[Ramius]

I hear today that the marines have officially chosen the M16-A4 over the M-4 carbine (carbine? hmm... I think it is...). This is a "replacement" I guess of the M16-A2.

I think that's the same model (the A2) I trained on back in Coastie days. We liked it just fine, but we didn't have much call to hump it over many miles of dirt and carry lots of ammo. We didn't usually take any on boardings. Maybe one, but that's it. We left one shooter on the small boat with an M-16 and two shooters on the ship, one M-16 and one .50 Browning (ooohhh yeahhh).

On boardings we all carried a .45, and one or two guys carried a remington 870 12ga riot shotgun, depending on the size of the boat. Very rarely did we actually do a boarding with a rifleman. Maybe only a couple of times than I can remember.

Interesting choice. But I really can't say if it is the right choice for them or not. g'nad.... you got any insight into this?

[Wneighbor]

I'm glad you asked g'nad cause I don't know the difference in those weapons.

However, I want a .45. I was looking at them a couple of weeks ago but don't know what I want. Any suggestions? I was looking at Rugers cause I like my Ruger .357. But, I really don't know what I want. Next time I get time when I am home I have friends who are going to let me try out 3 of theirs and see if I like any of them... but I don't know how long it is going to be before I get there. And I've been looking around now.

oh, I am looking cause I'm going to let Myranda have the .357. I have a friend who reloads .45's. The same couple who are letting me try out theirs. They said they would provide me with ammo if I get a .45. Good reason IMO.

[300winmag]

Interesting choice. But I really can't say if it is the right choice for them or not.

I think the military has realized that a flat-top M-16 is more vesatile, considering all the stuff you can hang on it. You get better ballistic performance out of the longer barrel, but the carbine looks cooler. I guess the Marines just don't want to be bothered with having a short version in their system.

[g'nad]

This is a "replacement" I guess of the M16-A2

the only difference in the A4 is that the "bug out handle" is removeable with an integral rail-mounting system on the M16A4. When the carrying handle is removed, any accessory device with a rail grabber, such as righteous and kewl optics or laser sights can be mounted... a handy option in this day and age... other than that, the rifles are identical...

heh heh heh... he sais "mount"... heh heh heh