henschman
Member
This same thing was tried back in the 70s and 80s, using heavy barreled M-16s with bipods, and was found unsatisfactory by the US and Canada. The Germans gave it a try too with the MG-36, which didn't stay around long. The Brits tried the same idea with the L86A1, and found it less than satisfactory as an LMG -- they are mostly being used in the DMR role now. All those countries opted for belt-fed, open bolt, quick-change barrel designs for the squad support role.
But then again, the RPD was in use for a long time, and the various versions of the RPK are still in service. Back in WWII, the Bren, BAR, and Fallschirmjagergewehr 42 were well liked... but perhaps that was just because they compared so favorably with the standard infantry rifles of the times, before box-fed autoloaders were standard issue infantry arms.
I don't know, maybe this sort of automatic rifle has a place if they can figure out a reliable higher-capacity magazine... but I suspect it will go by the wayside like most of the sort have in the past. One thing is for sure... it is certainly no replacement for the SAW.
But then again, the RPD was in use for a long time, and the various versions of the RPK are still in service. Back in WWII, the Bren, BAR, and Fallschirmjagergewehr 42 were well liked... but perhaps that was just because they compared so favorably with the standard infantry rifles of the times, before box-fed autoloaders were standard issue infantry arms.
I don't know, maybe this sort of automatic rifle has a place if they can figure out a reliable higher-capacity magazine... but I suspect it will go by the wayside like most of the sort have in the past. One thing is for sure... it is certainly no replacement for the SAW.
