XM-8: New U.S. Service Rifle?

Modern Firearms and Ammunition website ^ | unknown | Unknown

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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.

[archy]

That 6.8mm at post 469.

I don't understand the big deal about coming up with one rifle design for all units and all purposes. H&K retooled just to make a few thousand 10mm subguns for the FBI. Let the USMC, for example, pick their own rifle. Let several rifle designs compete in the field, adn see which works best.

It looks like that's essentially what's going to happen. And there's a variation on the Robinson Arms M96 under evaluation too.

But the XM-8 looks to have been well-thought-out as a complete system, per following. And I don't see that big a difference between a 6.8x43mm and the 7mmx44mm EM-2 cartridge of the Enfield EM-2 of circa 1950. We could have had all these *modern* advantages half a century ago.

[Travis McGee]

We could have had all these *modern* advantages half a century ago.

Seems like we keep reinventing the wheel. But the materials have come a long way.

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I'll take the third from the top! For a person to use as a range-shooter, camp gun, home defense, and general plinking, a longer barrel seems better. For a semiauto-only rifle, a short tube would be as much of a hinderance as a help.

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Soldier Of Fortune magazine has a relatively good write-up of the XM-8 project in their current issue. Some highlights:

GREAT pics!

The chances of the weapon being adopted are now considered 50-50.

It WILL be able to be easily converted to 7.62x39mm, 5.45mm, and 6.3mm(?).

HK has NO plans to make a semiauto-only civilian version, regardless of any sunsets that may occur.

The impression of troops that have fired it is overwhelmingly positive.

[El Gato]

Shouldn't it be on the list of banned weapons?

It is. Two ways, it's full auto/select fire. If there was (and there already is) a semi auto version, it would be banned because it accepts a >10 round removeable magazine, has a flash hider, pistol grip, and a folding stock. It's evil plus one (only two of the 3 features are required to come under the ban).

Here is a possibly more up to date picture of one variant of the XM-8.

More info on the H&K site Including video.

[Travis McGee]

I don't know. Call me old fashioned, the XM-8 just looks like a sci-fi movie prop to me. I'd like to see the 6.8mm M-16 uppers fielded and tested instead.

[Squantos]

Money talks and Bullshit walks.......HK has NO plans to make a semiauto-only civilian version, regardless of any sunsets that may occur

HK likes income and will make a semiauto version if when the AWB dies on the vine !

Just my opinion of course LC !........Stay safe !

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I miswrote in my post above...the XM-8 will indeed be easily convertible to a 6.8mm. That should count for something.

I'd still prefer iron sights and a longer barrel, though. I agree with you...when I think RIFLE I think of a classic "shootin' iron", not a sci-fi prop. However, there were probably a lot of guys saying the same thing about the earliest M16s.

My dad once told me that you know you're getting old when you start not liking new stuff.

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I hope you're right. Seems I recall that HK took a big loss on their SL-8 rifle (derived from the G-36) when it didn't sell nearly enough units to make a profit. Could be they don't wanrt the risk again, or the mudgobbing that the anti's are SURE to hurl at any company that begins making "eeevviiillll" AR's again after the Sunset.

However, they DID say that they had "no plans" at this time. They might make some later, if the climate is right. I wish people would stop using weasel words, it's getting positively irritating.

[MileHi]

CAR's have been reported to cause the dreaded "Failure to Stop" nightmare,

Can you elaborate on this?

[Squantos]

Verbage in Corporate world is self cleansing these days. Anything they say do or get caught at can be spun. HK is just following suit to prevent such fiascos as suits worried about being sued.....by a person named sue...{:o)IMO.

I gotta tell ya , for me all HK products are butt ugly, and too expensive . I made a couple of investment buys of MP5 series NFA toys and made good money on em. Aside from the HK21 series and the P9S in 45ACP I have never had a "desire" to use or possess one.

HK these days will have to appeal to the homeowner, rancher, farmer, housewife and hunter sect to make a product sell. The new 6.8MM is a fine medium to work with IMHO for an all purpose round for a general purpose rifle for self defense or up to Elk size game . I took my first 4 elk with a .243 so it can be done easily.

Stay Safe LC.....

[PoorMuttly]

"Failures To Stop" have been attributed mostly to the shorter barrel either not giving enough velocity to the light bullet, and/or not stabilizing the bullets, which could limit accuracy...but I have read that the great wounding characteristic of our present round is related to high velocity and short, pointed bullets creating a "yaw" after contacting the target...even just slight resistance...then tumbling and falling apart in the process. A complicated formula, dependent upon higher velocity.

I am VERY pleased with this new .270 military round being developed! Bigger bullets break stuff well, IMHO, and they work with all sorts of barrel lengths, allow a wider range of weights, and can be loaded in very versatile ways...like the "whisper" rounds. I bet this round would be great in a Contender, etc.

[PoorMuttly]

An old buddy of mine was a Ranger in Korea. Had the traditional "permanent part" of his hair...scalp...from a bullet through his helmet...so, he certainly qualified as an Official Muttly Mentor. He is a gunsmith, and used to load for JFK's vintage "elephant guns"...always looking for scrounged lead..so I gave him a brick-sized lead weight from a motion-picture crane, and sold him my Mark X .300 WM barreled action...got to keep the Mentors happy...

Anyway, his unit of bandits were always improvising and trying to live...like using the old Maxim machine gun they found in a cave...the low bellow chopping away had an observable negative "impact" on enemy morale...but their .45's didn't do enough to the body-armored and heavily clothed, charging hordes. He liked and used his Lahti 9mm...and his eyes glossed over when speaking of it, like a long-lost love. Since he still packed a .38 at work in NYC, our having some real mob-torpedo entertainment there, from time to time...and for dissuading the Subway dignitaries occasionally blocking his commute, he would Mexican-carry a Luger, for all to see. It worked. Then again, he really knew how to use it...but from his experience, I went with the 9mm for work. Now, not needing penetration over everything...I am returning to the .45. The 10mm is just too scarce for me...but that would be my real choice.

This .270 cal is THE American favorite flat-shooter, and it would be gratifying to have it be our GI round, if it could be made to work. Sounds like an excellent Ranch and sporting cartridge, too.

[MileHi]

I see. I took it as filure to stop firing. I recently aquired a Colt Match Target. It is a nice rifle but I am not a real fan of .223. For $600 off paper, I couldn't pass it up.It's almost mint.

I still think a short cased .24 or .27 would be a better stopper.

FReegards.

[MileHi]

There is one on e-bay, current bid $405.

[archy]

I don't know. Call me old fashioned, the XM-8 just looks like a sci-fi movie prop to me. I'd like to see the 6.8mm M-16 uppers fielded and tested instead.

The problem remains that M16 magazine well that requires a straight section of magazine inside the well, transitioning to a curved configuration outside the mag well, the cause of most M16 feeding failures- as it is on the Armalite AR18, Galil with M16 magazine conversion [the Galil prototypes used Stoner 63 magazines, which work] and other weapons using the M16 magazine.

Box magazines for the M16 were made in 25-round capacities, similar to those used for the first versions of the French FAMAS F1 bullpup, one good answer to the M16s lower configuration. And with a cartridge change, that might well be made to work just fine with the M16A1/A2 lowers.

Or a new weapon alltogether, probably using plastic magazines, can be used. I've been pretty happy with those of the AK74/AN94 in the Russian 5,45mm caliber, so it can be done. And I wonder if one answer might be opening the Russian 5,45mm to use a .276/7mm bullet, a nice compromise between the 6.8mm and the original Kalishnikov 7,62x39mm- and very reminiscent of the British .270/30, [AKA the 7x43mm] for which the original test versions of the British FALs were chambered, dropped for the 7,62x51mm NATO instead. The Brits may have had the right idea all along- and in the bullpup British EM-2, the cartridge was said to be capable of dropping a man at 700 yards. The Brits were still keeping their claws hooked into their global empire then, and from India to Kenya, Malaya to Kenya and Rhodesia, a reliable automatic military rifle was still a necessity.

[MileHi]

Now that looks like a winner! Short case, major caliber, good powder capacity. Everything I love in a woma... er cartridge.

[Travis McGee]

Something in me just cannot love a bullpup. Call me old fashioned, they look like the designer was drunk.

[Squantos]

Brookfield Mount on E-Bay Bump ! Thanks Mile Hi !...Stay Safe !

[MileHi]

There is still one up,

Click

Current bid: $525

Time left: 22hrs 52mins

See ya