and then have to fall back and throw out the gee-whiz-bang part because it is not only too heavy, but doesn't even work properly, are NOT the kind of people who design reliable rifles. They CLAIM that it will be more reliable, but their performance with the program so far leads me to expect that this is yet another empty claim. Also, it fires the same pathetically weak 5.56 mm round as the M-16.

I saw the Israeli Galil rifle demonstrated. It was buried in dirt with the bolt open. It was then shaken out and fired flawlessly. This is the kind of reliablity that we need.

We still need a GOOD new rifle, and it is NOT likely to come from this program.

My idea of characteristics of a GOOD rifle would be:

1. Light weight -- no more than 3 kg, perhaps 2.5 kg.
2. 6.5 mm bullet with plenty of muzzle energy similar or identical to the Grendel.
3. Stainless steel throughout.
4. Barrel line directly through the shoulder (like M-16).
5. Plastic stock with built-in foam recoil pad.
6. Day/night scope.
7. Able to be buried with bolt open in dirt/sand/dust and fired immediately without cleaning.
8. Positive ammunition feed, not just from spring in magazine.
9. Able to fire entire magazine of 30 in a single burst without overheating or jamming.
10. Triple-based powder in bullets for power and flash suppression.
11. Easy and quick reloading.
12. Field strippable without tools, or with a single built-in tool.
13. If feasible (and it may not be due to high pressures), recoil rather than gas operated.