01-30-2017, 12:41 AM
n9nwo Wrote:We are not going to see a new rifle until we have a new cartridge. Since the M1 Garand every new rifle has been because we had a new cartridge (M14 -- 7.62x51, M16/M4 -- 5.56x45).
The M4/M4A1/M16 has dominated. Not enough new technology to move away from the current rifle. The weak spot is the cartridge, not the rifle.
The 6.5 Grendel (6.5x39) might be able to do that. I doubt that we will go to another version of the 6.5mm (like 6.5x45, 6.5x51 gives us the same weakness of the 7.62x51). The advantage of the 6.5x39 is that it will fit in the mag well of the M4 thus just a barrel and bolt swap will upgrade the current pool of weapons, giving time to select a new rifle. I would favor something like the Tavor X95 myself.
I know there is a lot of discontent around the 5.56X45 in the military, and there is about $2 billion budgeted for the upgrade of the M16/M4 system. The 6.5X39 would be welcome by a number of well respected military leaders. I have had the opportunity to discuss this with Army and Marine Corp personnel. The M249 can be configured to fire the 6.5X39 which could illiminate the need for an M240 and the 7.62X51 cartridge and provide for a one caliber supply chain.