The HK416 works better than the M4 because it is piston operated rather than gas impinging operated. It uses the same magazines as the M4, and the HK146 upper can be mated to an M4 lower, thus converting our existing weapons economically.
These rifles are already bought and paid for. The only reason to remove them from service is because the Army doesn't want the world to find out how superior a gas piston operated weapon is to the gas impinging operated M4/M16.
The Army is also in the process of purchasing even more M4s without any competition.
The USAs M4 Carbine Controversy
What is the story on the FN SCAR that SOCOM adopted?
Right on! Another stupid decision by the Brass. Listen to the soldiers, not the chair-polishers.
The Army wouldn’t let my son carry his own personal handgun when he went into Iraq, as a backup weapon. Now, he liked the M249 and used it effectively, but what happens if it jams? He might have had an M-16 around, but it is not the most reliable weapon either.
Oh, about that knife in his boot!
[PS: Heard the same complaints about military policies in Vietnam. Most guys on “point” used sawed off shotguns, often sent from home, because they were more effective for close-in fighting, esp. in an ambush.]
What is wrong with our military leaders here at home?