Marines choose M-16A4 as infantry rifle

Stars and Stripes ^ | Thursday, October 24, 2002 | Mark Oliva

[SlickWillard]

The Marine Corps chose a new infantry rifle, and it’s not the short assault rifle with which the Army equipped soldiers in the Afghan campaigns.

Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va., announced last week it would buy 65,463 of the M-16A4 service rifles for infantry Marines between now and 2007.

The new rifle resembles the M-16A2 service rifle in use now but allows for add-on parts as emerging technology warrants.

After head-to-head comparison tests, the Marines rejected the M-4, the shorter rifle the Army issued to soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.

“The ground board chose the M-16A4 over the M-4 because it had a lesser frequency of malfunctions,” said Marine Corps officials from Headquarters Marine Corps in a prepared statement. “The initial units will be fielded to Ground Combat Elements.”

The M-4 received sharp criticism from soldiers who fought the Taliban in Afghanistan earlier this year in Operation Anaconda and Mountain Lion. Some soldiers complained bullets used in the rifle lacked stopping power, according to a survey Army officials conducted. They also noted that heat shields in the hand guards often rattled, prompting soldiers to remove them, only to burn their hands from overheating hand guards.

Marine support units will continue to use the M-16A2 rifles.

The old rifles were nearing the end of their life cycles and needed replacement, according to the Marine Corps statement. But Corps officials also wanted to be able to integrate attachments Marines could need for different missions, such as flashlights, laser sights and a rail system for interchangeable sights and scopes.

In a head-to-head performance comparison between the M-16A4 and the M-4, a shorter carbine version with a collapsible stock, Marine officials found few similarities.

“Both weapons have flat-top receivers with the 1913 Military Standard rails for mounting optics, as well as forward rail hand guards,” said Marine Capt. John Douglas, project officer for Marine Corps Systems Command.

The new rifle can handle standard rifle sights plus night vision options and scopes. The rifle also can be fitted with a vertical forward handgrip.

But that’s where comparisons end. The M-4 is 10 inches shorter and one pound lighter than the current M-16A2.

Marine officials found some deficiencies in the M-4. In tests and surveys conducted last July at Camp Lejeune, N.C., most Marines preferred the M-4 over the longer M-16A4 for most combat situations, but the M-4 had more malfunctions, they said. The comparisons were based on Infantry Training Standards and reviewed by Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity.

“Though the number was very low for each weapon, the M-4 was found to have three times the number of weapons malfunctions as the M-16A4,” the statement read. There was no significant difference in accuracy between the two rifles.

Several Marine units already use the M-4, including Force Reconnaissance platoons, Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security teams and Military Police Special Response teams. Those units will continue to use the M-4, and the Marines still may purchase more in the future after corrections are made to reduce malfunctions, said the Marine Corps statement.

[ninenot]

If I'm not mistaken, that's the spec on the .223 (military) round fired by the M-16 and the civilian version AR-15. Speeds may vary slightly depending on barrel length. The rifle-length (20") was around 3100 to 3200 FPS. The carbine (16") fires around 2800 FPS.

The discussion began because I identified the .223 as a round "good enough for the DC sniper" after someone else professed a love for the .30-class bullet (.308, 30-06, 7.62x59) used earlier by the USA and still NATO standard. My observation was to the effect that the .223 seems to kill quite well, properly aimed.

[dd5339]

I was curious as to the 140 grain bullet.

The 223 doesn't fire a 140 grain bullet. The 6.5 mm will get you up to a 140 grain bullet.

Semper Fi

[ninenot]

Ooooops!

Don't have a wall chart, nor do I have an AR15. (I have a .30-06 for heavygoing battle, and use 180 grain.) How many grains IS a mil-standard .223?

[dd5339]

"How many grains IS a mil-standard .223?"

I think current mil spec is for a 62 grain bullet. You can go up to an 82 grain slug with BlackHills ammo I think.

Semper Fi

[JavaTheHutt]

I love the AR180. I use to have one of the originals and would like to replace it with one of the AR180Bs!

[Sabot70]

From the Colt web page (http://www.colt.com/mil/M16_2.asp):

AVAILABLE MODELS
RO901 : Flat top, Safe/Semi/Full Auto
RO905 : Flat top, Safe/Semi/Burst
RO701 : Fixed handle, Safe/Semi/Full Auto
RO705 : Fixed handle, Safe/Semi/Burst

[alaskanfan]

Love them Colts.

God made man, Sam Colt made him equal.

[Lancey Howard]

When is it available for sale to the militia?

I believe on September 15th.

[Travis McGee]

Those sure look like Homeland Defense rifles. When is it available for sale to the militia?

The above is the winner of my self-proclaimed best RKBA design search. Stickers and shirts will shortly be available with that design at LifeLibertyEtc.com. I'm not making a penny from it, don't get me wrong. I just wanted to (attempt to) come up with a great universal 2nd amd oriented design that would look great, and let the sheeple in the Volvo behind you know where we stand.

[Lancey Howard]

Make that "September 13th".

[Travis McGee]

Good summary. You laid it for those who want to learn.

[Travis McGee]

Tell that to the 5th SFG, who are going to the 6.8mm uppers.

[wardaddy]

, and let the sheeple in the Volvo behind you know where we stand.

Yeah baby! Friends don't let friends be pu$$ies...lol

[Travis McGee]

I still have in mind to go down to the beach where all the tattoo parlors are, find the best artist (based on what adorns his walls) and commission a new coiled snake/rifle rendering. Something more intricate and "meaner" than the one on my book cover.

[IGOTMINE]

The M1014 shotgun (POS) and what other weapon?

At least the Marine Corps has never saddled the nation with an $8,000,000,000 R&D program that never went anywhere ;)

[wardaddy]

Damn I had not thought of that....and oddly....I must confess my left shoulder bicep is patched with a huge Celtic Cross (a hate symbol according to Abe Foxman..lol), a Bonnie Blue, a comely Gaelic lass and the ubiquitous skull and roses . I still have some room in the back to finish off but that sort of thing lost it's priority for me a while back.

Sort of a badge and a warning sign ID once si tu comprendes.

[Travis McGee]

I realize I wasn't clear. I didn't mean to render the art on my skin, but on a piece of paper, for scanning into the computer world, for future stickers, t-shirts, books etc. I respect the ability of many tattoo artists to do great work for reasonable rates.

[wardaddy]

I understood you.

I think it's great idea and it gave me some food for thought I had not had for some time.

[Squantos]

My back window has this Calvin Decal ,.....that says Usama Bin Laden instead of the version shown with terrorist on it..... the Texas Terrorist Hunting Permit and a University of Bombs and Bullets decal from Indianhead University !

I'll add yours and see if I get a nibble as the bait I'm using doesn't seem to be working at all.......:o)

Stay safe !

[Travis McGee]

Don't forget

KEEP HONKING, I'M RELOADING

and

DRIVER CARRIES ONLY $25 IN AMMUNITION