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

Modern Firearms and Ammunition website ^ | unknown | Unknown

[Who is John Galt?]

My Sako 75 in that caliber has the 8X Kahles fixed chunk of glass and it is a fine lower 48 "truck gun"............:o)

That package is a bit too expensive for me to call a "truck gun." Personally, I'm more comfortable with something that's cost me $200 or less (since I've had a couple of vehicles broken into - in another State ;>). Anything more than that & I worry too much about it disappearing. My No.4 Lee slips under that threshhold, even with the Choate folding stock.

Of course, some folks prefer top-of-the-line "truck guns:" a few years back, the original Winchester Model 70 (serial no. 1) was 'discovered' (with Unertl scope) riding in a gun rack in a pickup truck. Apparently it's worth something over $100,000...

(But I guess it made a passable "truck gun:" the owner said it shot straight... ;>)

[Who is John Galt?]

The weapons built to the original FN design were "metric" FALs in that the drawings they were made from were dimensioned in the metric system. They used standard metric threads and fasteners.

Here is a partial list of the "standard metric threads" used in the "metric" FAL:

Bbl to receiver: 1X16 tpi (except Israeli ;>)
Screw for mag release and BHO: #10X32
Pistol grip stud/nut: 1/4X28 tpi
Buttstock double threaded nut: female 1/4X28 tpi; male 9/16X24 tpi
Handguard screw: #10X32
Front sling swivel screw: #8X40
Rear sight windage screws: #8X40
Pivot bolt: 1/4X32 tpi
Front sight pin: #12X28
Gas tube/gas block: 17/32X36 tpi
Rear support cap: 9/16X24 tpi
Belgium Long flash suppressor screw: #8X40
Israeli FALO coupler and muzzle: 11/16X24 tpi

Again, these are for the "metric" FAL: "inch" pattern rifles may have different threads altogether (L1A1 front sight, for example). For all I know, these may indeed be standard "metric" - but I have been advised (by someone who has apparently seen the dimensioned drawings ;>) that some of these 'convert' to nonstandard "metric" threads, and are so marked on the drawings...

;>)

[tx65]

If you would like to see a ballistics chart comparing the 6.5 Grendel to the 5.56 NATO, 7.62 NATO and 6.8 Rem SPC, email me at akb@competitionshooting.com and I will email back a pdf file for your review.

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For all you fans of the new 6.8mmSPC cartridge, Ronnie Barrett has something you might like to give he and his company money for.

Oh, and it's available as a kit, too. ENJOY!

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And, of course, a pic of this new toy...

[VOA]

wow, that's a green machine!

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BUMP to post 804.

[Travis McGee]

If Eugene Stoner could only see how far his baby has gone!

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I bet he had no idea. In fact, I know he didn't...that's why he designed the AR-18 as an improvement on the 15.

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Got some new news on the XM-8 project. Some improvements have been asked for by the Army...

AIM HERE.

One of the interesting things on the list is a request for standby IRON sights. That's something I think we could all agree on.

[Travis McGee]

I swear, there must have been 100 companies at the SHOT show selling M-15 variants and accessories.

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I wish I could've gone to that. Is is open to us regular folk?

Sad for me, too, as I'm really not all that big a fan of the AR.

It's getting tough to find anything else, nowadays.

[archy]

I bet he had no idea. In fact, I know he didn't...that's why he designed the AR-18 as an improvement on the 15.

And the Stoner 63 as well, of course. You can get pretty close to that with the Robinson M96 Expeditionary Rifle, and the interchangable barrels and easily replacable feed block makes an adaptation of a more reliable magazine in one of the more effective cartrides an easy change from the 5,56mm standard.

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I've heard that the Stoner 63 really wasn't all it was cracked up to be. The Robinson, on the other hand, is supposedly excellent.

I'd have bought one by now, if the price was a little less.

Sigh. One income (E-6 pay) and a new baby have pretty much negated the weapons purchases for now.

[archy]

***I've heard that the Stoner 63 really wasn't all it was cracked up to be. The Robinson, on the other hand, is supposedly excellent.

I'd have bought one by now, if the price was a little less.***

The Navy SEALS used and liked their Mark 23 Mod 0 Stoners, but they're way beyond the average grunt both in terms of ability to keep one clean and their ability to scrounge parts, and in their uses and requirements.

But I'm betting that if the 6,8 cartridge goes anyplace, the M96 will really take off in popularity.

The butt isn't a particular good fit for me, but that can be fixed easily and cheap enough. Nice little weapon, and priced better than a M249 SAW.

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PING!

This thread has tracked the development of this rifle for over seven months. Many stories, photos, and info links can be found here. ENJOY!

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Updated information AT THIS THREAD, with a review at post #38 from Archy, who has actually fired the XM-8, to the envy of us all.

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And also courtesy of the ubiquitous Archy, a flyer from HK, with some pics...

Thanks, Arch!

[faithincowboys]

Hopefully, it's more like the AK-47 than the M-16.

[archy]

And also courtesy of the ubiquitous Archy, ... .

Thanks, Arch!

I am not either a British Army/pommie artilleryman!