[Ex-Dem]

Let the debating begin...

[Pilsner]

The M-16 combines the size of a full size battle rifle with the knock down power power of a submachine gun and a range that splits the difference. That means its combines the worst features of battle rifles and submachine guns.

If the Army is going to make infantry drag around a full size rifle it might as well give them a cartridge of at least .308.

If the Army is going to send everybody who rides around in vehicles into battle with weapon with modest range and knock down power, they might as well make it short and handy and shoot .45 or 9mm. I saw a photo from this year of a Special Forces vehicle manned by soldiers armed with Sterlings. These are basically upgraded Stens, in 9mm, issued by the Brits in the 1950s to eveybody who didn't get a full size rifle.

What ever new weapons that are adopted need to be at least as rugged the AK-47.

[crz]

Ruger makes the Mini 30 which I understand uses the same round as the AKs. It also uses the garand action which is the best ever.

[StoneColdTaxHater]

Hate the Soviets but you gotta hand it to 'em the AK is one hell of a weapon.

[Southack]

I'd like to see all "obsolete" military M-16's sold at or below cost (hey, they're used) to U.S. civilians, rather than de-milled.

I'll take 2.

[xm177e2]

Consequently, the M-4 is an unlikely candidate for the rearming of the U.S. Army. It is now viewed as an interim solution until the introduction of a more advanced design known as the Objective Individual Combat Weapon, or OICW.

?

The OICW is a G36K with a massive, semi-automatic grenade launcher on top.

It is not the kind of weapon that will replace standard assault rifles any time soon.

[Joee]

I think there will be few wet eyes in the house with the demise of the M16. During my military career, I carried the 03, the M1, the M14 and the M16. Never did trust the M16 and in Nam, I pulled a "midnight survey," upgrading my personal protection to the M14. At least I felt like I could "reach out and touch someone."

[spodefly]

Bump for reading when I am not fat and sleepy ...

[SBprone]

If length is the main issue then a bullpup design is the answer. There are already a couple in service, the Sterling with the Brits and the AUG with a few other countries. Before designing a new bullpup we should procure a few thousand of the existing designs and put them to use. It would make sense to try out the bullpups first before actually commiting to change over completely to a new weapons system.

I don't know if the Sterling uses M16 mags but a bullpup that has magazine compatiblity with the M16 that would make it easier to retain the M16 for non-mechanized troops. The M16A2 is still the best in the business for aimed slow fire.

[rdb3]

Sorry to hear this. My last qualification at Bragg was 38 for 40 with the M-16 (even though I was assigned the M-203).

Don't laugh. It wasn't everyday that a Signal soldier was made to feel, ummm, powerful.

[fella]

A militerized mini-14 in a bull-pup configeration might be a solution. Same ammo, rugged, reliable and less expensive.

[neverdem]

Thanks for posting this article. BANG

[neverdem]

BANG

[Iron-sight Sniper]

Why don't we re-chamber the M-16, M-4, and M-249 (SAW) for 7.62, to give it a LOT more knock-down power; make them a little more durable, since we're trying to win a war, not a beauty pagent; give the M-16 full auto fire, to make it better for CQB; and make a sub-machine gun version in .45, also good for CQB.

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[Momaw Nadon]

[F14 Pilot]

U might like this~!

[humblegunner]

This is great!

You're in procurement, order us up a few dozen of the used ones.
We need to do our part to keep our Military up to date and get these
obsolete weapons out of circulation as quick as we can. I'll FReepmail you my FEDEX account number.

[Soviet]

America should adapt Kalashnikov rifles to their army, that would solve all their jamming problems.