The 'M' on weapons
Printed From: History Community ~ All Empires
Category: General History
Forum Name: Modern Warfare
Forum Discription: Military history and miltary science from the ''Cold War'' era onward.
URL: http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23049
Printed Date: 24-Apr-2024 at 15:58
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.56a - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: The 'M' on weapons
Posted By: Balaam
Subject: The 'M' on weapons
Date Posted: 03-Jan-2008 at 13:27
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Why is it that on pretty much all of the weapons that the U.S. army uses they have an 'M' infront of the name.
Some examples being: M16 Assault Rifle
M4 Carbine
M203 grenade launcher
M249 SAW light machine gun
M9 pistol
M1014 Combat Shotgun
M107 Sniper Rifle
At first I thought the 'M' meant that they were made by Colt cause of the M16 and M4 being made by them which made me think on why would they only use guns by Colt so I looked these weapons up and found out they were made by different companys and most had different names.
So my question is what does the 'M' stand for?
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Replies:
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 03-Jan-2008 at 13:34
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Depends on the system, but it usually means "model" ------------- |
Posted By: jacobtowne
Date Posted: 03-Jan-2008 at 17:55
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Correct. It's an abbreviation for 'Model,' and is equivalent to the British Mark, or Mk. Originally, it was not abbreviated, as in "U.S. Pistol, cal. .45, Model of 1911." JT |
Posted By: Frederick Roger
Date Posted: 03-Jan-2008 at 19:24
| Ah, so it is just a matter of verbal laziness, then. |
Posted By: Catalán
Date Posted: 03-Jan-2008 at 19:28
I wish I would have known this before - it would have made it a lot easier to shut up all the recruits who always asked why the B in M240B was said 'Bravo' and the M wasn't said 'Mike'.
 Even though, twenty kilometer foot marches with the M240B and full battle rattle are easier to endure when you have something silly to take your mind off the weight.  |