XM-8: New U.S. Service Rifle?

Modern Firearms and Ammunition website ^ | unknown | Unknown

[Long Cut]

Caliber: 5.56x45 mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: no data
Barrel length: no data
Weight: 2.67 kg empty
Rate of fire: no data
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (STANAG)

The development of the XM8 Lightweight Assault Rifle was initiated by US Army in the 2002, when contract was issued to the Alliant Techsystems Co of USA to study possibilities of development of kinetic energy part of the XM29 OICW weapon into separate lightweight assault rifle, which could, in the case of success, replace the aging M16A2 rifles and M4A1 carbines in US military service. According to the present plans, the XM8 should enter full production circa 2005, if not earlier, several years before the XM-29 OICW. The XM8 (M8 after its official adoption) should become a standard next generation US forces assault rifle. It will fire all standard 5.56mm NATO ammunition, and, to further decrease the load on the future infantrymen, a new type of 5.56mm ammunition is now being developed. This new ammunition will have composite cases, with brass bases and polymer walls, which will reduce weight of the complete ammunition, while maintaining compatibility with all 5.56mm NATO weapons. Along with 20% weight reduction in the XM8 (compared to the current issue M4A1 carbine), this will be a welcome move for any infantryman, already overloaded by protective, communications and other battle equipment.

The XM8 will be quite similar to the "KE" (kinetic energy) part of the XM-29 OICW system, being different mostly in having a telescoped plastic buttstock of adjustable length, and a detachable carrying handle with the Picatinny rail.

Technical description. The XM8 is a derivative of the Heckler-Koch G36 assault rifle, and thus it is almost similar to that rifle in design and functioning. The key differences are the NATO-standard magazine housing that will accept M16-type magazines, the set of Picatinny rails on the forend, telescoped buttstock of adjustable length and a different scope, mounted on the Picatinny rail, built into the detachable carrying handle.

[archy]

On another note, using a modern rifle with a bayonet beats using the same rifle as a club...

The technique still seems to have some proponents and adherents here and there, it seems. Interesting to note that it seems so useful around those who are all similarly equipped...it seems that even in their deteriorated society, when armed individuals entertain disputes, they tend to be more polite in dealing with each other than when one is unarmed and there's a clear disparity of force available.

-archy-/-

[archy]

If you need a full size battle rifle, you should have called arty 15 minutes ago. Our soldiers don't take territory; the consolidate our hold on it. If you're not doing it that way...you're doing it wrong.

Just so, though less than a tenth of our troops are actual combat arms soldiers; the rest are part of the support and logistics *tail* that keeps their operations moving. And those lesser lights need to be equipped at least as well and trained in at least the basics of combat operations, should such unplanned events come their way, as they did for Private Jessica Lynch and her comrades in arms and for any number of surprised REMFs some 60 years previously at a number of little Belgian towns that included ones named Bastogne...and Malmedy.

To do any less is to make them easy targets for rear-area raids and vertical envelopment or partisan/terrorist attacks. They may not fight like well-trained and experienced infantrymen, but if suddenly thrust into that role, they'll at least have a chance- if they have a usable tool for doing so. And on occasion, they might just surprise the hell out of the *other people.*

-archy-/-

[Woahhs]

You'll get no argument from me on any of your points. Nevertheless, I don't think that mean everyone in the army needs to carry a weapon capable of 1000 yard shots?

[Constitutional Patriot]

Springfield (sorry...)

It is my favorite to shoot with.

[blackie]

I stopped bench shooting in the 60's, I like to set up targets at various distances and shoot at them offhand, prone, sitting, etc, using handguns, rifles and shotguns.

I use a laser tool to sight in my scoped weapons.

[SLB]

Steve McQueen starred in the TV series, "Wanted, Dead or Alive".

His name was Josh Randall. This just shows my age.

[TEXASPROUD]

Do I have a Brookfield Scope Mount? Did I win the lottery? Those things are as rare as hen's teeth. I could use one on my M1A.

[snippy_about_it]

BUMP!

[Shooter 2.5]

I just read that Brookfield is out of business. For things like that, I would try to order out of the Shotgun News.

One poster mentioned the Third Generation Springfield Scope Mount.

[wardaddy]

SQ?

What's the weight difference on .243 vs .223?

Where's Travis?....this topic is his favorite.

Which caliber do I like?...hell, whatever is closest to my right hand.

I've murdered a lot of Bambis in central TX with a .243 Steyr/Mannlicher(and 2 other names I can't recall)....1970s model....very pretty.

[Squantos]

Heavier bullet weights...... I too like the 243 very much. Travis is attending to family business right now. He's out of pocket per se on travel. He should be back on net in a week or so. BTW........ you still have the MS in 243 and want to sell it ?;O)

Stay safe !!

[in the Arena]

Ebay Item Number 3620290113

Better hurry, there's only an hour left...up to 12:37 PM FReep time.

I've got the version built by Smith, I believe he still makes and sells them.

Jim

[Squantos]

On it !! Thanks !!...........Stay Safe !

[wardaddy]

Were I in the family safe right now, I could weigh the bullets. I'm guessing the .243 is 25-33% heavier than the .223.....any guesses? That would be a consideration to some no doubt. The ballistics are at least that much better. I like the .220 Swift myself in smallish 20s but it's much heavier.

The Mannlicher we have was my dad's. It's about a 73 model. Twisted steel barrel, cedar stock, very balanced. The mag is oddly plastic with a single opening on top and you can only find them now at a place in Bama. I bought 3 extras. It has a double trigger with hair set. Bolt of course. very light. Quite flat out to 200 or so. I shot a buck near Burnet/Lampassas TX in 79 with it at daybreak at around 200 while he was approaching a water tank. Went right thru his heart and he ran about 800 yards. The barrel says Steyr Mannlicher ?? Puch(I think, it reminded me of Trials bikes). We still have the old 3X9 Leupold from back then which was caddilac in those days....oh yeah...half stock.

You know the rule...never sell guns...only buy more..lol

[Squantos]

I got outbid three times..........:o( ....... have to go to work so I think my bid will get ambushed.........Sorry Crunch ! We tried !

Stay Safe !

[Squantos]

Don't mean to be rude but I'll get back this PM ....Widgets need dismantleing. Gotta git !

Stay Safe !

[wtc911]

Break Out by Martin Russ about the Chosin Resevoir in winter '50-'51 clearly chronicles the Marines' complaints about the M1 carbine lacking the power to kill the heavily clothed chinese. I wasn't there so I guess I'll take their word for it.

[archy]

You'll get no argument from me on any of your points. Nevertheless, I don't think that mean everyone in the army needs to carry a weapon capable of 1000 yard shots?

Absolutely. And those who are less that skilled enough to syuch levels of performance are better equipped with bullet hoses and carrying lighter weapons and more ammunition, or using underbarrel grenade launchers.

But so long as any of our potential adversaries may be equipped with a weapon capable of 1000-yard hits...or a usable beaten zone from a thousand meters' distance, we had better have an effective means of replying in kind available to at least one dedicated high-performance rifleman per squad or platoon, probably teamed with one of those grenadiers or light machinegunners.

And that's even more so in city and urban operational areas, where cover and concealment may offer shots at much closer ranges, but require very precice bullet placement at those urban distances during MOUT.

-archy-/-

[in the Arena]

Good luck, I was suprised to see that on e-bay, it's been a while...if you don't get the BPT check out the Smith.

[Shooter 2.5]

An account of M-1 Garands failing.


"Combat Actions In Korea" from the Army Historical Series. Chapter 1: Withdrawal Action.

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/korea/30-2/30-2_con.htm


During the period when the company was assembling and waiting in Pyongtaek, Sergeant Collins, the platoon sergeant who had joined the company the day before, decided to find out why his platoon had failed to fire effectively against the enemy. Of 31 members of his platoon, l2 complained that their rifles would not fire. Collins checked them and found the rifles were either broken, dirty, or had been assembled incorrectly. He sorted out the defective weapons and dropped them in a nearby well.