I really think that more "gun people" visit here than any "gun-specific" site. I think this thread got to 200 posts in its first day up, and it's still going strong months later.
I've never seen a thread on any gun site get near this, and this is far from the only one.
I read the SGN article on the Grendel round conversion. It would, in fact, make a nice compromise between the 5.56mm NATO round and the 7.62mm NATO, but then, so would many of the other rounds described elsewhere in the thread.
It seems, however, that unfortunately for us bulletheads, the DOD will stick with the 5.56mm, for at least another generation. This is probably due to 1. The millions of magazines and weapons already in the supply system which use it; and 2. The billions of rounds already out there.
My own view is that we need both a new cartrige AND a new rifle, preferably a "rifleman's rifle" (accurate, reliable, robust, and simple) for the 21st century. However, if we try to find a "perfect" cartridge and weapon combination, we might well spend the next 20 years dickering over it, while our military soldiers on with the M16 series. We're in a war, and they need the stuff NOW, not in 20. We can live with the 5.56mm for the time being, and with a new rifle, we can switch calibers later, at our leisure.
And, hopefully, we'll be able to buy one ourselves.
The ArmaLite® Post-PostBan ™ Rifle Program Fact: Unless reauthorized or replaced with a worse program, the Assault Weapon Act of 1994 will expire in September, 2004.
Possible outcomes are:
“Reauthorization,” i.e. no change in the law.
Replacement with a worse law, even to the possibility that production is halted.
Expiration of the law.
Expiration for only a short time, and then be reauthorization or worse.
The AW Ban is a cosmetic law, and we’d all like to own rifles without the blemishes that it established. If the law expires, there’s plenty of time to wait for a new rifle with “pre-ban” characteristics. If any of the other three outcomes occur, a delay could be a real mistake. The purpose of the PPB program is to prepare purchasers for any outcome.
The program offers customers a way to avoid the risk of delay, yet also have the benefits of a change in law. The opportunity is provided by the design of ArmaLite’s® 2003 rifles.
1. Beginning immediately, ArmaLite® 2003 rifles (with a pinned muzzle brake, or none installed) ship with a certificate that will provide customers a pin-on flash suppressor and installation instructions at no charge. Unless earlier legislation makes it illegal for customers to install the device, flash suppressors will ship in summer 2004 to allow time to get the rifle modified even if there’s an opportunity of only a few days.
Until the law changes, the flash suppressor will provide a reminder to every customer that it is essential to get out the vote in 2004.
2. For customers who wish to go an extra step and install a bayonet lug, ArmaLite® will continue to sell pin-on sight bases with bayonet lugs, and will provide installation instructions for gunsmiths. All ArmaLite® clamping front sight bases are easily removable, with no pin-holes in the barrel, so pin-on bases can be easily installed.
3. For customers who wish to be able to convert their rifle to a “Pre-Ban” configuration immediately upon expiration, ArmaLite® will produce and sell AR-10™ collapsing buttstocks (the AR-10™ requires a special collapsing buttstock). It is likely that prompt installation of such a buttstock will allow customers to make other changes at a more leisurely pace.
Installation of options 2 and 3 both are already available for law enforcement customers (with proper rifle markings). Civil customers must await a change in the law, and flash suppressors, bayonet lugs, and collapsing stocks will all be accompanied by clear information about the law to prevent a violation.
4. Pre-2003 rifles with pinned front sight bases or threaded-pinned-welded brakes, or customers who wish threaded brakes on 2003 models instead of pinned ones, require gunsmith or factory replacement of those parts. ArmaLite® offers the components for sale, and will perform conversions at normal shop charges.
Mark A. Westrom
President
I am starting to feel better and better about doing business with this company. Their website is www.armalite.com if anyone is interested in giving them some support. They have a forum there as well, and they also make a LOT of the weapons currently in use in the war by our Troops.
Companies like this, IMHO, deserve our support and patronage.