I think the main problem is that no one will ever be satisfied no matter what rifle we field. It will be too heavy or too light, not powerfull enough, kick too much, hard to control on full auto, shoots too dirty, too hard to keep clean, too fragil, not accuate enough, too complicated, too simple, ect, ect.
I had no problem with my M16a2. Out of the 4 years I was in the Corps I qualified expert every time and I always made good money @ 500 meters.(Marines are not Soldiers:-)
Sure, you had to keep it clean if you were in the sand, and carbon would get all in the bolt and it felt like a toy(compared to an FAL or M1 or HK91 or M14) but it always did what it was suppoed to as long as I did my part. I think the last thing we need now is another billion or 2 or 3 dollar investment into an imaginary problem. The M16 family does have a draw back or 2 but you can have perfection, unless it is a gun from God.
love my dad’s M14...use it to take down deer and elk.
It’s like cars and women, Everyone has an opinion.
BTW. no offense to soldiers, but you are correct.
I had the pleasure of fielding with the marines.
They are sharp and they are decision makers.