CS:GO is one of the most popular competitive shooters in the USA and Europe. About 1 million people play the game every day. Each of them strives to use the best weapons and implement the best strategies. In this article by Volodymyr Huda, you will learn more about the difference between popular CS:GO weapons – M4A4 vs M4A1-S. You can also use Profilerr’s Steam ID lookup to learn more about players and the weapons they use in tournaments.
History Of The M4A4 And M4A1-S
M4A4 and M4A1-S are two different variants of the M4 assault rifle in CS:GO. Each weapon has its own characteristics, which players use to their advantage in various combat situations. Let’s learn about each type of weapon in more detail.
M4A4
The M4A4 is one of the most popular assault rifles in CS:GO. The M4A4 weapon first appeared in Counter-Strike: Source and then was added to CS:GO in 2012 with the “Arms Deal” update.
The M4A4 is the main Counter-Terrorist (CT) assault rifle in CS:GO. It replaced the previous version of the M4A1, which was only available with a limited 20-round magazine.
The M4A4 weapon is characterized by a high rate of fire and recoil, as well as accuracy at medium and long distances. It is equipped with a 30-round magazine, which allows players to have more ammo in reserve but increases the weight of the weapon.
Among the best skins for M4A4:
- The Emperor
- Howl
- In Living Color
For example, The Emperor skin (its cost can be more than $300) was noticed in the inventory of the player Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyljev from the Natus Vincere team.
M4A1-S
The M4A1-S weapon is an alternative variant of the M4 assault rifle in CS:GO. The M4A1-S was added to the CS:GO game in the “Arms Deal” update in August 2012. It is a replacement for the previous version of the M4A1, which was available to CT players and had a 20-round magazine.
Among the best skins for M4A1-S:
- Hyper Beast
- Printstream
- Decimator
Comparison of M4A4 And M4A1-S
The M4A4 and M4A1-S are both popular variants of the M4 assault rifle in CS:GO, but their popularity can vary depending on players’ preferences and playstyles. Let’s look at the main differences between these weapons.
Fire Rate and Recoil
The M4A4 has a rate of fire of 666 rounds per minute (11.1 rounds per second). This means that the M4A4 is capable of firing at high speeds, which can be useful in situations with many enemies or when rapid suppression is required.
The weapon has moderate recoil. When firing with a weapon, there is an upward and sideways scope deflection that the player must control in order to remain accurate when shooting.
The M4A1-S has a rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute (10 rounds per second). The M4A1-S’s rate of fire is slightly slower compared to the M4A4, which means it fires slightly slower. This can be useful for players who prefer a more methodical and precise playing style.
At the same time, the weapon has less recoil than the M4A4. This means the M4A1-S has less scope deflection when fired, making it more accurate and preferred for long-range shooting. Recoil control becomes less demanding.
Magazine Size And Ammunition Capacity
The M4A4 has a large enough magazine (30 rounds) to allow players to fire longer bursts without reloading. This is especially useful in situations with many opponents or in need of sustained fire suppression.
The total ammunition capacity of the M4A4 is 90 rounds. This includes 30 rounds in the magazine and 60 rounds in stock. When the M4A4’s magazine is completely empty, the player can reload or use spare ammo.
The M4A1-S has a smaller magazine compared to the M4A4 (25 rounds). This may require more careful ammo management and more frequent reloading.
The total ammunition capacity of the M4A1-S is 75 rounds. This includes 25 rounds in the magazine and 50 rounds in stock. As with the M4A4, when the M4A1-S’s magazine is empty, the player can reload or use spare ammo.
Range And Accuracy
Both weapons, M4A4 and M4A1-S, have the same firing range. This means that both weapons can be used effectively at medium to long range to hit opponents.
The M4A4 and M4A1-S also have similar firing accuracy, especially during aimed fire. They both have a small spread of bullets. However, the M4A1-S is considered a slightly more accurate weapon due to its lower recoil and better scope control.
Sound Signature And Stealth
The M4A4 has a louder gunshot sound compared to the M4A1-S. The sound of gunshots can draw the attention of opponents and let them know about your presence. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on the situation. A louder sound can help draw in enemies or allow your team to pinpoint your position, but at the same time, it can make it harder to hide and evade enemies.
The M4A1-S provides a greater degree of stealth compared to the M4A4. The smaller magazine size and silence of the shots make the weapon less visible to enemies, which can be useful for stealthy approaches to targets or moving around the map without drawing attention.
Applications Of M4A4 And M4A1-S
If you are expecting strong opposition from opponents, the M4A4 can be useful due to its larger magazine size. A large number of rounds allows you to carry out longer shooting without reloading and better suppress opponents with fire. If the map has a lot of open spaces or long corridors, the M4A4 might be preferable as it has a high rate of fire and plenty of ammo. This allows you to better deal with long-range targets and cover a larger area with fire.
The M4A1-S may be preferred in situations where you need a greater degree of stealth. Its quieter sound and smaller magazine size allow you to remain more invisible to opponents and reduce the chances of drawing attention to your position.
Final Thoughts
The question of what is better to use M4A4 or M4A1-S, does not have a clear answer in CS:GO. Both weapons have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice ultimately comes down to your personal preference. Whether you are in Miami (USA, Florida) or Toronto (Canada), you can use Profilerr’s steam id lookup service to learn more about the tactics of the best pro players and see what they do in the game.
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