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

Modern Firearms and Ammunition website ^ | unknown | Unknown

[Woahhs]

How's this for a novel idea...chamber it for the 5.45x39 Russian. That would eliminate the close quarters effectiveness problem of the 5.56 without losing the range or weight advantages.

[Destructor]

"For a lot of work you're better off with the Garand, m 14, or even M1 carbine."

I agree with you on the first two, but I disagree with you on the M1 carbine. From what I've read about the Korean War the M1 carbine wasn't even powerful enough to punch through the heavy quilted lining of a Chinese field jacket!

[Destructor]

Funny thing. I don't see a bayonet lug on the rifle. This is supposed to be an Infantry service rifle?

[kallisti]

thanks all for the info. that was my guess, but i wasn't sure. btw, was the name from the place it was developed?

[RogueIsland]

The key differences are the NATO-standard magazine housing that will accept M16-type magazines

Good news for us civies.

[Long Cut]

"For a lot of work you're better off with the Garand, m 14, or even M1 carbine."

Fine weapons,all. However, I would like to own the same rifle our Soldiers use. I do not own an AR-15 variant because I disliked the design. Perhaps this will be better.

Actually, were price no object, I'd own them all. However, right now i'm low on cash-o-line so I'm holding out.

[Joe Brower]

[Long Cut]

"Funny thing. I don't see a bayonet lug on the rifle. This is supposed to be an Infantry service rifle?"

The picture is a computer-generated image of what it is expected to look like. Be assured, it'll change before it is actually issued.

[RLK]

From what I've read about the Korean War the M1 carbine wasn't even powerful enough to punch through the heavy quilted lining of a Chinese field jacket!

-------------------

I'm a combat shooter. I've tested firearms and ammunition. Within 100 yards a carbine slug will go through 10 inches of pine board and still kill. The problem with the carbine is people weren't trained on it.

[45Auto]

I, too, would like to see such a gun chambered in something a little heavier than the 5.56. The latter round is good for "varmints" and has served fairly well, but the full-tilt 7.62 x 51 (.308) really has solid knock-down power. The trouble is, the guns chambered for the .308 are much heavier and quite a bit larger than the M16-type AR series. The AR 10 and the SR 25 are fine AR-types, but they weigh in at 10 pounds (or more with optics). The problem with the AR clones and maybe even this new design is that the .308 family of cartridges (like the .243 and the .360) require a .473 inch bolt face. That in turn requires a larger bolt carrier, and a larger reciever, etc. The AR series will chamber and fire the 7.62 x 39 (30 Russian), but that round requires a smaller bolt face than the .308. Now, if one could build an AR-type rifle using the dimensions of the AR 10 and use new materials like maybe a ceramic barrel, then one could get the weight down to acceptable levels and then chamber it in something like the 7mm-.08. That would bridging the gap between so-called assault rifles and full-size battle rifles.

[RKV]

dont know off hand

[Long Cut]

Note the lug on the HK-36. Expect a similar one on the XM-8.

[jdege]

The M1 carbine was a true carbine - it fired the equivalent of a pistol round.

[SauronOfMordor]

It'll sunset unless it becomes an issue in the election, which it will if we have some crazed shooting massacre just before it.

And these crazed shooting massacres do happen at convenient times, don't they? Something I noticed back in 1990

[Long Cut]

THe HK-36, field-stripped...

[danneskjold]

...yeah, but does it have a compass in the stock and a thing that tells time?

[Long Cut]

And, the carbine or "commando" version...

All in all, it looks good. Even in 5.56mm, it will be a definite improvement on the going-on-40-year-old M16 series.

[Woahhs]

goodbye mp5!

[45Auto]

This a Knight's Industries AR 47; an AR-type that is chambered for the 30 Russian:

Note the use of AK 47 magazines

[Long Cut]

Which is why we ALL, as gun owners and enthusiasts, MUST let our feelings be known to our elected REPRESENTATIVES, as often and as loudly as possible.

We might also point out that elections in America are typically LOST by those who advocate the banning of personal arms.