Ukrainian Army Now Issuing M16A4s
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ม.ค. 2023
- In January the first sign of M16A4s being issued in Ukraine came when the newly raised 47th Brigade posted several videos showing troops armed with them.
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armourersbench.com/2023/01/29...
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![Ukraine’s Tavors [Fort-221 / Fort-224]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3Lhr32IlNY4/mqdefault.jpg)
![Ukraine’s Tavors [Fort-221 / Fort-224]](/img/tr.png)
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A
It’s probably the ones left behind
I’ve seen them with the Vietnam area ones recently brand new out of storage boxes
Interesting. Those 20" barrel rifles should be a good fit with much of the open spaces in the conflict. The various 556 loadings really perform at their best when fired out of the 20" barrel.
the M855 was designed specifically to be fired from the M16 20' barrel giving it maximum armor pen value
But the distance of fire and the body armor that the Russians fielded there 5.56 mm cartridge will provide no stopping power.....and given the muddy condition of Ukraine impingement instead of piston operating will be the Achilles heel of that rifle. And for close engagement, a long barrel will be very unwieldy. Most Ukrainian servicemen will not live long enough to experience the expected problems. Yes, the West will fight to the last Ukrainian. Well, something is better than nothing..
@@TheArmourersBench Well you just lost some credibility...
If you knew ANYTHING about the 5.56 you would know it was designed to punch through the old Soviet shit that is on the battlefield right now with that 20" full length barrel for full velocity and penetration value. The original 55 grain M193 was proven to punch through both sides of a Soviet era steel pot helmet at 300m. Those helmets are in wide use right now. Along with the lack of body armor. The Russian Army as a whole has basically reverted back to Soviet era gear making this even more valuable.
For an "armorer" you don't know shit about US service cartridges.
@@chrisfly777300ER no, i same bullet type is compared.
The 5.45 has a better ballistic coefficient.
@@mattandrews8528 It's not just the length, 5.45 can hold the same (rather little more) amount of powder inside
I'm willing to bet the vast majority of them were produced by FN. While I was in the Marine Corps I don't recall ever seeing an M16A4 that was produced by Colt. At the time, Colt only had contracts for the M4, and I don't recall them having any contracts for the M16A4 at anytime since. Out of the two units I served with I never saw any Colt M16A4s. They may have produced them prior to 2008, however, I don't know for sure. We were, however, still using Colt produced M16A2s in recruit training at that time and I even saw one FN produced M16A2
Yeah I think they have been largely FN made, the early contracts went to Colt, 100k+, but a lot of the more recent contracts have been with FN from the awards I've seen.
Most likely FN since I believe they had the most recent runs. There was a third company that produced a run of A4s I just don't remember who it was (you can probably ask the guys from Ohio Ordnance Works). I had to snag two of the cage coded FN made A4 uppers when OOW had them for sale bc they were so inexpensive (400-500 dollars). I can only speak for the uppers I received but they are both incredibly accurate (one is sub MOA with 77gr tipped matchking, the other is about 1.5 to 2 MOA with the same rounds) and I've never had a malfunction with either one (both on gen 2 Aero lowers). Was never really an AR-15 guy until I picked up those FNs, now I'm hooked.
@Hagscock I think at one time I recall Sabre Defence had been awarded a contract for either rifles or parts, but not long after they were shut down by the State Department and ATF for smuggling machine guns into the UK
Why did the US Army move over to the M4 ??
@@MultiDrew83 Probably for Clearing rooms, and going in and out of armoured vehicles etc
The 556 performers really well when it’s fired out of 20” barrel. This rifle will work well in the open terrain especially with an acog.
This is my favorite variant in the AR family of rifles. Long barrel and flat top for mounting any kind of optics you choose, would be great to have thermals on these for some night hunting. When I was assigned to the 1/22 Infantry in the US Army, we used these with our standard M150 RCO ACOG optics as DMRs. You can easily hit a man sized target at 500 meters no problem, as our Battalion Sniper Team demonstrated to us.
I'm inclined to agree, controllable in burst, lots of rail space , more than accurate enough and pretty robust. Definitely wouldn't be disappointed to be issued one if I was a Ukrainian soldier.
@@TheArmourersBench M16 A4s are not full auto. They are 3 round burst or semi. I am a former US Marine who has had extensive experience with them, I even deployed to Iraq with one. Later I joined the Army National Guard and was issued an M4. I prefer the M16, although that might just be because I have so much experience with them. Great rifle and platform.
I agree, the us military's obsession with shortening everything basically landed them with a worse weapon in the M4.
I agree by far my favorite varient, I always shot better at weapon qualifications with the m16 then the m4. Also the ability to keep a full cleaning kit in the rifle is awsome
Quite right Beau, I was thinking burst but wrote full auto haha.
Beautiful rifle. Saved my life over and over again. I carried one for years in the USMC. It did not jam and it did not miss.
It did not jam? Were you a cook? Or just didn't have any bullets?
@@blacklight4720 no, i just know how to clean and lubricate a rifle properly. I was actually in an infantry unit. I cleaned my rifle right after waking and before bed. In Iraq I used a dry lube so it wouldn't attract dust and gum up. I always tried to keep a shoot thru muzzle cap on. I kept the ejection port closed as much as possible. I had a specific carbon scraper for bolt and carrier. When your life is dependent on it, you damn well maintain it.
@@cascadianrangers728 Not the experience I had with the rifle. Kept jamming from time to time. To the point where you wonder if the rifle will let you down while clearing a room.
@@blacklight4720 I'm sorry man that fucking sucks! I forgot to mention that I used either pmags or steel body mags with anti tilt follower, I've found a huge amount of malfunctions could be attributed just to magazine issues; the issue mags w/ green follower are pretty garbage, that and for some reason armorers don't seem to change buffer springs ever, I'm certain good quality magazines and a wolff gunsprings +10% extra power buffer spring were major factors in the reliability
@@cascadianrangers728 sounds like you're your own armorer. To be honest that's the right way to go about it, when life is in stake.
Bro I was issued my M16A4 in the US Army back in 2005...they work! Memories
They work, huh? The one I pulled from the armory for use at the range was absolute shit. Mean rounds between failures was no more than 180. I can't imagine they're sending the "good" ones to Ukraine. This seems like more of a death sentence to me, having used the rifle during my service, albeit briefly (about 1000 rounds through it, not my main service weapon at all).
@@saml7610 we were hitting beyond 300yds with ridiculously worn out M16A2s back in 2004. M16A4 is a solid weapon. Yes, likely getting rid of worn out stock from OIF/OEF, but it's not that hard to replace the barrels.
@@saml7610 probably had worn springs and crap mags. If it's maintained, it'll work great.
@@saml7610Doesn't seem all that scientific to only use your experience to generlize an idea for a weapon system...
Ahh thee ol’ “musket”, I only used one in boot camp, in SOI and later the fleet I was issued an M27. 20in barrels go hard
Now only POGS have M16s 👀
@@jagaterbarn5744 And Reservists.
@@jagaterbarn5744 former POG here. M16 is life.
I'd prefer that full 20 inch barrel if fighting in Ukraine. A lot of shooting from tree line to tree line over fields. Perfect terrain for a 20 inch rifle.
true
what a good looking rifle...a timeless classic
Designed by Filipino inventor Armando Malite. Used by the whole world for so maby decades
@@reymeradrianotv4001
Nope, that’s just an urban legend
@@reymeradrianotv4001 eugene stoner
@@reymeradrianotv4001Armalite, lol I get it
Hell yeah. That is a 350 yard death/casualty machine all day long! The A4 paired with 55gr fmj and a Ta-31 is simple, and to the point....and extremely reliable.
I'd love a video on the FN FNC rifles in Ukraine... I'm curious if some of them are Swedish AK-5's.
It's definitely in the works. I'm curious about that too
I read they came out of Belgium
@@nigeldean3726 I mean, Sweden has been sending a large number of small arms as well, though.
@@Oddball_E8 Yes and what else could it even be than the AK5?
@@skitidetdu6672 Ksp 58 has been seen in Ukraine. They could be sending AK-4's, Ksp 90 or Psg 90.
Hell, they could have sent some AG 90 too.
Technically, Carl Gustaf and the like is counted as small arms as well.
The USMC had an official investigation opened during the initial invasion of Iraq due to the number of enemy combatants found with headshots. It was believed that due to the disproportionate amount of enemies killed via headshot that Marines were executing enemy prisoners, it was determined that the result was due to marksmanship. Possibly a rah Marine rumor but its still fun to think about. This is the standard issue for USMC infantry, may it serve the heroes of Ukraine well. That being said the three round burst sucks.
I remember seeing a new story on TV about that. If I recall correctly, it was during the battle at the cemetery.
The use of the ACOG is why this is the case. The 4x optic essentially made every Marine a mid range sniper.
Even if the Iraqis make good use of cover, their heads are still likely to be the biggest target available.
All that said, training and discipline trumps tool selection.
"The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle!" - Gen. John J. Pershing
M27 HK IAR is the rifle that in 2017 the USMC equipped every member of an infantry squad. Thank you Commandant James Conway.
@@F15ElectricEagle It's actually the radio.
Always thought the M16A4 was a really pretty rifle. Happy to see it still kicking around.
62gn 5.56 coming to vibe check your Ratnik body armor at 3000fps-
“I’m fast as Duck Boi”
🔫
@@d3m1gawd81 Send them some 77 grain
@@trofchik9488 ASSUMING you find Russian Soldier these days with issued armor, AND it’s not gift armor from China and actually correctly made you are correct.
It’s still going to hurt like a MOFO tho.
Ratnik “Body Armour”
@@trofchik9488 M855A1 most definitely will penetrate that armor
When we started getting acogs, then A4s, there was a drastic increase in head shots, at long ranges in Iraq. We were able to have effective fire at 500+ yards. There were other units who had kills at 700+ yards with the A4, acogs combo.
we are about to hear a bunch of whining and crying ivans when heads start exploding from 500 to 600 meters away
It takes a good trigger group, a clean break, and good quality accurate ammo to explode heads at 500 Meters.
@@assclapper2231 They did. The USMC in particular ended up under investigation because the Corps in Iraq were racking up so many headshots that some thought they were executing prisoners. They weren't, obviously. It's just that an ACOG on a damn fine rifle in the hands of professional combat marksman makes for something terrifying in application.
Love the A4, what a sweetheart. While in the army I had an M16A2, M4, and briefly an M16A4. The A4 was my favorite of the 3
That was my favorite weapon of all the systems I carried in my time in the army. I could really nail the 400 meter target at the range with the A4. The M4 is solid and it’s nice to have a little weapon because you carry it far more than you fire it, but if I had to choose one over the other it would be the A4 for me unless I’m clearing a building. It’s so flat in Ukraine I’d definitely want the more accurate weapon at distance.
A youtuber named Civ Div is a western volunteer fighter. His buddies are over there and they have M4's issued to them. There is video of them wiping out a spetznaz squad with the M4's
Have seen the video! Some very interesting footage.
I have the FN M-16A4 clone with an ACOG and RMR it's just like the one I used in Afghanistan. It's my go to rifle for pretty much everything. I put together a second one but I used a free float handguard, very accurate and reliable rifle.
I had one when I was a Navy corpsman. I'm now in the process of slowly building mine. Though I'm going to build mine with a 1 in 9 twist chrome-lined heavy barrel. With a PSA u.s. government marked M-16 A4 clone lower. And eventually once I get everything in the last thing I'm going to do is put one of those Franklin Armory binary triggers in there. I can't wait to see how that things going to shoot with the heavy barrel.
@@mason569 did you get your 1/9 twist heavy barrel from "Small Team Supplies"? I did and with 62gr green tip that barrel is a half or better moa all day long.
@@brazzy1467 no I've never checked them out before I'm getting mine from Delton. I haven't ordered it yet I just ordered the lower from Palmetto State Armory. It's a slow work in progress
I noticed a few weeks ago.
Thanks for confirming 👍🏾
20 inch superiority
A well-rounded weapon system, best of luck. USMC 2011-2017
Iron sights with that 20" barrel... Oh man, you'll never forget your first true love.
4x Acog>
@@Schmidty1 I used to think a scope was excellent, till I grew out of it. It felt more marriage-like to have iron sights. If I see a small figure far away, I bet I could line up sights and plink a few rounds. I could shoot further away accurately and up close without worrying about scope in my way. You could say the 1000 yard stare is your scope, but you need to worry about close quarter combat too.
@@CenobiteBeldar The acog can be used in cqb pretty decently
In 1998 i train whit the USA E.E .F.F. rangers , in Honduras 🇭🇳 and i got a medal , im a sharp- shooter of the M - 203 the old versión of the M16 04 !!
Too bad we left all those m16A2's and A4's in Afghanistan. Along with NVGs, and tons of other things.
don't worry, they probably sold them all to china by now lol
Got a whole Call of Duty’s worth of a weapon like up in this war.
Excellent small arms content!!
Glad you think so! Thanks for watching.
By the way, the 47th brigade is armed with m55s tanks and MaxPro armored cars. Soldiers of this brigade are also trained on the M2 Bradley
Would love to see that FNC video. It's one of my favorite rifles, and I'd love to see how it fares in a conflict like this.
I know from my own model that while they do take AR mags, a lot of the aluminum and steel GI mags can actually cause feeding problems. The round is stripped from the chamber, the nose of the bullet catches onto an interior surface, and the force of the bolt going forward bends the cartridge at a forty-five degree angle. Easy to clear, but super annoying.
Keep up the good work ✌️
I'm in the process of building mine with the 1 in 9 twist chrome-lined heavy barrel. I also plan on putting a binary trigger in it. When I was a corpsman with my Marine reserve unit I qualified on one of these.
On the more recent videos from Civ Div's YT channel the int legion troops seem to be equipped with M4A1s with aimpoints and weapon lights. on his earlier vids they had AK-74s, mostly without optics.
Definitely more and more M4A1s appearing
Ukraine does have their indigenous ar15 platform though its not as widespread and select units were testing it before Feb 2022. It is called the Ukrop UAR-15. They also have AR10 version too. It looked to be a 16 inch midlenth barrel with free floating handguard. The handguard is keymod. Interestingly, they put the optic on the handguard.
Video of uar15: th-cam.com/video/zJPrkFFzkbU/w-d-xo.html
I love the M16A4, gonna get a FN clone sometime for sure. It's on my must have list with a 4x32 ACOG.
weapons systems that were used over at Sand Hill at Fort Benning for OSUT. Thats where those came from.
Interesting that they would have so many M203s. I would expect just one or two per squad. I guess that much 40mm in one area does make an interesting short range artillery like effect, ha.
It might be that they've issued out quite a few for propaganda purposes, to appear in the video. Difficult to know.
@@TheArmourersBench That makes sense. So if they just grabbed the rifles right out of the boxes for the video and photo, they would not had worked out who is getting the 40mms just yet.
On a second note, if I was there and was handed one of these rifles, I would not feel bad about that at all. It is a bit long and older, but they are great rifles, and these seem to have not been ridden hard and put up wet like some rifles I see in inventory.
Definitely been something a lot of countries have done over the years but as I say, tricky to know for sure.
Yeah, having gotten some trigger time with an A4 recently, I wouldn't not be disappointed to be handed one!
Well, rifle grenades have always done well in extending the range of a hand thrown grenade. Considering lots of combat is taking place with entrenched enemy positions, that extra bit of blammo would be super handy.
Also, the 40mm grenade was one of the reasons the 60mm mortar systems have declined in numbers in the latter part of the 20th century. I get that a proper 60mm Mortar can usually outrange even the best 40mm automatic grenade launcher...But, 35 rounds of 40mm dropping 1500m away in a short order is quite a lot of bombardment capability for a small crew. And the Russian model AGS-40 ranges out to 2500m, and it gets used in the mortar type fire support missions regularly.
We just shipped over our overstock of rifles. In this case, the majority of them have M203 on them
Aka "the musket"
The m16a4 never let me down when I was in the core
Core?
@@larrys4383 USMC
Love the picture. especially the smiles.
Thank you for the video!
Thanks for watching!
The ACOGs are awesome. Once you've got your rifle zeroed, anybody can hit within a few MOA out to 100yards with them with a decent rifle. Tritium red dot in the sight for night shooting, sunlit red dot during the day. No batteries needed. No more spray and pray. Turns your average infantryman into a designated marksman. And oh, at the civilian level, the ACOGs are more expensive than an AR-15 equivalent. You should have spent more time talking about the ACOGs.
Plenty of ACOGs on all the M4s that have been in use since the spring. Il cover them in more detail in my video on the M4s! Thanks for watching.
Been seeing guys also take the ACOGs off of NLAWs and putting them on rifles after the launchers are used.
@@baneofbanes Hey that was something I didn't know! I looked it up and the NLAWs have a Trijicon NCOG on them! Wow, a $2000+ optic on a disposable missile launcher tube!.
@@gandalfgreyhame3425 4x ACOGs are not $2k. You can get a basic TA-31 for $900. RCO for a bit over $1100.
@@jcoolG192 Yep, you are correct, although some versions of the ACOGs have retail listings on the Trijicon site at over $1700
As a former Finnish Army conscript, I would love to try shooting an M16A4 or any AR variant for their ergonomics and lighter round.
If you were in the United States, you could come to my house and try one. No full auto, though.
@@georgesakellaropoulos8162 Hahhah, thanks :)
@@georgesakellaropoulos8162 You could have full auto like the Ukraine boys if you really wanted it
Used a M16A2 during my days as a Singapore army reservist
@@hellishcyberdemon7112 Trying to stay law abiding for the moment. I know what to do when I need to.
Send them everything. Like now. Slava Ukraine. From Tampa, Florida.
Very good! It seems not everything is puplically disclosed which is fine by me
They’re probably, in majority, M16A3’s. They’re essentially the same thing as the A4 but have Full-Auto firing mode in instead of the A4’s burst fire mode. The US Army finished phasing them out not long ago and they are no longer is service. Ukraine is probably getting them from the US Army’s massive, no longer issued, stock.
Edit:
I say they are likely M16A3’s (PIP) because they aren’t in service by the Army at all anymore.
The Marine’s M16A4’s are still in use by support and other non-infantry marines.
It would make more sense if the Army’s completely unused stock of M16A3’s were being sent over there.
Perhaps so, I will have to see if we can see some marking in future imagery.
The Army never really issued the M16A3 it was mainly a navy issued weapon (Seals, sea bees). Army security forces and maybe Army special forces had them in inventory for a brief period around 2000 (prbably never used them as they had M4A1's), Theyre almost definently A4s.
A great American classic! There are no words to describe how much I love this rifle!
Where can I get one of those patches for my collection? Those are badass
For general infantry I think 16 is hard to beat. Especially with newer 556 loads. For getting in and out of vehicles it's better than a 20 with less loss than the 14.5...leave the 10.5s for the door kicker SF guys
I would be interested to know if these were newly manufactured M16's from Colt or FN. If not were these the old military ones provided to the UK military by the US Gov. since they really don't use the M16 anymore?
From the few images of them we have I'd say they're probably recent production from FN. Thanks for watching.
These are no doubt going to perform well in the open spaces of Ukraine. Really amazing rifle
It was reported a few years back that Ukraine had ordered 545x39 and 762x39 calibers in the M16/ M4 barreled uppers configuration.
The use of the 545x39 and 762x39 caliber ammunition in M16/M4 configuration firearms makes sense mainly for logistics. Just the Magazines, Bolt and Firing Springs would have to be replaced.
I was issued the Colt M-16 a 2 full auto when i come to vietnam. No one really liked the Matel/ tonka for such a small round. The m-14 was issued as a sniper weapon. pleiku, vietnam. 4th div. 69th ARMOR.
Love this service rifle, 20" barrel length is optimal for 5.56mm rounds.
Infantry grenade volleys go brrrrrr
...Pop
@@TheArmourersBench woooooosh
I have an FN made M16A4 upper that I bought. Great rifle.
Thats the most rail covers I've seen on a M16 M5 handguard lol
Imagine that some of these rifles saw use i GWOT now they been used against the russians.
Yup, I’d rather have the M16 rather than M4 if I we’re fighting there, that 20” barrel gives better performance at 300m and greater.
M16 platform is one of excellent platforms to use, however I do not know much about the logistic hell in Ukraine. The special ops and English/Western volunteers of UA regularly uses M16/M4 which is a minor fraction of the whole UA that uses 5.45/7.62 which are easily accessible and everywhere due to Russians and their foreign soldiers using same ammo. So it would be ideal to plan the logistic of supplying 5.56 then issue 5.56 platforms when you got the supply route ready and reliable.
I don’t know if you notice but in the arms packages we send Ukraine. Every month there is usually one line that says millions of rounds of small arms ammunition. That is probably almost all 5.56 and any 5.45/7.62 laying around. Don’t think 5.56 ammo would ever be a problem quantity wise if the U.S. and the west keeps supplying it.
Would be interested in a collection of sightings of the Mosin Nagant in use by either side. I know there were some pics from early in the war, and in recent months, a video of possibly DPR or LPR use of the scoped variant.
That's something I'm actively working on. Working on traxki at least 2 dozen different weapons at the moment.
Fun Fact: The Average AK COD fan boy can't tell the difference and all they can use are old Vietnam era M16 sources.
Ain’t that the fucking truth.
"b-b-b-but 65 years ago the rifle was bad according to anecdotes!"
@@Nathan-Roman Dont you know? The first lots of ammo for the M16 (Not even A1, M16-) where made with the wrong kind of gunpowder and had problems, which means all AR15 derivitives afterwards are all trash, TRASH I TELL YOU, unusable!
What if someone finds a box of ammunition with a 1960 production code EH? WHAT THEN, THEY ARE DOOMED
From what I can ascertain, M4A1 seemed to be favoured initially by SF units for room clearance due to its shorter overall length and was then rolled out to multiple units. The M16A4 is still favoured due to its ability to reach further and its felt recoil, not forgetting its iron sights. I guess in terms of the battle-space which is wide open or woodland the M16A4 is better suited for that type of engagement but there’s probably a larger surplus stockpile of M16A4s available. Overall, a decent weapon that can be shipped in large quantities to the troops that need them! Anyhow, good luck Ukraine! Kick Putin’s arse!
With a 20” barrel every round is now a duty round!
Better than a 14.5 inch tube i personally prefer the 16 inch tube uppers.
20in barrel is really good for open ground, especially when they are attacking
I'm curious if they came with bayonets as bayonet use is still a component of the infantry training syllabus in the UK where many of these soldiers are being trained.
Can't spot any in the photo but I would imagine they would have shipped with them if they shipped them by the issue list. Not seen a lot of bayonet use in Ukraine come to think of it. Odd considering Russian doctrine.
@@TheArmourersBench The Ukrainians will have to push the Russ out for good by standing on their ground and taking it from them so I think bayonets will be used sooner or later. Nothing says "f*ck off" like a company of lads with fixed bayonets. It's a statement of intent more than anything.
@@zoiders yeah, the psychological value/impact of them is hard to argue against.
Yeah exactly. I think this would still be very much essential both for training and the hardware, as British infantry units did have to actually use bayonets a few times during direct confrontations with enemy forces in Afghanistan.
@@TheArmourersBench why bayonet someone when you can just shoot them?
You can get one from FN USA in the semi automatic variant for 1750,00 usd.
Or build a good one for $1,000.
@@SonOfTheDawn515 not with a hammer forged barrel with SAW spec chrome lined bore and chamber you won’t !
Gov will send these all over the world to anybody but god forbid your ar15 can shoot 3 bullets with one pull of the trigger.
@@hws-rl1cp in actual combat, well trained soldiers seldom use full auto on their battle rifles
@@hws-rl1cp right!!!
Not surprising, the US has tons of A4's just sitting in storage. I wonder if these are marine rifles since they have the acog. I think that's what marines used during the invasion of iraq? I don't recall all of them having bloop tubes on them though.
Well the marine corps did switch to the M27 for all the 03s, makes sense they’d keep the M4s and ditch the M16s for the rear echelon forces...
Yeah the 16.5 inch barrels of the M27 are a nice size to be used for both urban and rural engagements especially when 5.56mm ammo needs at least over 2600 fps to be lethal and the 16 inch keeps its at 2900 fps to do what it does best.
well if i was in Ukraine i would prefer the m16a4, maybe with standard A2 handguards over the M5 ras to save weight.
@@Mortablunt honestly I'm a far right winger (for today western standards) and if you ask, for me the war in Ukraine is a problem between Slavs, so absolutely not my business. My comment was only related to the type of war and the rifle in consideration.
@@Mortablunt The overwhelming majority of ukranians are not nazis
The Ukrainians are getting FN FNC rifles? How lucky can you be? I would love to have one.
The FN FNC rifle is one of two rifles I consider top tier rifles. The other is the Robinson Arms XCR-L rifle. Both are clear diversions from the AR-15/M-16 platform. The XCR-L and FN FNC are long stroke, gas piston operated. Both with side mounted charging handles. The FN FNC is on the right side. The R.A. XCR-L is on the left side. Both have folding stocks. The stocks fold to the right sight with positive locking in the folded and straight positions. The FN FNC is made in Belgium. The Robinson Arm's XCR-L is made in Utah, USA. Both chambered in 5.56-NATO. Both use STANAG sized magazines. These are NATO specification magazines. Both have piccatinney rails to add optics. Both are very dependable in adverse conditions.
Hell just ask Joe Biden if you can have one since we’re just handing out weaponry.
At the start of the war I did see a Ukrainian Police special unit, their version of a SWAT team, with M4's but everything else was AK74's or Ukrainian bullpup which is multi caliber with some territorial guard units with old AK47's then I not surprisingly saw the Ukrainian Foreign Legion with M4's. Not surprised that we are starting to see more units with M4'S, FN's and M16's since I heard Ukrainian and probably other Eastern European militaries are starting to run low on stores of everything Soviet era and that Ukraine was being told they are going to have to start to switch over to NATO standard everything if they expect continued Western supplies.
Saw a new photo on Twitter today with what look like M16s in Bakmut .
Id be interested to see that
Instead of Red Ryder BB rifles, the Ukranian 47th Brigade got M16A4s from Santa Claus -- Merry Christmas. The ACOGs and 20in barrels will help these troops to reach out farther across the open ground, and the 203s will be good for lobbing 40mm grenades into trenches beyond throwing range.
that is an effective combination. I would like to be issued an m16a4 as they are excellent rifles.
A full length m16 very fun to ring steel targets with, I’ve enjoyed a the A4 but it’s fun when it’s a A1 then go to a Mark18 by Daniel defense and your like where the juice go in the cartridge 😂. I prefer 18” to 20” rifles cuz the 556 is really forgiving then.
This is great news. It's a fantastic weapon and I hope they have some extras for me.
Honestly, I can't think of a better rifle for Ukraine given the open spaces. Yes it's not going to do well in room clearing but, 5.56 out of a 20" is devastating. Top it off with an ACOG that gives you a major advantage against someone using irons, it's going to be a bad day for anyone on the receiving end. Maintenance and availability of parts is a dream for the logistics guys with how ubiquitous the AR pattern is.
The problem with a longer range infantry rifle is a after a certain point it just starts competing with armored vehicles and artillery, which totally outclass it. Most of the rifle fighting is as always very close.
@@Mortablunt That presumes that they have consistent support for everyone which isn't the case. An AK with irons is fine until it isn't. In any case, they get what we have to send so it's not like they're choosing the A4 over everything and anything else. Edit: it seems like these might be new rifles based on what others have said so maybe I'm wrong. Not sure.
@@Mortablunt that's what NLAW and Javs are for.
@@Mortablunt how is it a problem to have a more accurate rifle in an open space?
Thank you for a short to the point video of what I wanted to see. Glory to Ukraine
Thanks for watching. That's what I aim for.
Have you uploaded a ballistics compare/contrast of the American 40mm grenade to the Soviet 30mm grenade? ( Both the rifle carried, not the heavies. ) Thank you.
I haven't but that would be interesting to do!
@@TheArmourersBench Perhaps that is a test that can only be done in Ukraine. ( They use both. And the heavy automatic weapon versions also. )
First time on the channel. Nice video.
Thanks for watching! Check out some of the earlier videos hope you find them interesting.
PRICELESS GUNS I DON'T HAVE!
each time i see the M16A4 with grenade launcher i think about Battlefield 2 Q_Q
Thank you 👍👏🏻
Those rifles could've been used to storm Fallujah back in '04 and now they're being used to slay the Devils doing the Bears doing
The M16A4 is an excellent modern battle rifle. It uses a NATO standard cartridges (both 40 mm for the 203’s and 5.56) which is very important. Easy to attack IR laser pointers or flashlights or opticsetc if needed.
Please do a video on 155mm DPICM artillery rounds.
Happy to. Send me some examples of their use Ukraineweaponstracking@gmail.com
For them id suppress everything supressable from noise, its both for immediate benefit and long term
Red and purple hair in combat is an interesting choice.
they/them army
Definitely a propagandized photo inteded for Western audiences.
@@IFarmBugs as is almost everything released by Ukraine.
Where?
@@IFarmBugs Bullshit. Citizen soldiers. You fight with the army you have.
Nice to see Ukraine using more western made weapons
Yeah I’m sure it is, especially when someone else is paying for them.
I like the boom tube, in my mind i could emergency advance or retreat at basic minimum or have a opportunity to to
Well if they need more firepower for hand weopons Belgium have a surplus of +50.000 FN fall still in stock and a massive number of 7.62 ammo stock
The thing is 7.62x51 battle rifles are not really competitive for the kind of fighting happening there.
Carried the M203 during my time. Loved it. I am sure the Ukrainians will do well with it.
They're obsolete now, but this will always be my favorite rifle of all time.
Eh, depends on the location really. If you are not door kicking I'd take a 20" barrel all day.
"Obsolete" isn't the right word for that
@@Nathan-Roman It goes out of production in two years and the final contracts are for countries like Nepal, Grenada, Afghanistan, Iraq. In three years, it will be.
Free floating in particular is a huge deal and M16A4 is not. With M855A1, and newer ammunition on the horizon, 20" is completely obsolete. M4s get nearly the same muzzle velocities as M16s with M855A1, and the XM7 for all NGSW's stupidity does easily prove you don't need very long barrels to get stuff to over 2800 fps anymore with new cartridge tech. It literally gets rifle length 7.62 NATO performance out of a 13" barrel ballistically.
Obsolete is exactly the right word. In two years it'll be out of production, and it's been seriously behind for a decade. With current technology, you could make a 12.5" AR variant in a new cartridge get better ballistic performance than the M16A4 does with 5.56x45, without increasing cartridge weight or rifle weight, just recoil. NGSW is just a really, really stupid application of this technology.
I really don't care to have a 2007 internet discussion about why the M4 is the worst thing ever, though (not directed at you, nathan)
Are there M16A4s with a piston instead of the DI?A nice video.
All A4s are 'DI', thank for watching.
@@TheArmourersBench Thank you. I know the HK makes the AR pattern rifles with the piston but those are not the M16 variants with the direct impingement right?
Equipping Ukraine with NATO-caliber small arms doesn't seem all that high priority. So far it has been largely an artillery conflict en there are still plenty of "good enough" Ak-74s laying around within NATO allies plus the ammo for it. If there's one reason I can think of why adding 5.56mm caliber logistics complexity to Ukraine's ammo distribution, it must be the 4x ACOG scope that can make a difference on the battlefield and not so much the M16A4 rifle. Plus of course all these NATO small arms have been given to Ukraine anyway. I guess in that regard it makes sense to equip them on newly formed brigades that have largely been trained with NATO small arms.
People keep dismissing the 5.56 and I keep having to explain the logistical reasons why it 100% is the right choice. There are also numerous things about 5.56 platforms that make them a force multiplier that the AK variants are not. Every state arsenal in NATO supplies 5.56 by the million on a weekly basis. Supplies of 7.62x39 come nowhere near to that. Outside of Russia there are two nations producing 7.62x39 namely Serbia and the Czech Republic and both of those nations prefer 5.56. Two. Versus every other NATO nation.
@@zoiders The standard issue rifle of the Ukrainian ground forces is the AK-74, which uses 5.45×39mm ammo, not 7.62x39. This round has similar characteristics compared to the 5.56 cartridge, so definitely no force multiplier difference here as far as ammo is concerned.
@@Drrolfski Again you are focusing on the wrong factors. Ukraine were fighting with what they have which was historical stocks of AK74 pattern rifles. They did however have notable numbers of Western rifles in service and now they have tens of thousands of them at least. The AK74 is hard to modernise. The glut of rifles such as the M16/C7/C8/Bren 2/SCAR L etc all have the ability to mount not just optics but night vision and the all important IR laser for target designation. These are the things that make a modern infantry rifle and its why they want more of them. The Russians have reported losing entire battalion HQs to Ukrainian company size attacks. Mostly at 3AM in the morning. That is how NATO fights, that is how the Ukrainian troops they trained now fight. You can't keep up with that with your iron sighted AK74. The logistical problems in relation to 5.45x39 are even greater than with 7.62x39.
@@zoiders I'm not focussing on the wrong factors. As I said, if anything it is about the optics that can make the difference with NATO small arms, not so much the rifles themselves and definitely not the ammo. And the scenarios you mention are mostly relevant for shock troops/special forces on the offensive. For the average Ukrainian soldier, defending a static trench line that sees only artillery duels, replacing the AK-74s they're comfortable with, is definitely not the highest priority atm.
As for logistics, afaik Ukraine is still producing its own 5.45x39 ammo (at least it did before the invasion). Bulgaria, Poland, and Romania are also producing it.
@@Drrolfski Despite all that patronising guff about Ukrainian infantry the fact remains that they are being sent thousands of rifles by western nations and millions upon millions of rounds of 5.56 ball. Its not a debate - that is what is happening and it is one of the reasons Ukrainian troops have been so effective because their small arms and training out matches that of the Mobiks. Poland doesn't use 5.45 anymore. Just because you bought a surplus can of it at a gun show once it doesn't make it current production. You are getting fixated on that Americanism of "manual of arms". Most Ukrainians fighting today had never used a rifle before. They are not "used" to the AK74 pattern and they not illiterates who can't be taught how to use other weapons.
I carried one during half of my deployment from 07-08 in Iraq as an infantry Marine. The rifle is too long and cumbersome to be used in a vehicle or heliborne operations and during CQB. It is best suited for long-range engagements and open environments such as Afghanistan... Just my two cents.
Most of Ukraine is a large open environment so probably a good choice.
The M16 A4 is the most effective and deadly of all the AR 15 platforms. If you are not fighting out of a vehicle or confined spaces it is outstanding.
I fought in Fallujah 04 with M16 A4 M203. With 1MARDIV.
The M16A4 is finally gets to do what it was deisgned to do.
engage russians.