Posted on 04/27/2015 1:14:39 PM PDT by DJ Taylor
The Army is asking the gun industry to build new components for its soldiers' primary weapon — the M4 carbine — a move that experts say is a tacit admission that the service has been supplying a flawed rifle that lacks the precision of commercially available guns.
At a recent Capitol Hill hearing, an Army general acknowledged that the M4's magazine has been responsible for the gun jamming during firefights.
On the federal government's FedBizOpps.gov website, the Army announced a "market survey" for gunmakers to produce a set of enhancements to essentially create a new model — the "M4A1+." It would include a modular trigger, a new type of rail fitted around a "free floating" barrel and other parts. The upgrade is supposed to improve the rifle's accuracy and reliability.
The Army last year took the significant step of beginning to convert the basic M4 into the special operations version, the M4A1, with a heavier barrel designed to better withstand the heat of rapid fire.
The Washington Times reported in 2014 on confidential prewar tests that showed the barrel was prone to overheating. The Times also quoted active-duty soldiers who said the M4 is inferior based on their experience in battle. A Green Beret said he takes the extraordinary step of rebuilding his M4A1 on the battlefield by using components from other gunmakers — technically a violation of Army regulations.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. Robert Scales, an artillery officer and decorated Vietnam combatant, is one of the M4's most vocal critics. He also believes the 5.56 mm M855A1 ammunition — an environmentally sensitive, or "green," round — is wrong for the gun.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
I carried full length variations of the M16 for over 20 years.
Found with basic maintenance they would eat live or blank rounds with equal gusto.
Most feeding problems with blanks was one might not be all the way back in the magizine and would slam and hang up before hitting the ramp into the chamber.
The next would be someone hanging onto the magazine and pulling back while firing. That could cause a jam with either blanks of live rounds.
Powder and charge do make a difference in bullet performance. Firing the same round from the longer barrel M16 and the shorter barrel M4 will develop 2 different muzzle velocities.
I suspect that the piston alone would weigh more than 3 ounces, but that’s okay. After all, Eugene Stoner did adopt the piston design in his later AR designs (which were in turn copied in rifles such as the Daewoo). In truth, the G36 is just a modernized AR-18/180.
--another manifestation of the idiocy with which we are afflicted--I'm surprised that no Democrat member of Congress has suggested that projectiles be made of recycled paper---
If you don’t drop the magazine and bend the edges.
The Germans need to bring back the G3/HK-91.
Since returning to the US I have over the years bought and sold AR-15 semi-autos. Not my favorite gun, but easier to carry than an M-14.
I do not like the light-weight carbine barrel, although my daughter prefers it. I'm willing to carry the heavier barrel, that doesn't heat up so quickly.
My brother, a Marine officer, carried an M-16 throughout his tour in Vietnam. His response to the complaints was that you had to keep the gun clean. If you did, it worked fine.
So instead of buying magazines that work from another vendor they're going to redesign the rifle? Seriously?
Dump that crappy green tip round and issue BTHP in 62 grain. Or say to hell with The Hague Convention and issue soft point spitzer rounds. Either of those stop bad guys good.
L
“A Green Beret said he takes the extraordinary step of rebuilding his M4A1 on the battlefield by using components from other gunmakers — technically a violation of Army regulations.”
Absolutely extraordinary, I can’t believe one of our countries elite soldiers would ever sink to that level.
Bonus: Legacy 5.56 NATO caliber M16 and M4 rifles are easily updated. Ditto for M249 SAW and Mk 46 Mod 0 and 1 LMG. Parts required are: 1) 6.8 SPC barrel assembly (with gas piston drive), 2) gas drive bolt carrier and bolt in 6.8 SPC, 3) 6.8 SPC steel or polymer magazines in 6.8 SPC, and 4) modify 5.56 NATO M27 links to take 6.8 SPC cases.
“Dump that crappy green tip round and issue BTHP in 62 grain. Or say to hell with The Hague Convention and issue soft point spitzer rounds. Either of those stop bad guys good.”
I thought hollowpoints were banned? As in BoatTailHollowPoint?
They are not banned. U.S. snipers and designated marksmen are issued BTHP rounds.
That is an interesting- looking product.
That article was in G&A. I read it and for the first time thought that the M9 might actually be a good pistol after all.
I cancelled my subscription after Metcalf’s remarks.
I am thinking of going back now that he has been gone for a long time.
I had stopped for some time. Signed up about six months ago because they about gave it to me. Swamped with “related” mail offers/ads since I did.
I somehow got on some program which is constantly giving me free subscriptions to magazines. The first time, I was very dubious but there does not appear to be any hook.
Now I get so many that I have quit ordering them and actually am getting tired of throwing them away. I got one today “Maxim” which I simply don’t like and am going to request they cancel my subscription.
Unfortunately there have been no gun magazines but I am getting several “Outdoor Life” and similar ones. Also several of the Popular mags such as Pop Science, Pop Mechanics etc.
Relia-Bolt. I’m waiting for another sale, and saving up my pennies.
ping
So boys and girls, don't ever try to improve something because you'll be admitting it's flawed. Just dig in and claim it's perfect.
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