AR-15 A2 vs A4

Timmy Jimmy · October 23rd, 2007, 06:28 PM

Someone asked me the difference between an A2 and a A4 Ar-15

Is the only difference the lenght of the barrel?

JD · October 23rd, 2007, 06:33 PM

No an A2 and an A4 have the same bbl length, the A4 is basically an A2 with a flat top receiver and quad rails IIRC.

OD · October 23rd, 2007, 07:55 PM

M16A4
http://colt.com/mil/M16.asp

Timmy Jimmy · October 23rd, 2007, 09:49 PM

So what is mine if it has a flat top and regular heat shields?

PSIShapiro · October 23rd, 2007, 09:57 PM

If I understand correctly, you have an A4 has a mil-spec picatinny rail which can be fitted with a scope OR a Handle. If I understand correctly, the A2 has the integrated handle. Can someone with more experience confirm this, as I am the one who asked Tim to begin with.

Thanks!
Steve

JD · October 23rd, 2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy Jimmy

So what is mine if it has a flat top and regular heat shields?

That's an M4 "Style" as it really isn't an M4.

Your's is a 16" with a collapsible stock, and a flat top receiver.

To be brutally honest, it's a total mutt as far as designations go.

OPFOR · October 23rd, 2007, 10:10 PM

You're basically correct, PSI. In the actual M16 series, the A2 has a fixed carrying handle, the A4 has a detachable one with a railed upper reciever. The fore end rails don't really matter, because you can put them on any model/variant.

In "AR-15" terms, it gets a bit more nebulous - there are so many makers, options, and so forth that there is no standardized nomenclature. What Timmy has is an "M4gery;" flat-top upper, collapsable stock, M4 profile barrel (the indent in front of the front sight being necessary to mount an M203 on a true M4, and serving no other purpose)...although Timmy's has a 16" bbl (it appears) instead of the 14.5" one on a true M4...

ETA: JD beat me to most of it... :)

PSIShapiro · October 23rd, 2007, 10:20 PM

Oh yeah... It's crystal clear now

... No really, thanks for your help.

OPFOR · October 23rd, 2007, 10:23 PM

Welcome to the world of the AR...

Skygod · October 24th, 2007, 09:22 AM

The A2 was originally a full length barrel with a fixed stock and fixed carry handle with AR style iron sights. I was around when the A2 had semi auto and only 3 round burst.

The A4 being the same with a flat top reciever without the RIS or SIR rail system. Rail systems came into play much later in the life of the M16 and M4 series. I carried and M4 with the profiled barrel and fixed carry handle with a GG&G 1913 mount on top with one of the first of Aimpoints ever deployed with any SOF forces. Things have changed drastically since Knights introduced the SOPMOD program for SOF forces employing the M4.

Actually the profile barrel seved two purposes. For the mount for the 203 and to lighten the barrel for faster cooling. Much like fluting is used today in competition barrels.

Just as things have changed for Colt as well. It was not unusual for any SOF team to be carrying LMT rifles with SOPMOD modifications from Knights or in some cases from personal soldiers preferences that were purchased with out of pocket money. At one time we had a box full of Knights stuff and we could grab it and install it ourselves or have the armorer install it for us. I saw more foregrips left in the boxes than other item. Now it's considered unusual if you don't have a foregrip.

October 23rd, 2007, 06:28 PM	#1
Timmy Jimmy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 759	AR-15 A2 vs A4 Someone asked me the difference between an A2 and a A4 Ar-15 Is the only difference the lenght of the barrel? __________________ Timmy Jimmy If it is not in the US Constitution then the Federal Government should not be doing it. "Carrying a gun is a social responsibility."

October 23rd, 2007, 06:33 PM	#2
JD Senior Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bedford County Virginia Posts: 9,479	No an A2 and an A4 have the same bbl length, the A4 is basically an A2 with a flat top receiver and quad rails IIRC. __________________ Forum Customs & Courtesies Forum Usage: Tips and Tricks

October 23rd, 2007, 07:55 PM	#3
OD VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Vatican City Posts: 2,792	M16A4 http://colt.com/mil/M16.asp __________________ OD "Slow down, you'll get a more harmonious outcome...." -------------------------------------------- *"The pistol, learn it well, carry it always ..." - Jeff Cooper*

October 23rd, 2007, 09:49 PM	#4
Timmy Jimmy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 759	So what is mine if it has a flat top and regular heat shields? __________________ Timmy Jimmy If it is not in the US Constitution then the Federal Government should not be doing it. "Carrying a gun is a social responsibility."

October 23rd, 2007, 10:10 PM	#7
OPFOR VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Baghdad Posts: 2,532	You're basically correct, PSI. In the actual M16 series, the A2 has a fixed carrying handle, the A4 has a detachable one with a railed upper reciever. The fore end rails don't really matter, because you can put them on any model/variant. In "AR-15" terms, it gets a bit more nebulous - there are so many makers, options, and so forth that there is no standardized nomenclature. What Timmy has is an "M4gery;" flat-top upper, collapsable stock, M4 profile barrel (the indent in front of the front sight being necessary to mount an M203 on a true M4, and serving no other purpose)...although Timmy's has a 16" bbl (it appears) instead of the 14.5" one on a true M4... ETA: JD beat me to most of it... :) __________________ "It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be. That way and not some other way."

October 23rd, 2007, 09:57 PM	#5
PSIShapiro Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 64	If I understand correctly, you have an A4 has a mil-spec picatinny rail which can be fitted with a scope OR a Handle. If I understand correctly, the A2 has the integrated handle. Can someone with more experience confirm this, as I am the one who asked Tim to begin with. Thanks! Steve

October 23rd, 2007, 10:20 PM	#8
PSIShapiro Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 64	Oh yeah... It's crystal clear now... No really, thanks for your help.

October 23rd, 2007, 10:23 PM	#9
OPFOR VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Baghdad Posts: 2,532	Welcome to the world of the AR... __________________ "It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be. That way and not some other way."

October 24th, 2007, 09:22 AM	#10
Skygod Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 448	The A2 was originally a full length barrel with a fixed stock and fixed carry handle with AR style iron sights. I was around when the A2 had semi auto and only 3 round burst. The A4 being the same with a flat top reciever without the RIS or SIR rail system. Rail systems came into play much later in the life of the M16 and M4 series. I carried and M4 with the profiled barrel and fixed carry handle with a GG&G 1913 mount on top with one of the first of Aimpoints ever deployed with any SOF forces. Things have changed drastically since Knights introduced the SOPMOD program for SOF forces employing the M4. Actually the profile barrel seved two purposes. For the mount for the 203 and to lighten the barrel for faster cooling. Much like fluting is used today in competition barrels. Just as things have changed for Colt as well. It was not unusual for any SOF team to be carrying LMT rifles with SOPMOD modifications from Knights or in some cases from personal soldiers preferences that were purchased with out of pocket money. At one time we had a box full of Knights stuff and we could grab it and install it ourselves or have the armorer install it for us. I saw more foregrips left in the boxes than other item. Now it's considered unusual if you don't have a foregrip. __________________ "I'm ridin, I'm shinin up my saddle" Aerosmith "Back in the saddle"

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