Posted on 10/29/2015 8:47:15 PM PDT by Brad from Tennessee
The M16A4 may soon retire. This week, the Marine Corps announced via internal memo that the M4 carbine will become the primary-issued rifle in infantry and security units, as well as replace the M16 rifle in supporting training schools by September 2016. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller approved the change, which was first proposed to the previous commandant, Gen. Robert Dunford, according to Marine Corps Times. This decision falls in line with the Army’s phased transition away from the M16 over the past few years. The M16A4 is on the outs simply because it is outdated, and here’s why:
The fixed stock is a holdover from Cold War-era weapons design that doesn’t fit with other changes in training and equipment. The M4 retractable stock allows for an adjustable length of pull, helping troops with different body types to maintain good shooting fundamentals when they shoulder their weapon. The increasing use of body armor has underscored this, as comfortable length of pulls change once one dons a plate carrier or other protective system. Finally, the M4’s stock makes it easier to stow for transport; this is an important feature for vehicle and aircraft operations.
One of the biggest differences between the M4 and the M16A4 is the barrel length: 14.5 inches versus 20 inches, respectively. The M16A4’s longer barrel allowed for a higher muzzle velocity and a longer effective range; conversely the shorter M4 barrel limited its performance in both categories. But improvements in ammunition design have enabled the M4 to close the gap with its longer forefather. The Marine Corps adopted a new 62-grain, 5.56×45 mm Special Operations Science and Technology round. The SOST round is designed to perform out of barrels as short as 10.5 inches, so the M4 has no difficulty shooting. . .
(Excerpt) Read more at taskandpurpose.com ...
1966 Lackland AFB. Trained on the original M-16. No forward assist, no birdcage flash hider. Worked fine-then. Fell in love with the rifle.
At later military bases though, we shot M1 carbines. Then when going to SE Asia, I got to shoot the M-16 on full auto for the first time.
I thought the old Mattel tommy guns were better, but the barrels broke off pretty easily...
Your thoughts?
At least the snipers are allowed real rifles..............
Every Marine A Carbinesman.
The Deadliest Weapon In The World Is A Marine And His Carbine.
Hmn. I don’t like the sound of this.
I miss the M60, they were phasing it out for the SAW when I served...but that M60 had some serious fire power and range.
Isn’t the M240G basically an updated M60? Niece’s boyfriend got out of the Marines last Spring, he was a 240 gunner. He’s built like a barrel, which I guess is a good thing if you’re humping a 7.62x51 belt-fed. Which he did in Nowheresville, Afghanistan.
One of the best shooters I have had the pleasure of firing was Dad’s 03-A3 bought for $19 and came in the mail. No wonder the Marines on Guadalcanal did not want to give them up. If you could see it you could knock it down.
The M-16was originally designed as a survival weapon not a standard infantry weapon. When first issued the thing would rust overnight and the tight tolerances would cause jams Chroming the breech and the bolt helped. The weapon was designed to use fine grain powder but instead was was using a more coarse grain which caused a rapid carbon build up and jamming. Until those got fixed we lost a lot of people that way. I my opinion 5.56 is too light a round. 7.62 much better
The title is slightly misleading as they are not talking about a new type of rifle or cartridge. The M16 is being phased out in favor of the M4 which is already widely used. Interesting that they say the 20 “ barrel on the M16 is no longer needed due to improvements in ammo that gives similar performance in barrels as short as 10 inches.
Bah!
Humbug.
The 7.62 from the M14 turns “cover” with the 5.56 into mere “concealment”.
It just SHOOTS THROUGH more stuff to hit the bad guy. What you shoot it out of ain’t material to the conversation.
Completely different rifle. MUCH better.
Heavier, but much more reliable.
Takes the same linked NATO 7.62mm ammo, though.
The SOST round was a short-term, stop-gap measure while The Army was working on the M885A1 round. Now that the M885A1 has been fielded, the USMC and other services are beginning to adopt it as the standard round.
That said. Peeps like what they like. Firearms are like boats, there isn't a best or perfect selection for everything. There's always a compromise. d:^)
Interesting point. Especially when you consider that there were ‘letters of mark’ which allowed privately owned WARSHIPS to be used for US government purposes. Not a bad idea really.
Are there any companies that will be able to buy these and convert them to semi-automatic only for civilian sales?
Or are they all going to be smashed?
Boot camp at MCRD Parris Island in 1959 with M-1 Garand. Loved it.
Qualified in 1962 with M-14. Hated it.
Boot camp Cape May NJ 1971 (USCG) was the M1 Garand for drill and education, but shot the M-16 at the range. Wish I shot the M1 instead. 30-06 is a nice round.
“Interesting point. Especially when you consider that there were ‘letters of mark’ which allowed privately owned WARSHIPS to be used for US government purposes. Not a bad idea really.”
Not trying to be snarky, but I think those were “letters of MARQUE”, or something like that.
USCG TRACEN Cape May, Golf 120 company, April 12, 1985
M1 for drill and IT, M16 and 1911 .45 for weapons quals.
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