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Army Sets Sights on New Rifle
Wall Street Journal ^ | February 2, 2011 | NATHAN HODGE

Posted on 02/02/2011 5:04:42 PM PST by Pan_Yan

For the first time in almost 50 years, the U.S. Army wants to replace the standard rifle shouldered by hundreds of thousands of frontline troops around the world.

The service this week advertised its interest in a new weapon that would incorporate futuristic sights and other advances in rifle design and be able to handle improved ammunition.

The gun would potentially supplant the M4 carbine, a shorter-barrel version of the M16, the Army's main infantry weapon for decades.

Operations in Afghanistan—where troops often engage the enemy over long distances—have rekindled debate over the quality of the Army's standard-issue rifles and their reliability in dusty, primitive conditions. An Army report on a 2008 battle in Wanat, Afghanistan, cited soldier complaints about jamming and overheating M4s, in particular. Nine servicemen died in that fight.

Critics have also raised concerns about the range and lethality of the 5.56 mm cartridge of the M16/M4.

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: army; banglist
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To: mylife

My supernova works well for me.

When in doubt - get both!


101 posted on 02/02/2011 7:11:53 PM PST by GlockThe Vote (Who needs Al Queda to worry about when we have Obama?)
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To: 1066AD

We used to shoot the national with iron sights. I don’t know but it seems like the 400 metre accuracy with the 5.56 would have less lethality than the .300 or .308 or any real rifle caliber.


102 posted on 02/02/2011 7:12:55 PM PST by barb-tex ( C)
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To: Farmer Dean
"The HK is coming out of the gun safe"

I couldn't find any fault with that. I bought a PTR91. They are an HK91 clone, but unlike many of the other 'clones' you find out there, they are built in America, with all new parts. It was amazing to open that case for the first time and see a pristine 'HK91' inside, because I'd never seen one before in that condition. The rifle was as accurate as it could be out of the box, even with open sites. I've probably run about 1,500rnds though it, only having one hiccup, and I believe it was because of a bad round. With all of their greatness though, they WILL beat you to death. If you aren't built like 'bubba', or an NFL line backer, one might want to invest in a recoil pad. LOL!!! The only thing I truly dislike about them is how they mangle the brass upon ejection. Something about how the rifle was designed that causes it. That's why I mainly use cheap Wolf ammo, or some other cheap unreloadable kind when plinking with it at the range. No sense in wasting good Lake City brass for shooting at paper and clay pigeons.

103 posted on 02/02/2011 7:13:11 PM PST by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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To: maine-iac7

I cant believe Kearny placed his men in harms way for PC ****
My buddy says he would not even venture out of the compound in Afganistan, and this guy isnt adverse to cultures.

I know he was jonsing to see it, but it just isnt safe.

Got shot up pretty good a few times, but whacked some high level al queda.

You go into a mountain pass at 8000 feet with limited lift due to thin air and limited maneuverability due to the mountain walls and the taliban are on the mountainside lighting you up.


104 posted on 02/02/2011 7:14:35 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 ~ Halfbaked: 50c)
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To: GlockThe Vote

I just like com block stuff LoL


105 posted on 02/02/2011 7:15:56 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 ~ Halfbaked: 50c)
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To: KoRn
That .22 conversion I have will work on that. ☺
106 posted on 02/02/2011 7:17:05 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 ~ Halfbaked: 50c)
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To: GlockThe Vote
"Mine always seems to have cycling issues."

I've found that there are certain loads that the Saiga shotguns seem to 'like' more than others. I've never had a bit of trouble out of 'high brass' hotter loads. On the other hand, it tends to be sloppy with cheap low brass range loads. It's almost like an entirely different gun, between the two different types of shells. Luckily, the one it seems to like is the type you would use when it counts. I believe MD Arms makes an adjustable gas plug that allows you to compensate for the differing loads. You may want to look into it. They are inexpensive."I have a benelli supernova which I like best."

You can't beat a Benelli shotgun. They are awesome!

107 posted on 02/02/2011 7:19:16 PM PST by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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To: mylife

They make .22LR conversions for the 91??

If so, please do share some info! A .22 conversion is great to have for all guns(except for .22s LOL), for many different reasons/scenarios.


108 posted on 02/02/2011 7:22:12 PM PST by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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To: KoRn

Its for the G3 but will work with a 91 if you slip a spacer in there.

I know its pricey for something you have to modify. but it is a simple fix

http://hkpro.com/forum/showthread.php?72549-H-amp-K-.22-cal-G3-conversion-kit


109 posted on 02/02/2011 7:25:15 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 ~ Halfbaked: 50c)
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To: KoRn

Well worth the extra money. The benelli is just awesome. Its light, smooth, no kick at all, composit materials, etc.


110 posted on 02/02/2011 7:27:10 PM PST by GlockThe Vote (Who needs Al Queda to worry about when we have Obama?)
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To: KoRn

I have a cienr kit for my AR. Great damn kit! Brownells has hi cap mags too!

Love shooting 22 through the AR.


111 posted on 02/02/2011 7:30:06 PM PST by GlockThe Vote (Who needs Al Queda to worry about when we have Obama?)
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To: GlockThe Vote

For your benelli http://bandpusa.com/


112 posted on 02/02/2011 7:30:07 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 ~ Halfbaked: 50c)
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To: mylife

Thanks.


113 posted on 02/02/2011 7:31:01 PM PST by GlockThe Vote (Who needs Al Queda to worry about when we have Obama?)
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To: GlockThe Vote

Watch them. They often offer great deals with free shipping.

Nice loads


114 posted on 02/02/2011 7:34:50 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 ~ Halfbaked: 50c)
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To: Joe 6-pack

Wheredja find the rail-top handguard?


115 posted on 02/02/2011 7:37:51 PM PST by ExGeeEye (Freedom is saying "No!" to the Feds, and getting away with it. "Speak 'NO' to Power!")
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To: mylife

Thanks for the info!


116 posted on 02/02/2011 7:40:06 PM PST by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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To: ExGeeEye
They're available through UltiMak.
117 posted on 02/02/2011 7:57:02 PM PST by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: Joe 6-pack

Yeah, I’m fascinated by the new mount they make for the Garand. That could be *very* interesting.


118 posted on 02/02/2011 8:58:50 PM PST by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
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To: KoRn
They make .22LR conversions for the 91??

Oh, yeah. Check the Sportsmans Guide website - their "club" membership would pay for itself in the savings on that one purchase alone. Damned pricy, but sooo "German".

119 posted on 02/02/2011 9:02:50 PM PST by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
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To: Charles Martel
That does look pretty sweet...


120 posted on 02/02/2011 9:06:18 PM PST by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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