Equip the Military...

[CmdrSlander]

Here's a little hypothetical:

(Disclaimer: I know there's nothing wrong with most of the existing weapons in our arsenal, this is just an interesting topic of discussion.)

You're in charge of selecting new weapons for US ground forces, you must select a(n):

Individual Carbine

Assault Rifle

Designated Marksman Rifle

Sniper Rifle

Combat Pistol

You have a limited but large budget.

Here are my choices:

IC: Remington RGP upper on existing M4A1, Mk. 18, and M16 lowers, with Magpul Adaptable Carbine Stock.

AR: ACR 20"

DMR: MR308 with extended RAS and 24" threaded heavy barrel

SR: DTA Stealth Recon Scout in .338 or 7.62x51mm

CP: Sig Sauer P226 Combat

Discuss my choices and/or make your own.

 

[InkEd]

Your "individual carbine" and "assault rifle" seem to be pretty redundant categories. Unless The individual carbine is chambered in a true rifle cartridge. In which case it is a repeat of the DMR role. Either you have one rifle too many. Also, you forgot a squad level LMG of somekind. Just sayin.'

 

[CmdrSlander]

To Above

Whoops! Forgot about LMGs. Otherwise, the Military is currently procures carbines and ARs separately so...

 

[InkEd]

So you're issued an M-4 (or M-16) and.....

 

[Gunnerboy]

Assault Rifle- VZ58 with some sort of Red dot.

Designated Marksman Rifle-H&K G3 with Acog

Sniper Rifle-Acurracy Int L96 in 6.5x55 (yes i know its not an ordanary option)

Combat Pistol-Custom 1911 with exted mags

Light Machine gun- MG3 that would just be too much fun

 

[whtsmoke]

Where are you fighting, and what type of fighting. Too much stuff for jungle warfare. In my opinion from experience.

 

[Redlg155]

Either go back to the. 45 or modernize and go to the. 40 in a handgun round. Nato standardization sounds great for logistic purposes, but in reality, I seriously doubt we would ever have to bum ammo from someone else.

And throw in a good SMG while we are at it. A good Hk Mp5 size weapon would be great for officer/senior NCO or designated individual carry in urban situatiins. Current M4s can become overburdened with all the junk attached to the weapon.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I'm just going to throw in my thoughts on the combat pistol role, the rest is up for endless debate: 1911 .45 ACP, something along the lines of a Springfield TRP

 

[Bonesinium]

I wouldn't change anything. The only problem with the current arsenal is that due to both logistics and budget reasons, not everybody has all the updated equipment and weaponry.

 

[moxie]

You don't have to put all that junk on an M4/16. Plain Jane iron sights are fine in that context. A little discipline?

How about the SAW? Or something like it?

 

[Bubba613]

Geez.
Equipping a multi thousand man force isn't the same thing as going to your local gunshop and picking out something off the rack. There are things like spare parts, ammo accessibility, and training to consider.
The US has invested a huge amount of time and money in the M4 system. And it works pretty darn well.
On handguns they might as well go back to the .45, but something that actually works and won't cost a bunch. Smith M&P seems made for the job.

 

[R.W.Dale]

You don't have to put all that junk on an M4/16. Plain Jane iron sights are fine in that context. A little discipline?

How about the SAW? Or something like it?

What you propose would literally be like telling the air force they're going back to using the p-51 and b-24 as combat aircraft.

Hit percentage has gone through the roof since the army and marines got out of the 19th century and started widely distributing optical sights.

Irons are pure obsolescence. Get used to it.


Bout the only thing I'd change would be to ditch the m9 for a glock 17

posted via tapatalk using android.

 

[Nushif]

A good Hk Mp5 size weapon would be great for officer/senior NCO

Oh god yes!

 

[InkEd]

A good PDW for base troops and officers (like the aforementioned MP-5 Variants) would be sound investment.

Sig 550 for DMR
Piston AR variant for standard rifle (it's most logical replacement.)
XD-45 for pistol

 

[crazysccrmd]

Bout the only thing I'd change would be to ditch the m9 for a glock 17

As much as I like polymer pistols I'm not a fan of them in the military, or at least the combat arms where they take a beating. I've seen M9s banged around in ways that a Glock just wouldn't survive in my opinion.

The M4 is a pretty good all around standard issue rifle. I kept mine pretty simple, ACOG and PEQ15 all the time and at night a surefire and sometimes a PVS14 in front of the ACOG.

The new MK48m1's being fielded in Afghanistan are a great replacement for the SAW offering 7.62NATO power in a small package.

 

[Devonai]

105s and 155s on the back nine and a PRC-77/SINCGARS.

 

[happygeek]

Replace the M249 with the Mk 46 and replace the M240B with the Mk 48. The Army is replacing the M24 with the M110 and that seems like a good idea in my extremely un-expert opinion.

Replace the M4 with the M4A1, keep the M16A3 & A4, keep the M9A1, keep the M2 BMG.

Keep testing new body armor designs and find something lighter!

BTW, wasn't there a thread on here not too long ago about how it'd be so great if the military replaced the M9 with Glocks, but then some buzzkill mentioned how police departments saw a nasty spike in NDs after adopting Glocks (http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7541500&postcount=67)?

 

[mortablunt]

DISCLAIMER: I'm going to go on a bit of a fanboy author tract here.

Individual Carbine

I'm going to be thinking in terms of calibers and international agreements here, so I pick the Hi-Point carbine in 9mm.

Assault Rifle

Fanboy time! AK-101

Designated Marksman Rifle

FN-FAL

Sniper Rifle

I don't really know a whole lot about sniper rifles, they never really being my thing. I vote M1891 Mosin-Nagant.

Combat Pistol

Must this question be asked? M1911 with extended magazines.

__________
These are some arms which I think ought to be included:

Shotgun? M1014.
SMG? Uzi
LMG? M60E4
___________

It's interesting how I picked guns which are more in line with boring but practical.

 

[HDCamel]

1-3) FN SCAR H in various configurations
4) M24
5) Cz-75 variant
LMG) Something that isn't jam-tastic

 

[Sav .250]

To far fetched for me........... No real point!

 

[TenMillimaster]

Individual Carbine: The M4, of course.

Assault Rifle: M16A4. Without the derpy burst mechanism and back to the REAL burst mechanism (good trigger discipline)

Designated Marksman Rifle: A Mk 12 SPR, but built on a colt CM901 and chambered in 7.62. Mostly just to keep compatibility.

Sniper Rifle: Two will be issued as needs dictate. MSG90's in 7.62, and M24's in .300 win mag.

Combat Pistol: Glock 19's. Lightweight and reliable. Chambering in .45 won't make that much of a difference (A pistol is still a pistol) so sticking to 9mm is fine with my military.

SAW: Ultimax 100, issue with surefire doublestack magazines instead of drums.

LMG: MG3e.A robust design that can be manufactured cheaply.

 

[Murphy4570]

Logistics tells me to stick with what we have, as switching to a different calibre weapons system will require untold millions in the manufacture, procurement, and issuing of new ammunition, weapons, parts, and associated gear (slings, ammunition pouches, holsters, etc).

Such radical changes to the TO&E of an army during major combat operations is not a good idea.

 

[HDCamel]

Logistics tells me to stick with what we have, as switching to a different calibre weapons system will require untold millions in the manufacture, procurement, and issuing of new ammunition, weapons, parts, and associated gear (slings, ammunition pouches, holsters, etc).

Such radical changes to the TO&E of an army during major combat operations is not a good idea.

Not the point, dude. He's just asking "What would you like to see our guys running with regardless of practicality of implementation?"

Perhaps a better way to visualize is to imagine that you're a military dictator who has come into power over a very wealthy nation. What do you arm your military with?

 

[rcmodel]

Boy!

Are the supply & maintenance people gonna love you!!

But I see Murphy4570 beat me too it!

rc

 

[MtnCreek]

I’m just surprised it took 18 posts before we got to a mosin sniper rifle!

I think I would replace the m24 w/ b52's.