12-25-2015, 12:30 AM
I carried some version of the M16/M4 family since 1981 until I retired in July. Never had an issue with a M16/M4 that was maintained and lubricated. Unfortunately, I never saw any of the magic "bullets" including 77 OTM and certainly never a Barnes 70TSX though. Always 55 FMJ M193 and later the 62 FMJ M855. Issued and carried M855 overseas in 2005-6. See no use in piston ARs either unless you are using some exotic SBR with a suppressor.
Couple of points from my 30+ career - 1) 100 lbs of lightweight "stuff" is still 100 lbs; our "light fighters" are loaded awful heavy and 2) there are not that many Soldiers/Marines at the point of the spear engaging the enemy at any one time - we can easily afford to give the Warriors on the tip of the spear the BEST small arms available.
Couple of points from my 30+ career - 1) 100 lbs of lightweight "stuff" is still 100 lbs; our "light fighters" are loaded awful heavy and 2) there are not that many Soldiers/Marines at the point of the spear engaging the enemy at any one time - we can easily afford to give the Warriors on the tip of the spear the BEST small arms available.