I think for the most part the XM-8 in unneccessary. But I believe it'll work well and it'll lack the change-over problems the M-16 had. The XM-8 seems like it'll run better out of the box than the M-16 did at least.
It's still a neat weapon.
X-Mmmmmm...looks good!
Great Post! I've often wondered about the next-gen infantry gear. Thanks.
Please everybody be sure to look at the video that's at the Fox site...it's truly "Mahvellous", showing heavy machine gun versions of this weapons system.
Kudos to the Fox reporter who does his report from the range and is shown shooting the shoulder rifle version. Wooo Hooo! We wouldn't likely see Lesley Stahl or Connie Chung doing that now would we? :-)
Although this weapon gets my blood pressure up, I fear that the current "assault weapons" ban, if extended, will prevent any private citizens from getting one.
Here's another tangible reason for doing whatever you can to insure it's defeat when it expires.
What cartridge is it going to fire. From the video it appears to be one that is more "robust" than the 5.56. It has more apparent recoil in the video than the 5.56.
HK's answer to the M16. Explains why they built that humongous plant in Smyrna, GA.
Stream line the shape.
There is a bulky issue here. Light weight don't mean squat if the weapon has an bad feel.
And the DoD press folks have not talked about the folks who HAVE complained about that.
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BTW, the H&K XM-8 uses a Kalashnikov-style gas system, instead of the horrible direct gas impingment system used in the M-16. For that alone I would love to actually see this weapon system adopted. But I will believe it when I see it.
This is another item of interest (c/p above into url box)
Another contender from US manufacturers.
Also, the XM is an HK product, very nice looking though.
I would rather have the Beowulf or the Grendel.
http://www.alexanderarms.com/
http://www.impactguns.com/store/AL-R-BEOOM.html
http://www.competitionshootingsports.com/catalogue/category33/product45
http://www.competitionshootingsports.com/catalogue/category367/product600
But did sKerry actually vote for it before he voted against it?
