Why does the Army insist on M4s being black when everything else is camouflaged?

2019-01-08T00:39:08-05:00

And no, I don't need a citation to the ARs. This is a practical question.

Response by TSgt David L. made Jan 8 at 2019 1:41 AM

2019-01-08T01:41:20-05:00

Are you saying that ACUs blended with anything other than an 80s couch?! LOL

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Jan 8 at 2019 2:51 AM

2019-01-08T02:51:15-05:00

Cheaper than changing camo pattern every time deployed to a new environment.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jan 8 at 2019 5:03 AM

2019-01-08T05:03:33-05:00

I was told that (at least in some units) the weapons were actually leased, not owned, and it was a violation of the terms of the lease to paint them. However, pretty much everyone painted them anyway or at least had a camo paint job from the last guy who had had the weapon.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jan 8 at 2019 5:19 AM

2019-01-08T05:19:48-05:00

My M249 liked to turn a rustic reddish brown daily, if that counts.

Response by Cpl Bill Johnson made Jan 8 at 2019 5:47 AM

2019-01-08T05:47:47-05:00

Because they are cheaper to produce.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jan 8 at 2019 8:00 AM

2019-01-08T08:00:07-05:00

It’s called steel bluing, a process by which the metal is given a rust-resistant finish. Hence why. Then why paint them over with an additional coating? Some units have done so with a sand colored cammo which had to be removed at a later date. Guess what? There goes the bluing ‘cause PVT Snuffy Smith, on his desired to remove the pain fast and start his 4 day weekend, used some sort of harsh paint thinner!

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jan 8 at 2019 11:00 AM

2019-01-08T11:00:22-05:00

They don't. Unless it has changed in the past handful of years, the army authorized units to camo weapons as they saw fit as long as it was done appropriately.

Response by SGT David T. made Jan 8 at 2019 2:23 PM

2019-01-08T14:23:11-05:00

Weapons configurations are determined by TACOM. It allows their major item managers to support those weapons in a uniform way. This allows for interoperability and economies of scale when purchasing parts and consumables. From a practical standpoint, they would need to be repainted for each new environment.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 8 at 2019 7:39 PM

2019-01-08T19:39:49-05:00

Disclaimer: As a Marine I am duty bound to bust Army Chops on anything that sounds like fashion or a uniform change.

Because the Army can't decide what color beret to wear today. Imagine the "fashion wars" over who gets the purple AR with green flashes.

I have to go, I'm deep frying some crayons for dinner.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jan 9 at 2019 1:52 AM

2019-01-09T01:52:59-05:00

Because the bluing on the weapon protects the metal and can be cleaned with gun cleaning solvent, have light oil applied then rubbed off to protect the exterior from rusting. With paint added, which is a foreign substance on the surface that shouldn't be added anyway and doesn't protect as well as the bluing and if it has to be removed will more than likely damage the bluing which protects the metal. Also make darn sure on interior moving parts they are well oiled so they don't lock up. The paint also could well seep onto moving parts when being applied and make problems with the weapon including jams and malfunctions, its not a good idea in My opinion. Even with bluing, apply oil to protect the exterior but wipe it off so it doesn't attract dirt but still protects the metal and doesn't shine in the sun or other source of light or get all over You either.

The M4 has the same sort of operating system that the M16 did which I carried in Vietnam and only our K9 troops carried the shorter version as in the M4. Both took the same type of care to keep them operational. I kept My weapons clean and oiled and never had a problem with them in dirt or even monsoon rains in Vietnam or later versions of the M16 or M4 in later years of service. During monsoon rains as much as possible I tried to keep it under My pancho to protect the weapon from the water and the light oil on the unpainted surface helped that. I hope that answered Your question.

PS: I notice also that Major Javier Rivera also offered some comments here that You also may want to read on the same subject and the facts about the bluing and some problems that can be caused by painting. I happen to agree with the Army and the reason to keep it black.

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Jan 9 at 2019 2:27 AM

2019-01-09T02:27:14-05:00

It's a situation of mass consumption. That's the way they're manufactured.

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Jan 9 at 2019 2:40 AM

2019-01-09T02:40:37-05:00

Why does the Army wear camo and then drive in giant loud vehicles? Best not to dedicate too much brain power to such questions.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Jan 9 at 2019 3:36 AM

2019-01-09T03:36:34-05:00

Because making them into any other color would drive Colt and FN into (further) bankruptcy.

Response by LTC John Griscom made Jan 9 at 2019 6:42 AM

2019-01-09T06:42:29-05:00

Production costs.