If we adopt the XM8, will there be any semiautomatic version?

[Mulliga]

I'm currently eagerly waiting for the end of the AWB so I can slap together a nice AR-15 carbine. But if the XM8 is adopted, I might as well hold out for a semiautomatic version of that rifle - especially if they go with a 6.8mm or 6.5mm cartridge.

HK USA will make a semiautomatic version of the XM8...right?

Not meant to be a dig on the M16 series...

 

[Kaxter]

I don't see the XM8 being brought to the Civvies.

I hope it is though, it really seems like an awesome rifle. The M16 guys will say there is no point to it, but the M14 guys say there is no point to the M16. And once the XM8 is replaced there will be a whole new crop of people saying that the XM8 didn't need to be replaced. Viscous cycle.

 

[MAKOwner]

I'd go ahead and put together the AR15 kit, but I'm hoping HK will market a civilian version of the XM8, one that actually looks like an XM8, not something like that 100% bastardized SL8-1 excuse for a G36...

 

[iamkris]

Assuming the XM8 is a politically done-deal

1) will take a while for the XM8 to completely flow through the ranks
2) HK is supremely uninterested in the civilian long gun/rifle market -- I think its really funny when people point to the HK USA plant and say "see they're going to be builing that rifle for me real soon"...yeah right...right after they fill that 1,000,000th DoD order.

 

[Master Blaster]

I dont see what the advantage is, over the AR-15 for a civilian shooter.

More expensive, parts harder or impossible to get ?

Will it be more accurate?

Well time will tell.

 

[clubsoda22]

HK really doesn't care much about it's non-government/LEO customers.

 

[willyjixx]

well thats why i wont buy an H&K anytime soon!

 

[George Hill]

"HK really doesn't care much about it's non-government/LEO customers."
Which is why HK made the USP, the SL-8 and the UMC.

HK isn't about just the MP5 and G36. They have a long history with sportsmen and civilian shooters. If you guys want a Civvy M-8... just get an SL-8.
Other than body cladding, they are the same vehicle.

 

[Master Blaster]

Here is a sight that gives a good review of the SL-8, and points out its advantages as well as deficiencies.

I have seen one of these at a couple of localgunstores and handled them, but they dont sell very well for obvious reasons, such as price, sights and magazine capacity.

http://www.remtek.com/arms/hk/civ/sl8/sl8.htm

 

[Mulliga]

the thumbhole stock doesn't do it for me.

 

[clubsoda22]

Which is why HK made the USP, the SL-8 and the UMC.

2 of the three guns you speak of were voluntarily discontinued after the washington "sniper" incident. Seems the people can't be trusted with such weapons.

 

[KaceCoyote]

I would've loved an SL8 at about half the price...in 7.62x39..or .308.

 

[Jack19]

I hope I'm wrong, but I believe that the AR-15 will be the last semi version of a millitary issue rifle/carbine that U.S. Citizens will be allowed to own.

 

[archy]

All it'll take will be a few magazine articles about how the *new M-8* is inaccurate and accordingly is shunned by the match shooters at Camp Perry, who still use the NM tuned versions of the M16A2. Why, the Army-taught Small Arms Firing School at Perry even uses the well-known M16A2 to introduce new shooters to the discipline- if the XM-8 was any good, they'd use the better rifle.

And note too the similarities between the XM-8 and the L85/L85A1/L85A2 which near-bankrupted the British Army trying to get the things to work, and for which the eventual overhaul contractor was H&K. Are they trying to sell the U.S. Army a similar lemon in hopes of getting another, bvigger *fixit* contract package?

Wait until 60 Minutes does for the XM8 what it did for the Twin 40mm Sergeant York DIVADS SPAA gun, and takes a few project officer careers with it....If that's how H&K wants to play it. If American shooters are willing to make *S&W Must Die* the political slogan and watchword for a company that forgot who pays the bills for their toys, we can surely do an even better job on a foreign company from the land of barbed wire camps, gas chambers and ovens.

 

[George Hill]

Wait a second...
The Sgt York was a weapon system that didn't work. The M-8 is just a camoflaged G36... and the G36 works very well.

 

[zahc]

wait...there's something wrong with the m4/16?

I must be really out of it. I had no idea they were considering switching rifles.

 

[Badger Arms]

The Sgt York was and still would be an outstanding replacement for the Avenger and other anti-aircraft guns. It also made an outstanding urban warfare device... it could blow the crap out of anything in short order. It got cancelled because they kept asking it do do different things.

Back to the XM8, I agree with George, it's a retooled G36 and the G36 works very well when fielded, thank you very much. I don't think there are significant bugs and none on the order of any the M16 still had 10 years after its introduction.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

Show me where it does a better job than an AR similarly equipped, though.

 

[MrAcheson]

The major benefit of an air defense gun is economy. The Sgt York was many things, but cheap was not one of them.

As for the XM-8, well it has a cleaner more reliable gas system than the M-16. Its polymer so its lighter and has some other things the soldiers say they want. Its basically just a retooled G36 when all is said and done though.

 

[pale horse]

I would keep the ar 15.

I went with option A because which ever rifle our guys have they are going to make due with. Pay them more money so they will work harder and provide GOOD equipment so they wont spend their entire small pay check on GOOD equipment.

Who cares about a new weapon our guys are using AKs in the sand box if they dont have something. I have heard reports of guys picking up aks because motor T gets pistols not rifles.

I think our Marines, sailors, and army guys should be trained on 5 different rilfes. Those being the most prolific weapons of our enemies including our own. Give them knowledge to fight with.

 

[artherd]

I think our Marines, sailors, and army guys should be trained on 5 different rilfes. Those being the most prolific weapons of our enemies including our own. Give them knowledge to fight with.

Hear hear!

 

[Selfdfenz]

If there is never a civie version, then the AR will be the military match rifle of the future as it is now.

I never thought the AR was a hansom rifle, but these things are truely unpleasant to behold.

If there is a civie version someday, if it's not easy to accurize or when accurized is less accurate that the AR platform, it will be viewed as a turkey by civilian marksmen. If it can't beat an AR it never makes it Camp Perry.

Given all the to and fro regarding the killing power (?) of the 223 and the robustness (?) of the AR (never died down completely), this rifle better do well in combat or it will have a short service life in deed. New HK factories not withstanding.

IMHO
S-

 

[Destructo6]

They look pretty nice in black:

Since HK was sold about a year ago, it seems they have a much greater interest in the non-military/LEO market.

HK discontinued the SL8 & USC for the same reasons they discontinued the SL6/SL7/630/770 in the 1980s: poor sales.

 

[tango3065]

I like the m16, I'm not big on plastic guns. I do think that the military needs more firepower that the 223. If they would take the m16 chamber it for something like a 270, or 308, and put a better gas system on it they would have a fine weapon.

 

[Lumpy196]

hmmmmmmmmmmmm......standby