The M-16 is a piece of @^*%. It jams due to dirt. Even when it is working, it has neither the range nor the hitting power that the American soldier needs on the battlefield.
I would like to see it replaced with a new gun built around the 6.5 mm Grendel cartridge. This cartridge has the range and hitting power required, yet it is still much smaller and lighter than the NATO 7.62 mm round.
http://www.65grendel.com/
Furthermore, the weapon should be recoil operated, not gas operated, for greater reliability and simplicity in general.
Still, even if a gas-operated weapon is chosen, there are some very good ones out there right now. R&D costs, ZERO.
6.5 Grendel AWS
Source: http://www.competitionshootingsports.com/catalogue/category33/product45
REALLY OFF-TOPIC: The USA needs a new standard rifle.
The whole thread (28 posts)
- REALLY OFF-TOPIC: The USA needs a new standard rifle.
- Concluding remark on this thread.
- A replacement is already under development and test
- Pardon me. I meant a GOOD replacement.
- Did you even read the article before making your 'expert pronouncement of fact'?
- did you miss the bit about XM8 being lighter and more reliable than M-16? (n/t)
- So sayeth David, it must be true
- He's right.
- Too heavy at 18 lbs. MUCH too expensive. No improved hitting power.
- Pardon me. I meant a GOOD replacement.
- USA loses and old standard.