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Comparison of M-16A2 and M-4 wounding potential
Paul J Dougherty1, Bradford K Matthews
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Objective:
Concerns about altered wounding characteristics of the M-4 carbine have been raised during recent deployments. Using the wound profile method, the purpose of this study was to compare the M-16A2 rifle with the M-4 carbine.
Methods:
The M-4 carbine and M-16A2 rifle were compared by firing five shots each into calibrated 10% ordnance gelatin at a distance of 3 m. Measured parameters included temporary cavity, projectile velocity, penetration depth, and bullet fragmentation.
Results:
The M-16A2 rifle produced a higher muzzle velocity (3,155 ft/s vs. 2,848 ft/s; p < 0.001) and larger temporary cavity (15.5 cm vs. 12.5 cm; p = 0.027) but decreased penetration depth (44.7 cm vs. 48.7 cm; p = 0.04), compared with the M-4 carbine.
Conclusions:
The M-16A2 rifle demonstrated greater tissue disruption using the wound profile method, compared with the M-4 carbine. Reduction of the barrel length is the major factor producing the observed phenomena.
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