06-05-2013, 04:03 AM
LRRPF52 Wrote:I've played with the ARX-160 and ARX-100 at SHOT. While there are some interesting innovations with the selectable ejection (left or right), and the unique quick barrel change system, the carbine feels like an ungainly pig in my hands.
The open nature of the receiver is even worse than a Kalashnikov, which invites all sorts of debris to find a new home in the critical heart of the weapon. I can see a lot going wrong with that for those of us who live in extreme dust/sand environments with high winds, but if you keep it sanitized at the range, you should have no problems.
The other major pet peeve I have with it is the sight height plane above bore, which seems to be a trend with "3rd Gen" military rifles. It is way too high for my tastes, like the SCAR. The furniture and receiver housing of the Beretta feels quite substantial, however. If you are familiar with the Glock disassembly lever, the Beretta's quick barrel change system will be a snap for you.
My verdict is that it still doesn't offer anything over an AR15 that excites me enough to even remotely want to get one.
That might be the problem as to why the Army has not selected a replacement for the M16/M4. Nothing is that much better. Plus most tend to be less comfortable than the current platform. And the cost is climbing so high that it makes it nearly impossible to arm troops.
What would make a good Gen III battle rifle? The modular concept is a start. That includes a gas system plus multi-caliber (barrel swaps). Integrate the rails into the housing. Faxon firearms has a good concept, in aluminum. Now do it in polymer which drop weight plus smooth the lines out. We need a rifle that is thinner, much like the FN FNC was.
The IWI Tavor also is a good start, for a bullpup. We may need two rifles, one for the designated marksman and another for the average "Joe". A bullpup might work better for most support troops or for infantry needing to get in and out of vehicles or enter buildings. the UK went this route. Perhaps IWI could make a DMR from their platform (20" barrel, regular rifle stock rather than bullpup, set up for long range shooting). That way that DMR and the IR would have a majority of interchangeable parts.