M4A1

The Colt M4A1 Carbine is an American military weapon created by Colt.

History[]

The M441 rifle family was developed from the M16 rifle, which was first used in the Vietnam War and in turn developed from the AR-15. There are several variants of the M4, including the MWS (Multiple Weapon System) version, the M4A1 and the SOPMOD (Special Operations Peculiar Modification) Block kits. Though the gun is U.S.-designed, it's used by military and law enforcement in other countries as well, including the British Special Air Service, the Australian Special Operations Command and many law enforcement agencies all over Europe. It is currently in use by U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Specs[]

Cartridge: 5.56x45mm NATO
Action:
- Gas-operated
- rotating bolt
Weight:
- 6.36 lb. (2.88 kg.) (empty)
- 7.5 lb. (3.4 kg.) (loaded with 30 rounds)
Length:
- 33 in. (840 mm.) (with stock extended)
- 29.75 in. (756 mm.) (with stock retracted)
Barrel Length: 14.5 in. (370 mm.)
Capacity: 30-100 rounds

On Criminal Minds[]

Non-Criminal[]

The following non-criminal characters used M4A1s.

Season Two
- SWAT officers - M4A1s are used frequently throughout the series by SWAT agents, beginning in "Empty Planet".
Season Three
- Unnamed Sheriff's Deputy - An unnamed Sherriff's Deputy is seen carrying an M4A1 in "Elephant's Memory".
Season Four
- Derek Morgan used an M4A1 to communicate mores code with its laser scope in "Minimal Loss".
Season Seven
- US Troops - A batch of US Troops in Pakistan can be seen wielding M4A1s in "It Takes A Village". They are also frequently shown with them throughout the series.
Season Nine
- Two M4A1s are seen in a locker along with a Remington 870, a 700 PSS and what appears to be a Colt Commando variation in "Final Shot".

Criminal[]

The following unsubs used M4A1s in their crimes:

Season One
- Phillip Dowd ("L.D.S.K.") - A budding "long distance serial killer", one-time workplace shooter, and one-time cop killer who killed two people and wounded eight others using this weapon. He meant to only wound victims so that he could save them in the hospital. One incidentally died because of delay of emergency personnel, while his last victim was killed intentionally. He later used it to take the hospital hostage.
Season Three
- Henry Frost ("Identity") - A budding serial killer, abductor, accomplice and attempted copycat of Francis Goehring who was equipped with an M4A1 while holding a hostage.
- Owen Savage ("Elephant's Memory") - An "injustice collector"-type spree killer, abductor, and cop killer who used an M4A1 to kill most of his victims.
Season Five
- Ronald Boyd ("A Rite of Passage") - A prolific serial-turned spree killer, copycat, cop killer, one-time mass murderer, and one-time enucleator who used an M4A1 mounted on his ATV while attempting to escape the BAU.
Season Nine
- The Regime Squad ("The Road Home" and "200") - Two unnamed members of this terrorist group used M4A1s during a gunfight with Blake, Morgan, Reid, and Rossi.
Season Eleven
- Phil Wilson ("The Job") - A SWAT captain and accomplice of Giuseppe Montolo who used an M4A1 in "The Job".

On Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders[]

Non-criminal[]

The following non-criminal characters use/used M4A1s.

Season One
- South African Police STF operator - They are seen armed with M4A1s in "Iqiniso".
Season Two
- Ryan Garrett - He wields an M4A1 in "La Huesuda".
- Nepalese soldiers - They carry M4A1s in "Abominable".