Posted on 08/07/2003 10:52:17 AM PDT by Long Cut
Caliber: 5.56x45 mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: no data
Barrel length: no data
Weight: 2.67 kg empty
Rate of fire: no data
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (STANAG)
The development of the XM8 Lightweight Assault Rifle was initiated by US Army in the 2002, when contract was issued to the Alliant Techsystems Co of USA to study possibilities of development of kinetic energy part of the XM29 OICW weapon into separate lightweight assault rifle, which could, in the case of success, replace the aging M16A2 rifles and M4A1 carbines in US military service. According to the present plans, the XM8 should enter full production circa 2005, if not earlier, several years before the XM-29 OICW. The XM8 (M8 after its official adoption) should become a standard next generation US forces assault rifle. It will fire all standard 5.56mm NATO ammunition, and, to further decrease the load on the future infantrymen, a new type of 5.56mm ammunition is now being developed. This new ammunition will have composite cases, with brass bases and polymer walls, which will reduce weight of the complete ammunition, while maintaining compatibility with all 5.56mm NATO weapons. Along with 20% weight reduction in the XM8 (compared to the current issue M4A1 carbine), this will be a welcome move for any infantryman, already overloaded by protective, communications and other battle equipment.
The XM8 will be quite similar to the "KE" (kinetic energy) part of the XM-29 OICW system, being different mostly in having a telescoped plastic buttstock of adjustable length, and a detachable carrying handle with the Picatinny rail.
Technical description. The XM8 is a derivative of the Heckler-Koch G36 assault rifle, and thus it is almost similar to that rifle in design and functioning. The key differences are the NATO-standard magazine housing that will accept M16-type magazines, the set of Picatinny rails on the forend, telescoped buttstock of adjustable length and a different scope, mounted on the Picatinny rail, built into the detachable carrying handle.
Bump!
I've had good luck with weaver scopes in the $150.00 range. Even on magnums. Maybe they're not the best for 1000+ yard shots, and definately not good for military duty use, but more than adequate for just about anything a person would normally encounter in daily life. Aging eyes require a bit of assistance sometimes, I can't hit anything smaller than a milk jug at 300 yards with iron sights anymore.
The M-14 was one of the finest rifles ever. However, the statements on this thread about weight and size, as well as ammo-carrying capacity, are excellent points.
However many hearts it would warm, we're not going back to full-powered battle rifles any time soon (or later!). We have to deal with what is, and that's the smaller calibers. Perhaps in the future, we might see the .243 or .260 as a replacement, but not just yet. We'd have to get all of NATO and most of the world onboard, too.
That's STILL smaller than a man's torso, or a deer's. I've always felt that if you NEED a scope to make a shot (excluding snipers), you shouldn't take the shot in the first place.
ok, what in the hell does THAT mean?
Okay: one detail at a time. Gas operated means that a small hole is drilled in the barrel, from which a portion of the gas pressure in the barrel during firing is tapped off to unlock the bolt, usually by driving it backwards enclused in a carrier shell, which then strips the next round from the magazine or belt as it returns forward and locks the next round into the barrel's firing chamber. It's a long-used and time-tested design, as utilized in the M1 Garand and Kalishnikov, among many other designs.
In that the bolt rotates to lock and unlock as it closes on the chamber, as per the Garand, Kalishnikov and Stoner AR15/M16 and AR18 designs, rather than using locking flaps or rollers in recesses in the receiver walls, as with the H&K rollerlocked or British SA80 weapon, it's probably more likely to be a fairly reliable weapon, not requiring a fluted chamber to function like the rollerlocked H&K G3 or the French AAT52 light MG. And it's probable that the stresses of operation can thereby be relatively easily contained, and that slight variances in ammunition pressure [as can happen from exposure to direct sunlight, storage, age, or manufacturing variances] shouldn't be as much of a problem as with some designs.
But my guess is that very shortly down the line, somebody will chop the barrel of that thing down even with the front of the forearm to make it handier aboard helicopters, inside armoured vehicles, and the like. And when they do, the ballistic effectiveness of the cartridge will suffer, the question being to what extent. I'd have gone with a bullpup; the state of the art in that department has not yet been achieved, and might yet be.
-archy-/-
I can't wait for the stupid gun ban to end in 2004 so I can buy more standard capacity magazines for this rifle and other magazines for my pistol without it costing me an arm and a leg.
Make that a 7mm, with a bullet of about 140 grains, and I'll almost agree with you. Of course, the attachment for an underbarrel grenade launcher of the M203 PIP/GP 30 type [or something similar] should be high on the list, and I think I'd want to see some sort of commonality with the new Mark 48, Mod 0 machinegun the SEALS are drooling about [essentially a 5,56mm SAW in a 7,62x51mm NATO rechambering] maybe even to include an option for belt feed. But it appears a nice first-generation start.
I have my doubts...I fear another "Columbine" or "McDonald's" style mass shooting next summer will see it not only renewed, but expanded, as our craven, cowardly reps scramble to appease the passions of the moment.
It looks cleaner and more streamlined that way.
The problem is that the SL-8 needs a receiver mod before it'll take anything but proprietary plastic fantastic 10-round mags, (at 60 buckadingdongs each, thankyouverymuch) so it's ONLY a sporting rifle. But if it's any indication of what the new piece will be like, it'll be a sweet shooter.
It is my understanding that it will be the basis for the OICW weapon system, which will include a 20mm "smart" grenade launcher. Prior to that, the launcher will be a modular attachement.
The 7mm sounds like a good round, but I'm inexperienced with it. Perhaps if I knew more, I'd be able to form a more coherent opinion.
As for that machine gun, it looks quite a bit like the South African SS-77 GPMG. Noo problem, as it's one of the world's best designs. i hope they didn't change it too much.
Of course, there's a lot to be said for the Hornady VLD design bullets too, if your barrel likes 'em. But they may cause some difficulties in magazine or belt-fed weapons, and generally require single loading in most present applications. But in a new weapon, that could be considered in advance....
That covers a lot. Tank, Thompson, or M1A rifle (M14)?
I can do just fine with a semi, though. I never feel underarmed with a semiautomatic pistol.
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