[PoorMuttly]

Barring the return of the M14, in Tanker config., how about also switching to a War-fighting military sidearm, like the 1911, or a good D.A., like Sig, but in 10mm...and a handy little 10mm Thompson...which would also make a dandy machine-pistol, for those special occasions. REAL handy, IMHO.

Bullpup nice too, as long as it shoots something worth shooting, not necessarily a zillion rounds of short barrel-impeded woodchuck stuff...so we "wound" instead of obliterate, or blow chunks off of whatever they're taking cover behind...like we did in the wars we've won so conspicuously. Ignore the college-bred geniuses and politicians, and go back to what worked...hopefully with 21st. century improvements.

[Dr Warmoose]

and a handy little 10mm Thompson

I always thought the MP-5 in a 10mm would do the trick.

5.56mm. Isn't that just your basic squirrel hunting sized .22 ? (Ok, with a little more muzzle velocity)

We may never see the good 'ol days of the 30-06 and .308 because all of the wimmin folk and the slack jawed, shallow chested boys coming into the army couldn't handle the kick like real fighting men.

[meatloaf]

Springfield Armory sold a short barreled M1A1 years ago with a folding stock. With the stock folded it was a bit over 30" long. It would be dandy in close quarters. And a .30 caliber to boot rather than the poodle round.