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The tankers were desperate for a coax that would run. The old M-219 was the worst POS since the Chauchat. Field stripping it and getting it back together was an all-day affair. We were getting waxed in NATO tank gunnery competitions, partly because we couldn't service the coax targets. I think it was the Brits who first modified a MAG to serve as a coaxial machine gun, and we stole the idea from them.

If range and accuracy are the primary concern, they would be better off with a 6.5mm. Hell, they could just neck down 7.62 NATO. Flatter trajectory, way more effective range, and better penetration in the same size package.

7.62 is really the wrong answer to just about any problem the military has these days. Like the 9mm, the only reason it is around is due to legacy issues. There are reasons those cartridges have been dumped in various times and places. We don't need to move backwards, we need to move forward.

6.5 mm is the way to go. Longer effective range than the 5.56, flatter shooting, and the bullets are a bunch heavier. This answers all of the concerns that the folks in combat haved raised (besides the lube issue, and that is independent of what rifle our forces use). I don't think that it would be too hard to put a 6.5 mm upper on an M-16 lower, but that doesn't much matter - for what Uncle pays for rifles (a couple of hundred bucks), I say to just buy brand-spanking-new rifles and mags. Since all soldiers are familiar with handling and sighting in on M-16 variants, keep the same look - but beef up the caliber. If I were in charge, I would put the M-4's sighting system on all of these new rifles.

And .45 is the way to go in combat, since you are restricted to FMJ by treaty. Hollowpoint 9's are fine, but the military can't use them. And if you could use hollowpoints, why wouldn't you want to use a .45 cal. "flying ashtray" anyway?

Thanks for the reply. Was the M219 the thing with the real, real short action (I mean, the whole receiver was about eight inches long) or was that the M37... the one I'm thinking of fed from both sides. You changed the position of something in the bolt carrier, moved some pieces, and voila, it was left hand feed.

Yeah, the Chauchat... one more kiss we owe the French. Well, all the guys who carried that and weren't killed by it are gone now, anyway... it was almost 90 years ago.

Some American weapons, including the M4, have issues, but I can assure everybody that responsible pros are working on them. Guys who know engineering are working with guys who have shot people with it, and all working with the contractors to make a better gun for everybody. We are agitating for wider availability of the effective 77gr Black Hills round, too.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F