How stupid is this? The HK416 is demonstrably a better carbine and it is completely familiar to anyone who has used an M4. It’s just an improved M4. It’s not like they have some wierd, nonstandard rifle, it just doesn’t have the stupid direct gas tube problems. I can’t see any possible reason they can “require” the M4 after they have bought better weapons. Stupid, stupid, stupid. They should be replacing all the M4 uppers instead.
If that's correct, the decision to take away this weapon is even more bizarre. It does need much less attention than the M4'
Also what is the timetable for the introduction of the new 6.8 MM Remington round, designed to improve the M16's longrange lethality. Does anyone know? If I interpret correctly, present rifles can be re-chambered for it without much problem. Anyone know?
What’s funny is Eugene Stoner, the designer of the M-16 (grandfather of the M4), later developed the Armalite 180, which incorporated the gas piston design, and a folding stock.Reliable as all heck, but the M-16 was in motion and committed to already, so it was brushed aside. Contracts are all about politics and money.