U.S. Army Agrees That The M-4 Sucks

Strategy Page ^ | November 25, 2009

[myknowledge]

Proposed replacements for M4 / M16 assault rifle

FN SCAR

Barrett M468

Heckler & Koch XM8

FN F2000

IMI Tavor TAR-21

Remington ACR

Which rifle would you select as a replacement for the M4 / M16?

I'd go for the Remington ACR.

[MrPiper]

If the issue were put to a vote, the troops would vote for a rifle using a short-stroke system (like the XM8, SCAR or H&K 416)

Forgot the AK47 in the list...... pinged to later read after work.

[BellStar]

OK! So whats the hold up. Yesterday would have been soon enough than that's just me.

[Terpfen]

Just adopt the freaking FN SCAR or ACR already. I favor the SCAR, but the ACR may be more politically friendly.

[myknowledge]

Not only that, the ACR can be modified to fire the AK-47's 7.62 x 39 M43 round.

Imagine that, firing the same ammo as your enemy while still using a U.S. made weapon.

[Brass Lamp]

The Robinson Arms XCR is not in your list and is, I think, one of the more practical choices. Besides, these are all revisions of the AR-18, the patents to which long ago elapsed. All these manufacturers are just proposing their own innovative twists to the old Stoner concept for proprietary reasons. Instead of rewarding any one of them with a $2000/rifle contract, we should just offer them the opportunity to get in on a $500/rifle contract for new AR-18s.

[pnh102]

As much as it pains me to say it I have to agree. The AK-47 has a legendary reputation for reliability and a modern variant of it should also be considered as a replacement. It is inexcusable that so many of our troops have to die because of shoddy weaponry.

[Tarpon]

Yep, the AK-47’s Garand style action just works.

I bet they just replace the M-4 upper with a short stroke piston design.

Us civilians can always buy a Ruger mini-14. Mini-14, get it? M14 made small.

[Erik Latranyi]

As much as it pains me to say it I have to agree. The AK-47 has a legendary reputation for reliability and a modern variant of it should also be considered as a replacement. It is inexcusable that so many of our troops have to die because of shoddy weaponry.

The AK design does not meet military accuracy requirements in its original design.

Oh, you can 'accurize' an AK, but it loses its reliability as a result.

It is time for a new weapon system, not a repeat of something (the AK) that is over 70 years old.

[Recon Dad]

The AK as you have stated has poor tolerances, which on one hand makes it able to fire under almost any condition. But on the other does not add to it's accuracy.

My son who has the opportunity to work with most of the above named weapons enjoys the 416.

[Dusty Road]

I do a couple of deer hunts a year for Veterans with most of them being Iraq or Afghanistan Vet’s and I’m always amazed at how many of them would have preferred having a M-14. They’re biggest complaint was the 5.56’s inability to penetrate the dirt walls.

[flowerplough]

U.S. Army Agrees That The M-4 Sucks
Strategy Page ^ | November 25, 2009

The U.S. Army has finally addressed years of complaints about the M-4 and M-16 assault rifles. The M-4 is a short barrel M-16, and has become very popular with the troops.

---

Huh? The Army (brass) officially disses the M-16 variant M-4, but the troops themselves want more of ‘em? Huh?

[DuncanWaring]

The army and marines both decided to stick with their current weapons, rather than adopt an easier to maintain weapon, like the XM8 or H&K 416, because of the billion or so dollars it would cost to switch rifles.

Here's an idea - recoup a lot of that "billion or so" by selling the old rifles via the CMP.

Tell the ATF to sod-off.

[AZFolks]

This is totally emotional. ANYTHING FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN COMBAT.

[Recon Dad]

My son took four rifles with him to Afghanistan this deployment. A Barrett, M-14, M-40A1 and M-4. He will not have an issue with penetrating power for the most part.

[Yorlik803]

The problem with the Mini 14 is that it isnt really a accurate rifle. Plus the fact it is chambered for.223 and not 5.56, a small but important detail.

[ak267]

I propose a “skeet” test.

Taka a couple dozen Taliban, launch them into the air, and we’ll see how good these rifles are. :)

-—”I love the peasants, I love the people...PULL!!!!”
(History of the World, Part One)

[Terpfen]

So can the SCAR. Not a unique feature.

[Armedanddangerous]

A buddy of mine was able to shoot the SCAR recently. He’s a writer for a major shooting magazine. He said the SCAR was extremely accurate, but too heavy, and the charging handle was on the wrong side.

This is a guy who has his own HK 416 too, so he knows what he’s talking about. He said the SCAR could be tweeked to be a fantastic battle rifle.

[Armedanddangerous]

the Mini is very inaccurate at distances where M16s and M4s have no trouble getting the hits at all.