Warrior Tasks TC 3-22.9

Weapons Knowledge (M4)

M4 characteristics, functions, weapons safety, and the elimination of SPORTS.

M4 Carbine Characteristics

  • Caliber: 5.56mm
  • Maximum range: 3,600 meters
  • Maximum effective range (point target): 500 meters
  • Maximum effective range (area target): 600 meters
  • Rate of fire (Sustained): 12-15 rounds per minute
  • Rate of fire (Rapid): 45 rounds per minute
  • Rate of fire (Cyclic): 700 to 970 rounds per minute
  • Magazine capacity: 30 rounds
  • Muzzle velocity: 2,970 fps
  • Weight (with sling and loaded 30-round mag): 7.31 lbs

The 4 Rules of Firearm Safety

  1. Treat Every Weapon as if it is Loaded.
  2. Never Point the Weapon at Anything You Do Not Intend to Destroy.
  3. Keep Finger Straight and Off the Trigger Until Ready to Fire.
  4. Ensure Positive Identification of the Target and its Surroundings.

Eight Steps in the Functioning Cycle

  1. Feeding
  2. Chambering
  3. Locking
  4. Firing
  5. Unlocking
  6. Extracting
  7. Ejecting
  8. Cocking

Immediate Action (No More SPORTS)

The Army eliminated SPORTS with the publication of TC 3-22.9. Immediate action is now rapidly executed without looking into the chamber. It is executed as:

  1. Tap: Tap the bottom of the magazine firmly to ensure it is seated.
  2. Rack: Rapidly pull the charging handle to the rear and release it (to extract/eject the faulty round and feed a new one).
  3. Reassess: Reassess the target and attempt to fire.

Remedial Action

If immediate action fails, apply remedial action. This is a continuing effort to determine the cause of a stoppage or malfunction and attempt to clear it once identified. It involves placing the weapon on safe, removing the magazine, locking the bolt to the rear, and visually inspecting the chamber.

Board Tips

DO NOT SAY 'SPORTS' AT A MODERN BOARD. Command Sergeants Major use this to immediately fail Soldiers who are studying from old 2010 study guides. Know the new Immediate Action (Tap, Rack, Reassess). Know the 4 Weapons Safety Rules verbatim (especially Rule 2: 'Destroy' and Rule 4: 'Positive Identification'). The eight steps of the functioning cycle remain a classic knowledge question.