The M4A1 CS:GO rifle has often been the go-to weapon on the CT side, but recent changes have meant that many players have turned to its more expensive alternative, the M4A4.
In November 2022, Valve reduced the M4A1-S range modifier from 0.99 to 0.94. This tiny change had huge consequences on which weapon many players would turn to on the server. The big issue was that it increased the number of body shots required to kill an armored enemy with the M4A1-S from 4 to 5 at medium to long range. It changed the makeup of most CS2 pro settings, with approximately 60% using the M4A4 at recent competitive tournaments.
Image Credit: CS.Money on Twitter
The M4A1-S is perfect for newer players. While it has a low magazine capacity of 20, its damage output and incredible accuracy make it extremely easy for players learning how to get better at CS2 to pick up and get kills with. At $2900, it’s not the cheapest rifle, but there’s a noticeable increase in quality between it and the economy-friendly alternative, the FAMAS.
In CS:GO, M4A1 fights are usually best taken at close range. When in close range, the M4A1-S can kill with four hits anywhere to the body. With its incredible accuracy, it’s a potent combination for huge frags. Of course, this tapers off at a distance, where its limitations become clearer. However, for a player with great accuracy, this increased time-to-kill won’t matter, as it’s a two-shot kill to the head from anywhere.
Perhaps its best feature is its use as a tool for stealth. Unlike other rifles, the M4A1-S leaves no tracers, making it perfect for countering T-side smokes. Combined with the silencer, the opponent will have no idea where they’re being shot from and be unable to accurately fire back. We’d recommend keeping the silencer on. Taking it off increases the recoil on the weapon, and just makes you much more exposed in general.
M4A1 CS:GO skins aren’t as popular as you might think. They’re quite expensive due to the popularity of the M4A1-S in general, but there’s yet to be that one iconic skin that defines the weapon. The AK-47 has a Case Hardened skin. The AWP has the Dragon Lore, and the M4A4 has the Howl. M4A1-S skins don’t have that equivalent yet, although there’s still time.
The most popular M4A1-S skin is the M4A1-S Hyper Beast, due to its unique design and relatively cheap price. You can expect to pick one of these up starting at around $10, which really isn’t bad considering the price of some CS:GO skins.
Image Credit: Gamersdecide
Despite its popularity, the Hyper Beast isn’t the most expensive M4A1 CS:GO skin, not by a long shot. If you’re looking for CS:GO free skins look away now – because the most expensive M4A1-S skin is the Welcome To The Jungle. A Souvenir Factory New M4A1-S Welcome To The Jungle costs around $4,500, so it’ll cost a pretty penny to get your hands on one of these.
Image Credit: BenSencs on Reddit
The answer to that question is entirely down to personal preference. While many players do prefer the M4A1-S, others would suggest that the AK-47 would take that mantle. It depends what you look for in a weapon. The M4A1-S provides strength at range, while the AK-47 is just pure power. There’s a reason the best CS:GO players in the world all drop the M4A1-S in favor of the AK-47 where possible. However, we’d say that newer players will find more success using the M4A1-S.
Is the M4A1-S the best rifle in CS:GO?
Definitely not. There are almost no benefits to taking off the silencer of your M4A1-S, and only downsides. A silenced M4A1-S leaves no tracers, whereas an unsilenced one does. It just doesn’t make any sense in competitive matches. In fact, taking off the silencer would probably be seen as poor sportsmanship, especially if you were winning the game. It’s a way of saying, “I’m better than you, and I know it.”
Should I take off the silencer on my M4A1-S?
If you’ve had a look on the Steam marketplace, you might have noticed that M4A1 CS:GO skins can be quite expensive to purchase. The explanation for this is simple – the weapon is such a popular choice in-game, that players need to have a skin to accompany it. While the gun doesn’t have many of the flashiest designs in the game, that hasn’t stopped gamers from ramping up the value of the M4A1 CS:GO skins over the years.
Why are M4A1 CS:GO skins so expensive?
Every player will have their own answer to this. We think that even with the M4A1-S nerf, it still packs enough of a punch to be worth using over the M4A4. The M4A4 can be deadly in the right hands, but so can any weapon. The only M4A1-S drawback is the magazine size, but any player can learn to control this with time, even in stressful scenarios on the server. This could change if Valve decides to buff the M4A4 at some point in the future.
Should I use the M4A4 instead?
LOL
CS2
Dota 2
Valorant
Fortnite
Call of Duty
Mobile Games
Gaming
EN Global 
JP 日本語