New Cartridge Developments and Implications for Dismounted Infantry Soldiers

[stanc]

Roger that. Some ideas that come to mind are appointing a trustee, as well as deciding between pure democratic mobority rules, versus a representative arrangement where certain protocols are adhered to and agreed to by contributors. (To ensure that funds are used for their original intent) Maybe it would be a good idea to start with something small and simple as a proof-of-concept, and see how it develops.

I'd say that's wise. IMO, establishing a vague "R&D fund" that nobody knows what the $$$ will be used for, is unlikely to attract many backers. Note that so far only two members expressed a willingness to donate money.

From what I've see over the years, fundraising works best when there are clear goals. It also helps if the projects are recognized as achieveable, such as the examples of the Finns contributing money to buy new equipment.

With a good After-Action Review system, a little maturity on our parts, and the mad scientists, I think that we could surprise ourselves. Here are some Grendel-specific components that I have seen come up frequently over the past few years:

* Magazines
* Bolts
* Ammunition & components, mainly brass & Grendel-specific bullets

I'm sure every Grendel shooter would like to have better mags, and from more than one source. But, haven't bolts been pretty much fully developed? And there are three makers of ammo and brass, so what R&D effort would be needed in those areas?

I would propose tackling these areas with the following goals:

Develop a polymer or metal magazine that is optimized for the Grendel...

I think the magazine issue is important since CProducts is no longer in business, and there are questions about how the residue of that company will continue. Even though I have not had issues with any of my CProducts mags yet, I think we need to have a Grendel community-backed program with this, so there is more vested interest in ensuring that a quality magazine system is brought to market.

Maybe I'm wrong, but designing and prototyping a new polymer mag seems like it'd be neither a small project, nor a simple one (let alone low-cost). If it were easy, the polymer mag companies would have already done it.

And how would a new metal mag be any different than what currently exists? The limiting factor is the M16 mag well.

Maybe we could simply call it...The Grendel Guild

Cute. And fittingly, somewhat medieval.