well as more texture to enhance the grip. In addition, the rifles buttstock was lengthened and its sturdiness increased due to the use of a new polymer compound in its formation, address concerns of warping or cracking under field conditions. | |||
The most substantial modification to the M-3A2 comes in the reworking of the fire control group and the removal of the fully automatic setting. It was discovered during testing and evaluation of infantry activates that, when using a fully automatic weapon, inexperienced troops would often hold down the trigger and "spray" when under fire, expending vast quantities of ammunition without an increase in hit probability. Following a two year long study, the The [[Shenandoahan Army National Guard]] concluded that three-shot groups provide an optimum combination of ammunition conservation, accuracy, and firepower. These findings pushed the Army National Guard to advocate for a three-round burst setting to replace the fully automatic setting on the M-3A2. As the primary user of the rifle in combat conditions, this request was granted. Although the M-3A3 was accepted into service in 2009, large quantities of M-3A2 riles remain in service, primarily with the [[Shenandoahan Coast Guard]] and [[Shenandoahan Air National Guard]], but also in some reserve units of the Shenandoahan Army National Guard, though the Army National Guard has begun issuing the [[Redhawk Firearms M-3 Carbine]] in favor of the larger M-3 Assault Rifle. | |||
====M-3A3==== | |||
[[File:M3A3.jpg|thumb|Infantry with the [[5th Brigade (Shenandoah)|5th Brigade "Woodsman"]] conducting rifle training at Fort Perry in [[Administrative regions of the Shenandoahan Commonwealth|Oak Hills]]. ]] | |||
The M-3A2 is the newest version of the M-3 rifle family, and was developed to incorporate improvements introduced in versions of the M-3 Carbine favored by units of the Army National Guard. The M-3A3 is equipped with a removable carrying handle and a full length quad{{wpl|Picatinny rail|accessory rail}} for mounting optics and other ancillary devices on the rifle. It retains the safe/semi/3-round bust trigger group of the M-3A2. Although the M-3A3 was accepted into service by the Army National Guard, it is only issued to support and non-combat personnel, with combat units receiving the M-3 Carbine. All M-3A2s are expected to be phased out of the Air Nation Guard and Coast Guard inventories by 2022. | |||
Further updates to the M-3A3 and its accessories have been proposed since its adoption in 2009, including the introduction of a {{wpl|free-floating barrel}} to increase accuracy. A 2014 study by Redhawk Firearms using several M-3A3 rifles equipped with free-floating barrels suggested accuracy of the rifle could be increased from 4.5 {{wpl|Minute and second of arc|MOA}} to 2 MOA, considered a significant improvement by the Redhawk testing team. In addition, there has been considerable efforts made to design the reticle of the Silverman {{wpl|Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight|Infantry Combat Gunsight}} from its current chevron design to a more practical semi-circle with center dot style reticle. Other improvements suggested include the addition of ambidextrous charging handles and bolt catch releases for easier use with left-handed shooters, a reconsideration of the current burst fire system, the use of a trigger group with a more consistent pull force, and utilizing the adjustable stock from the M-3 Carbine, allowing for user to adjust the stock length to facilitate better shouldering for smaller individuals and individuals wearing body armor. | |||
In 2018, the [[Shenandoahan National Guard]] authorized infantry to utilize approved, non-standard accessories for their weapons, including stocks, magazines, and accessories. | |||
==Operators== | ==Operators== | ||
Revision as of 17:53, 10 October 2021
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| Grady Repeating Arms M-3 Assault Rifle | |
|---|---|
 A Guardsman First Class of the Shenandoahan Army National Guard carrying a Redhawk Firearms M-3A1 assault rifle equipped with a Silverman Stalker nigh vision device | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |  Shenandoah |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1967 – present |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Earl Rock, John Wayne Mauncy |
| Designed | 1977 |
| Manufacturer | Redhawk Firearms |
| Produced |
|
| Variants | See Varaints |
| Specifications | |
| Weight |
|
| Length | 39.5 in (1,003 mm) |
| Barrel length |
|
| Cartridge | .243 Grady |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 700-900 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 3,150 ft/s (960 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 300 metres (980 ft) |
| Maximum firing range | 550 m (601 yd) |
| Feed system |
|
The Redhawk Firearms M-3 Assault Rifle is a selective fire assault rifle designed by Earl Rock and John Wayne Mauncy between 1977 and 1985. Currently produced by Redhawk Firearms, it is in service with all three branches of the Shenandoahan Army National Guard, but has been largely replaced by the more compact Redhawk Firearms M-3 Carbine.
History and design
Variants
M-3
The M-3 was the first version of the rifle adopted operationally. The originally design utilized a triangular handguard, and lacked a storage space in the butt stocks for a rifle cleaning kit. The weapon featured a three position selector switch, including safe, semiautomatic and fully automatic fire. The Shenandoahan Air National Guard continued to operate these weapons until around 2001 with its security forces units, as well as in basic training roles before replacing it with the M-3A2 variant. Some M-3 rifles remain in service as basic training rifles, as well as in use by various law enforcement agencies across the nation.
M-3A2
The M-3A2 was the second operational model of the M-3 rifle series and saw extensive development and reconfiguration, including increased barrel thickness around the muzzle of the weapon to address concerns of warping or bending in field conditions and to allow a longer period of sustained fire without overheating. In addition the design of the flash suppressor with a closed lower section to prevent dirt or snow from being kicked up when the rifle was fired form the prone position and also functions as a recoil compensator. The weapons handguard was modified from the original triangle shape to a rounded shape which made gripping easier, especially for females and soldiers with smaller hands. The new handguards were also symmetrical so armories need not separate left- and right-hand spares, as was required with the original M-3 triangle handguards. A notch for the middle finger was added to the pistol grip, as well as more texture to enhance the grip. In addition, the rifles buttstock was lengthened and its sturdiness increased due to the use of a new polymer compound in its formation, address concerns of warping or cracking under field conditions.
The most substantial modification to the M-3A2 comes in the reworking of the fire control group and the removal of the fully automatic setting. It was discovered during testing and evaluation of infantry activates that, when using a fully automatic weapon, inexperienced troops would often hold down the trigger and "spray" when under fire, expending vast quantities of ammunition without an increase in hit probability. Following a two year long study, the The Shenandoahan Army National Guard concluded that three-shot groups provide an optimum combination of ammunition conservation, accuracy, and firepower. These findings pushed the Army National Guard to advocate for a three-round burst setting to replace the fully automatic setting on the M-3A2. As the primary user of the rifle in combat conditions, this request was granted. Although the M-3A3 was accepted into service in 2009, large quantities of M-3A2 riles remain in service, primarily with the Shenandoahan Coast Guard and Shenandoahan Air National Guard, but also in some reserve units of the Shenandoahan Army National Guard, though the Army National Guard has begun issuing the Redhawk Firearms M-3 Carbine in favor of the larger M-3 Assault Rifle.
M-3A3
The M-3A2 is the newest version of the M-3 rifle family, and was developed to incorporate improvements introduced in versions of the M-3 Carbine favored by units of the Army National Guard. The M-3A3 is equipped with a removable carrying handle and a full length quadaccessory rail for mounting optics and other ancillary devices on the rifle. It retains the safe/semi/3-round bust trigger group of the M-3A2. Although the M-3A3 was accepted into service by the Army National Guard, it is only issued to support and non-combat personnel, with combat units receiving the M-3 Carbine. All M-3A2s are expected to be phased out of the Air Nation Guard and Coast Guard inventories by 2022.
Further updates to the M-3A3 and its accessories have been proposed since its adoption in 2009, including the introduction of a free-floating barrel to increase accuracy. A 2014 study by Redhawk Firearms using several M-3A3 rifles equipped with free-floating barrels suggested accuracy of the rifle could be increased from 4.5 MOA to 2 MOA, considered a significant improvement by the Redhawk testing team. In addition, there has been considerable efforts made to design the reticle of the Silverman Infantry Combat Gunsight from its current chevron design to a more practical semi-circle with center dot style reticle. Other improvements suggested include the addition of ambidextrous charging handles and bolt catch releases for easier use with left-handed shooters, a reconsideration of the current burst fire system, the use of a trigger group with a more consistent pull force, and utilizing the adjustable stock from the M-3 Carbine, allowing for user to adjust the stock length to facilitate better shouldering for smaller individuals and individuals wearing body armor.
In 2018, the Shenandoahan National Guard authorized infantry to utilize approved, non-standard accessories for their weapons, including stocks, magazines, and accessories.
Operators
- Shenandoah
- Shenandoahan National Guard: The Grady Repeating Arms M-3 Assault Rifle has been the standard service rifle of the Shenandoahan National Guard since 1985, with the M-4A3 accepted into service in 2012.
