"The Chart" - Updated and Explained

[Charles Daly]

rob_s has converted his famous M4 Chart into a spreadsheet and loaded it onto Google Docs. It now has an "Explanation of Features", the "Specs" of the models and an easy to read "Comparison" of the models. You can view it in its entirety here: M4 Chart by Rob_s (http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA&hl=en)

We have a thread in this forum with a version of the Chart posted as it existed in August of this year. You can see it by clicking on this link (http://www.charlesdalyforum.com/showthread.php?t=178). One of the problems with the chart was that many people would see an old version of it and complain that it was outdated. It appears that Rob has addressed those complaints by posting a spreadsheet that can be easily updated.

You can also get more detailed information on the specs in The Chart, and see the lengthy discussion that follows on M4Carbine.net by clicking here (http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=6642).

Why do I post this again? We want our Forum Members and Guests to see how our D-M4LE "stacks up" against the other civilian M4's on the market. We only entered the AR market in April of this year and we are quite proud of what we have been able to accomplish in such a short time.

The Chart shows that as far as the specifications go, we are right up there with Colt, Noveske and LMT. Of course, specs alone do not tell the whole story of an AR's quality, but it does show that we have built them right. Several T&E's are on many websites that speak more specifically about the accuracy, dependability and reliability of our AR's, so the consumer can see that the CDD-15 is put together right and it runs and runs and runs.

The Chart will also show that we have room to improve and we are working on achieving improvement where we can. I readily acknowledge that. However, right now, I feel we can claim that our CDD-15 carbines and rifles, and specifically our D-M4LE, is the best value on the market for a mil-spec quality M4.

Kudos to rob_s for his dedication to the Chart project. His work is a "labor of love" and it shows. Check it out. I'm sure you will agree.

[Gramps]

There have been a lot of purchases decided by "The Chart". It was a great influence (among others) in my decision for a CDD M4LE. I say one of, the others were "Reviews" by people whom I have grown to "TRUST" on the error net. I used to brag that I went from the bottom of the chart to almost the top with my CDD. Now I can't believe "Oly" (My first one) has beet some one else. That's bad. :D

Thanks, Rob_s and Mr. K

[rob_s]

Yep.

For the time being the jpgs are hidden away, and the Google doc is the only thing available. This, hopefully, serves a few purposes.

The first is the obvious one of not having any control of old versions that are out there. I've read several threads where the fact that the Chart has been updated over time is somehow a negative. The Google doc is very easy for me to update, and as long as people go to that link it will always be the most current.

The second is less obvious. One of the problems of the Chart has been that it's mostly useless without the explanation of features. This way the explanation becomes the valuable part, and the Chart simply serves as a synopsis of the explanation. Hopefully when you click the link, the explanation comes up first and you have to click the tabs at the bottom to get to the Charts.

[melensdad]

I've been a critic of the chart, only because people tend to misuse it. The chart itself is not bad or good, its a tool. The tool has, by some, been misused to trash configurations and brands that are not M4.

I have to applaud your effort here with this update. I think it is very clear, the warning at the top is excellent, and the explanations should help literally thousands of people who refer to your work as they decide not only what brand to buy but what model to buy.

Thank you. :)

[rtintwo]

Rob the chart is looking very good and the explanations are great! Would it be possible to do green lines horizontally. The grey lines on light blue tends to make my eyes wander as i move to the left.

[McQ68]

I've read several threads where the fact that the Chart has been updated over time is somehow a negative. The Google doc is very easy for me to update, and as long as people go to that link it will always be the most current.
That's funny that some people would actually think it's a negative that the Chart is constantly being updated. If that's the case, we should all be driving Pintos.:rolleyes: But no, the car companies had to keep constantly improving cars and making them better. What a concept. Of those new people looking to buy a M4 profile AR carbine, I'm sure that the Chart helped them make an informed decision based on comparing facts and specs. It helped me with my decision, in my price range and that's why I bought a CDM4LE-before I even knew about this forum.:D Thanks Rob.:beercheer:

[rob_s]

Rob the chart is looking very good and the explanations are great! Would it be possible to do green lines horizontally. The grey lines on light blue tends to make my eyes wander as i move to the left.

I don't think I have control over that. One of the limitations of using the Google docs is that I loose some control over the graphic nature of the Chart. As they improve the interface, I'll try to improve the layout.

[steel609]

I think it looks great Rob. Detailed, yet clear and incredibly informative.

Alot of work has went into this chart.

Thank you!

[Zeus]

Excellent work. I've learned a lot just from that chart.Excellent starting place for a nooblet. :p

[McQ68]

Excellent work. I've learned a lot just from that chart.Excellent starting place for a nooblet. :p
"Nooblet" A chip off the old brick. I just called Steel a brick.:D

[rob_s]

For those that are interested in such things, the Chart and an article written by yours truly appear in the latest issue of "Surefire Presents Guns & Ammo Combat Tactics".

[steel609]

For those that are interested in such things, the Chart and an article written by yours truly appear in the latest issue of "Surefire Presents Guns & Ammo Combat Tactics".

Do you have a link to that article, I couldn't find it by searching?

I was in one of my local gunshops this week, when a guy I don't know, was asking the guys at the counter about AR's. I overhear him say "according to the chart....." The guy at the counter, after telling the customer alot of BS about different AR's, says he has never heard of the chart. The store guy walks away, so I looked at the guy and said, so, you have read the chart?

After 15-20 minutes of talking about the chart and it's features, the guy was generally thankful for my help. The thing was, I didn't really help, as much as I reinforced what he had already researched.

Bottom line is "The Chart" is a very helpful tool, and many really appreciate all the hard work put into it.

[rob_s]

No link. Check your newstand.

I'm hoping to get permission to post the article on my site. Funny right, permission to post my own article? I just don't want to step on any toes or make them feel like I'm giving away the milk for free.

[steel609]

Oh, it's an actual printed article.

Just goes to show how dependant we have become on the internet. It's the first thing I think of. :o

[McQ68]

Oh, it's an actual printed article.
Yep I read the article at my local Wallys yesterday. As usual, very informative and Rob even used spell check and all the big words were right. :D Good job Rob.