Equip the Military...

[happygeek]

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?

<sarcasm>Enough ammo to shoot protesters Syria style but not enough to overthrow you Egypt or Libya style.</sarcasm>

 

[Neverwinter]

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

Phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range.

 

[TRX]

>Individual Carbine
>Assault Rifle

I'd go for the Valmet or one of its descendants (Galil or R4) to fill both roles. I'd do some serious testing of a 6.5/.223 or 6.8/.223 cartridge for it, to get better downrange oomph than the .223 while keeping the small form factor.

Variants with folding stocks or drum feed to work as PDWs, SMGs, or LMGs.


>Designated Marksman Rifle

I'll stay with the Kalashnikov pattern here, but step up to .308 and a scope. Militarized Valmet Hunter or Molot equivalent.


> Sniper Rifle

Heavy rifle in .50 BMG or .338 Lapua. Since I have no particular preference, I'd want to look at combat results and armory records before making a decision.


> Combat Pistol

I have some rather specific views of the role of a pistol in combat, and they don't involve being a bullet hose. Model 1911 in .45 Super or your choice of double action revolver in .44 Magnum.


Discerning readers may detect some AK and 1911 favoritism here...


> Phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range.

I wouldn't trust imported dilithium crystals. Besides, Expert Gun Writers all agree you need at least 55 watts to do the job.

 

[Hugo]

For the pistol an upgrade to 10mm might be easier to sell to NATO. "But it's just one more millimeter! It's still metric!"

But .40 would probably be best all around.

 

[Ranger30-06]

If I was in charge of equipping the military, the only major change I would do is focus on getting more of the M16A4's out in the field so that squads would be 50/50 with M4A1's and M16A4's (aside from squad machine gunners and designated marksman.)

That being said, I would rather focus on getting our boys more focused on marksmanship than spraying 1000 rounds a minute. The guns in use now are incredible weapons, but the kids in boot camp aren't being trained to aim the way our guys did with the earlier M16's, the M14, and the M1 Garand.

While evidence may show that in most gun battles, the team throwing the most lead usually wins, the other side of that argument is that 1 good hit beats 15 crappy hits any day of the week.