A select fire variant can be ordered by military or law enforcement organizations with three-round burst or fully automatic capability.

It is compatible with most standard AR-15 parts, can mount various attachments such as options on its picatinny rails and has the ability to accept all AR-15/M16 type STANAG magazines.

There is also a military M4 Type Carbine which comes with a 14.5 in (370 mm) barrel and a removable "bird cage" flash suppressor.

[5] An M4 Type Post-Ban Carbine was developed for the 1994 United States Federal Assault Weapons Ban requirements.

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.