Overview
This is a short guide to newcomers on Insurgency Sandstorm, I understand that I don’t have too many hours on the game myself, but what I’m saying here is still valid. (All of the data I refer to when talking about armor damage numbers was taken from this spreadsheet made by reddit user bowedmapel: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_wmOX-H9j9vIGa83hmHq172-67vgPZ3O6IUd4u7LsgY/edit?usp=sharing)The M4 and the Mk 18 are two very similar guns, so let’s start with the differences. The M4 is usable by the security classes Rifleman, Demolitions, Observer, and Commander, while the Mk 18 is only available to the security adviser. (If you play a lot of domination like me, this is less of a pro for the M4, as this class system doesn’t exist in domination.) They have some slight cosmetic changes, but the magazines are interchangeable, even if they have different models. (you can pick up Mk 18 mags with an M4 and vise versa). They have all of the same attachments available, except the M4 can always use a smoke grenade launcher on it’s underbarrel, or an explosive launcher with the demolitions class, with the Mk 18 only having the standard selection of grips, no launchers. This is a major pro for the M4, as smoke grenade launcehrs are an economic and effective attachment. Now let’s get into the hard stats. The M4 fires the 5.56x45mm NATO caliber, with 25 vertical recoil, 7 horizontal recoil, 910 meters per second muzzle velocity, a 741 round per minute fire rate, 319 pp penetration, 30 bullets in a mag, with 35 and 50 extended mag options, and full auto and semi auto fire rates. The Mk 18 is slightly different, with 22 vertical recoil, 11 horizontal recoil, 780 meters per second muzzle velocity, and 275 pp penetration, with all unmentioned stats staying the same. what this means is that the Mk 18, compared to the M4, has worse penetration, worse horizontal recoil, worse velocity, and much better vertical recoil. It also looks better, but this is personal preference. The straw that breaks the M4’s back, however, is one simple feature. The Mk 18 costs one less point, meaning that you can invest in grenades, armor or pistols. This means that in Domination, there is almost no reason to choose the M4. But wait! I pulled a sneaky one on ya. One small, ignored fact on the spreadsheet shows that while the M4 kills in 2 shots with any body armor at close range, if the enemy is running any kind of body armor, which they almost always are, the Mk18 will kill in 3 shots, only two shotting with no armor. At longer ranges, past 45 meters, the m4 still 2 shots, only 3 shotting against heavy armor, while the Mk18 has the same damage ratings. This was HUGE for me when I saw the spreadsheet, and one of the reasons I started running armor. Due to the fact that you’ll be taking 1 more shot to kill in most fights, I simply can’t recommend this gun to someone who wants the best chance to win gunfights. Even the Mk 18s less vertical recoil isn’t a huge deal, as most vertical recoil can be avoided by pulling down on the mouse. But because it has more horizontal recoil they’ll be more randomness to your spread. The M4s superior velocity and penetration makes it better at long range; you won’t have to lead your shots and can punch through more walls that your enemy is hiding behind. But to rap this all up, these are very small changes, and if you enjoy having more credits for attachments or otherwise, or simply like less vertical recoil and the general ascetic of the gun,, you can’t go wrong with the Mk 18.TL;DR pros for both gunsM4:Available to more classesCan attach grenade launchersLess horizontal recoilBetter penetration and velocity; superior long range gunBetter damage against armor up close and at rangeMk18: 1 credit cheaperless vertical recoilLooks betterModel is mostly tan, blends in with environment more than the black M4.Hope you find this guide informative.