What would you like to see as the standard issue weapon for our services?

[Silvanus]

I've only got any personal experience with AUGs, Sigs and AR-15s. I prefer the SIG. I've never seen one malfunction (have seen that with ARs though) and they are extremely accurate for a standard military rifle. I can't really say more about it, it just felt perfect for me. But they are expensive...

 

[rr2241tx]

Incremental changes to the current platform are all we'll be able to do for the troops until someone gets a functional nuclear-fueled raygun with an untrackable beam worked out for cheaper than replacement parts and cartridges for the current model. I don't think anyone really believes McNamara got it right, but we've had 45 years to file on the rough spots and the basic infantry rifle is in pretty good shape now. It is a mystery to me why they keep spending money on trying to make the M-16 into a pistol, but what do I know? I just pay for the new stuff.

 

[Scorpiusdeus]

The only thing I think needs to change is the caliber. I'd like to see us go to .308 in an M4 or G36 type weapon.

 

[General Geoff]

It needs to be said

Phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range.

 

[byf43]

M16 series has done the job for many years.
I would not be opposed to seeing it in continued use, either 'as is' (caliber wise) or in a larger caliber. (6.8 mm or so, or even in the 7.62 x 51 mm variety.)

Same design is what I'm tryin' to say.


IF the M16 continues in the 5.56 x 45 mm round, keep the M14 in the DMR role.

 

[possum]

he g36 would be awesome, t wo't happen but that would be great i forsee that we keep the m16 series for a long time. even the h&k 416 would be great.

 

[simpleguy]

Ok, so I voted for the M14, now I am backpedaling a bit.....I would like to see the M4/M16 in a bit "fatter" caliber.......say AR10 like........ .308? Maybe 6.8SPC? Something with a little more behind it, so it can "reach out and touch someone" if you know what I mean.

 

[Roswell 1847]

If they'd design a proper gas piston driven operating systen that could be retrofitted to the M-16 receiver and adopt a cartridge which can produce and deliver sufficient lethal energies (hopefully at a lower operating chamber pressure)from the abreviated M4 barrel the rest of the gun is just fine.
As it is short barreled 5.56 rifles are teetering on the edge of insufficient operating impulse and sub standard balistics.

 

[Anteater1717]

Some form of an M16 with a 6.8special upper would be perfect.

 

[Evil Monkey]

What I want to see is a telescopic cased 5.56mm round so that you can build an assault rifle as small as a MAC10 by having it grip fed. It would probably make for the worlds handiest and versatile all purpose rifle.

 

[bpsig]

I would have to go with the massada rifle in 6.5 grendal . Either way would be better than the m16 since can change with the mission .

 

[Ready2Defend]

I voted the M14 for the 308 round. I believe something in a heavier caliber is what is needed for a serious battle rifle. The question is what are we intending to arm our troops with: a battle rifle or a carbine? I suppose a mixture in any given fighting group is expected. I would rather see most with a battle rifle and a minority with a carbine.

 

[GotGlock]

I vote for the 550 series, ak reliability with AR accuracy. The ability to shoot 5000 rounds before having to adjust the gas system to keep firing is a nice feature.

 

[Geronimo45]

Switching to something else in the same caliber that would be exceptionally pointless.

Then how come SOCOM's hunting for a new 5.56 rifle?
I know they tested the SCAR and ordered a few - don't know if the SCAR is the end choice or if further testing is in the horizon.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Then how come SOCOM's hunting for a new 5.56 rifle?
I know they tested the SCAR and ordered a few - don't know if the SCAR is the end choice or if further testing is in the horizon.

FN's SCAR submission won the contract and is in the process of fielding for SOCOM units. JSOC and some SOCOM units are currently using HK 416s -- JSOC will, presumably, keep using them instead of the SCAR, other SOF units should be switching to SCAR as they're fielded.

But there are various reasons why SOF units are opting for the SCAR or HK 416. SCAR does incorporate some improvements in ergonomics that are intended to be better than the M4A1. Both also are intended to perform better under special operations mission parameters, meaning they'll run better in very short carbine lengths and with suppressors on them.

Both also free SOCOM from maintenance schedules and other big picture inventory management decisions that are currently being made by the Big Army with the M4A1. Some of the M4's much trumpeted faults that duh intraweb and Army Times (not sure which sets lower journalistic standards . . .), such as the action on Robert's Ridge during Anaconda, would not have occurred if SOCOM had been able to pace depot refurbs and other major maintenance events to SOF-specific training demands. Both SCAR and the 416 allow for that, as they don't belong to Big Army.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

We should just keep what we have right now, they are doing a great job.

 

[Oohrah]

Need to go back to the 30 Caliber or a round with enough bullet
energy to get her done at least to 500 yards if it is needed. Go
back to a gas piston type system. M-14 works just fine until some-
thing better happens!

 

[amprecon]

LWRC

Piston driven AR style in 6.8spc........what a pipe dream

 

[RedLion]

Why do people insist on getting a more powerful cartridge that can add more range?

The vast majority of combat takes place at LESS THAN 100 YARDS!! why would you want to take shots at someone 500 yrds away? Can you even see someone at that range? Can you see them in camo hiding behind cover? Not to mention the people we are fighting today and for quite some time in the future will dress as civilians and act as civilians until they get close enough to detonate a bomb. It would severely hinder the U.S. politically to pop people at 500 yards because " he looked like he had an AK".

Keep your He-Man rifles at home and leave the fighting to the guns that work. The Nazis invented the Jet, coordinated infantry-armor-machinegun tactics, The ballistic missile, And the assault rifle. Where they that misguided in inventing the assault rifle?

The soviets were the most formidable enemy armed force on this planet ( just because we beat them economically doesn't mean they would have seriously messed us up). They invented the infantry fighting vehicle, and Developed the T-34 the first tank with sloped tank armor. I doubt they were misguided as well when they picked the Ak-47 and later AK-74.

battle rifles only work in very limited circumstances in modern combat. I don't think the vast majority of military organizations with assault rifles are missing something.

 

[Frog48]

I like the M16/M4 just fine. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

 

[Javelin]

I would hope the military would go with a RRA AR-10. That has been my vote for years. It always takes more than one shot to take down an enemy. And he is always "wounded" even after the shoot. So it does not take out 2+ of "their men" out of the fight (like it was designed) but it takes 2+ of our medics and the men to provide localized security to try and stabilize him on the objective.

Lets put the 7.62 (.308) in the M16 style firearm. Would definitely be a benefit for the armed service members that do the shooting.

 

[rockinrussky]

SCAR in 6.8 spc. I didn't see that listed but thats what I'd go for. I think others have already mentioned all the good reasons for it already. Either way, when or if it gets released to the civilian market I'm getting one.

 

[elmerfudd]

I'm really impressed with the XCR. I think it would make an excellent service rifle, particularly if it were chambered in 6.8mm.

 

[scrat]

Anything from BARRETT

then nobody would mess with us.

http://www.barrettrifles.com/

A personal letter dated October 5, 2006 from Colonel Harry K. Stringer (United States Army) says it well.

The name Ronnie Barrett will go down in the American History Firearms Hall of Fame along with Samuel Colt, John Browning, and John Garand as one of the great inventors of “Firepower for Freedom” in this incredible country of ours. Your greatest testimony is written on the hearts of dozens of U.S. Infantrymen and Snipers I’ve talked to upon their return from Iraq and Afghanistan, many of them while recovering from combat injuries, when they enthusiastically describe the precision accuracy and devastating effectiveness of the “Barrett Gun” as they call it. In honor of God and country, I salute you.

 

[scrat]

scroll down to Barrett when the video feed comes in.
http://myoutdoortv.com/pdk/web/rl-popupplayer.html?feedPID=gCeF3EIwxvnAJfUlOIYKGOOra24TBvbg