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I'm not sure if this can be done given the politics of money and contracts. BUT, I say we get rid of the Beretta 9mm and go back to a .45 caliber sidearm (maybe the Springfield Armory V10 comp gun) AND we trash the M16 in favor of something like the M14 (maybe an FN/FAL) but in carbine length, and in 7.62x51 caliber. I have heard too many stories from Iraq and Afghanistan about having to put many more than one round from either of these weapons into a fast closing adversary in order to "make the stop." I'm sure this is not something easily done, but perhaps now is the time to start discussing things with Congress.

I'd also put in an order for better constructed desert boots, and ditch the concept of the old "canteen" in favor of something like a "camelback" hydration system. Items like this are probably more "doable" than taking on the legal forces of Colt and Beretta. lol

>>trash the M16 in favor of something like the M14 (maybe an FN/FAL) but in carbine length, and in 7.62x51 caliber.

Ever seen the muzzle flash from a cut-down FAL carbine, with 7.62x51? It is quite impressive. Not a good thing when you're having a lot of night engagements.

I believe the Stryker units have more designated marksmen with M1A's in the organization than previous infantry TO&Es. This is A Good Thing. There have been a couple of reports related to this in Stryker threads.

Re your #167:

A hearty "Amen" for your suggestion to return to the good old .45ACP.

Any "soldier" too effeminate or limp-wristed to handle a real fighting sidearm needs to be back in the rear echelon behind a desk or on bedpan detail in the Hospital.

The 9MM is a study in military political correctness, and I have little doubt that it has already cost us some lives.

Although I'm not a big GLOCK fan, the plastic pistol in .45 would be pretty soldier-proof and weather-resistant I would imagine. And they can cast them in OD, which I'm sure the Army would like.

As to your rifle suggestion; we are on the same page there as well.

Have you seen the RobArms M-96, based on the STONER system?
Looks like a winner to me.

And we hear tell that the Army is experimenting with a new 6.85 X 43MM round that is way superior to the current 5.56MM.

Stay tuned!

WEAPONS OF THE WORLD: Marines Want Their .45s Back

April 23, 2004: The U.S. Marine Corps is looking for a new .45 caliber (11.4mm) pistol. While the American military retired the M1911 .45 caliber in 1985, some commando units still prefer it. This is because the 11.4mm (.45 caliber) bullet weighs twice as much as the 9mm one that replaced it and still has an edge in "stopping" someone hit with it. But the 9mm M9 pistol magazine carries 15 rounds, versus seven in the M1911. The commandos (Special Forces, SEALs, marine Force Recon) counter that their operations are the type where every round counts, and the fewer you have to fire the better. For the regular troops, the M9 has been popular, and successful. The 9mm weapon is lighter, has less recoil and has the extra ammo for users who are not sharpshooters.

The marines want to buy 1,100 new .45 caliber pistols and are having a competition to determine which of several models available will get the $1.9 million contract. The marines have been using M1911s rebuilt from the many old ones turned in when everyone switched to the M9. But even this supply is running out, and it is known that there are newer .45 caliber designs out there that are more reliable, lighter, easier to repair and more accurate. Some marines (and other troops) buy these newer .45 caliber weapons with their own money. Most American combat units tolerate troops bringing in some additional weapons, especially pistols. Some troops have been buying 10mm pistols, seeing this as a nice cross between the lighter weight of the M9 (2.55 pounds versus three for the .45) and the greater stopping power of the 11.4mm M1911 bullet. But there are new .45 models that weigh as much as the M9, carry more bullets (10) and are easier to repair than the M1911.

Afghanistan also raised the issue of stopping power once more, when individual troops went into caves or other tight places, where only a pistol could be used. In these cases, every shot counted, and the guy firing larger (like 11.4mm instead of 9mm) bullets was more likely to win. But most troops agree that any arguments over pistols is minor compared to issues involving all the other more frequently used weapons and bits of equipment. Nevertheless, there's something about pistols…