<P> The M4 was developed and produced for the United States government by Colt Firearms , which had an exclusive contract to produce the M4 family of weapons through 2011 . However , a number of other manufacturers offer M4 - like firearms . Colt previously held a U.S. trademark on the term `` M4 '' . Many manufacturers have production firearms that are essentially identical to a military M4 , but with a 16 '' barrel . The Bushmaster M4 Type Carbine is a popular example . Civilian models are sometimes colloquially referred to as `` M4gery '' ( / ɛmˈfɔːrdʒəri / em - FOR - jər - ee , a portmanteau of `` M4 '' and `` forgery '' ) . Colt had maintained that it retains sole rights to the M4 name and design . Other manufacturers had long maintained that Colt had been overstating its rights , and that `` M4 '' had now become a generic term for a shortened AR - 15 . In April 2004 , Colt filed a lawsuit against Heckler & Koch and Bushmaster Firearms , claiming acts of trademark infringement , trade dress infringement , trademark dilution , false designation of origin , false advertising , patent infringement , unfair competition , and deceptive trade practices . Heckler & Koch later settled out of court , changing one product 's name from `` HK M4 '' to `` HK416 '' . However , on December 8 , 2005 , a District court judge in Maine granted a summary judgment in favor of Bushmaster Firearms , dismissing all of Colt 's claims except for false advertising . On the latter claim , Colt could not recover monetary damages . The court also ruled that `` M4 '' was now a generic name , and that Colt 's trademark should be revoked . </P>
<P> The M4 was developed and produced for the United States government by Colt Firearms , which had an exclusive contract to produce the M4 family of weapons through 2011 . However , a number of other manufacturers offer M4 - like firearms . Colt previously held a U.S. trademark on the term `` M4 '' . Many manufacturers have production firearms that are essentially identical to a military M4 , but with a 16 '' barrel . The Bushmaster M4 Type Carbine is a popular example . Civilian models are sometimes colloquially referred to as `` M4gery '' ( / ɛmˈfɔːrdʒəri / em - FOR - jər - ee , a portmanteau of `` M4 '' and `` forgery '' ) . Colt had maintained that it retains sole rights to the M4 name and design . Other manufacturers had long maintained that Colt had been overstating its rights , and that `` M4 '' had now become a generic term for a shortened AR - 15 . In April 2004 , Colt filed a lawsuit against Heckler & Koch and Bushmaster Firearms , claiming acts of trademark infringement , trade dress infringement , trademark dilution , false designation of origin , false advertising , patent infringement , unfair competition , and deceptive trade practices . Heckler & Koch later settled out of court , changing one product 's name from `` HK M4 '' to `` HK416 '' . However , on December 8 , 2005 , a District court judge in Maine granted a summary judgment in favor of Bushmaster Firearms , dismissing all of Colt 's claims except for false advertising . On the latter claim , Colt could not recover monetary damages . The court also ruled that `` M4 '' was now a generic name , and that Colt 's trademark should be revoked . </P>
what brand of m4 does the military use
what brand of m4 does the military use
Colt Firearms
Colt Firearms