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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: Darksheare

Mostly barrel overheating problems from what I understand. Not sure what other behind-the-scenes politics came down, though.


81 posted on 02/02/2011 6:34:55 PM PST by Future Snake Eater ("Get out of the boat and walk on the water with us!”--Sen. Joe Biden)
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To: mylife
"The M1 carbine gets a lot of ridicule for lack of power, but it was perfect for its role. Its light, it points quick and delivers the goods. Heck its fine out to 100 yds for deer hunting."

Agreed. It's not by any stretch a "battle rifle", but I've never heard of anybody volunteering to be shot by one to prove how weak the cartridge is. If you think of it as a 30 round .357 magnum with a slightly flatter trajectory you won't ask it to do more than it's capable of.

82 posted on 02/02/2011 6:35:26 PM PST by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: Joe 6-pack

That thing is awesome. I love the Bullpup design and the gentle forward ejection feature. I want.


83 posted on 02/02/2011 6:37:19 PM PST by RC one
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To: Joe 6-pack

I think of it as a 30 30 for pistols and carbines.

My first firearm.


84 posted on 02/02/2011 6:38:48 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 ~ Halfbaked: 50c)
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To: Joe 6-pack

Nice concept although it is not a proven design and parts would be a pain if you broke something.

Give it a year or 2, let them work out the bugs.

I’d still rather have an FAL though.


85 posted on 02/02/2011 6:39:08 PM PST by DirtyPigpen
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To: Joe 6-pack

Oops I thought you were discussing the Keltec bullpup shotgun.


86 posted on 02/02/2011 6:40:51 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 ~ Halfbaked: 50c)
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To: RC one; DirtyPigpen

Yeah...I wouldn’t buy one right away. It takes (metric) FAL mags, and while I’ve heard a lot of mixed-reviews of Keltec products in general, everything I’ve heard/read/seen of the RFB has been quite positive. I very much like the concept of just putting a bucket at the end of your shooting bench to collect up your brass. That notion itself makes me smile :-)


87 posted on 02/02/2011 6:43:47 PM PST by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
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To: mylife
"The ROE are BS

They are purely meant to protect the enemy. Our KIA's have doubled month after month since the muzzie lover put them in.

A LOT of blood on his hands. I hope I live long enough to see God's justice arrive on his person.

88 posted on 02/02/2011 6:43:51 PM PST by maine-iac7
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To: wtc911
"I like my Saiga"

I love my Saiga 12! I have a couple of the MD 20rnd drums for it. Has to be one of the most fun guns I've ever shot. Very reliable too! Set up right, that shotgun will be perfect for when TSHTF.

89 posted on 02/02/2011 6:45:16 PM PST by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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To: KoRn

Mine always seems to have cycling issues.

I have a benelli supernova which I like best.


90 posted on 02/02/2011 6:47:37 PM PST by GlockThe Vote (Who needs Al Queda to worry about when we have Obama?)
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To: maine-iac7

It was bad enough under Bush due to NATO and the media need for a “Coalition”

It is awful now. Our guys cant do shit.

The Brits held musa qala for 8 years, built up the infrastructure while they where there and Nato says “well its all calm now, lets pull out”

Well sir, when they pulled out, the taliban came screaming out of the hills and retook the improved infrastructure.
Then My friend has to re liberate the reinforced stronghold, and they cant chase them into Pohkystan.

They lick their wounds and regroup

BS


91 posted on 02/02/2011 6:50:24 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 ~ Halfbaked: 50c)
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To: GlockThe Vote

Gotta set up the gas plug for the load used.


92 posted on 02/02/2011 6:51:31 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 ~ Halfbaked: 50c)
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To: RC one

Drool...


93 posted on 02/02/2011 6:55:03 PM PST by databoss
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To: Joe 6-pack

I know what you mean about the bucket for brass! When I had a CETME it would chunk the brass all over the place and I’d only be able to find about 80% of my cases. Never used any of my LC match brass in that thing fo sho!!


94 posted on 02/02/2011 6:55:21 PM PST by DirtyPigpen
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To: mylife

How do I do that?

I also have a remi 870 but have to say, the benelli is great as far as absorbing the kick.


95 posted on 02/02/2011 6:57:39 PM PST by GlockThe Vote (Who needs Al Queda to worry about when we have Obama?)
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To: KingLudd

No! the M4’s will join the Korean M1 Carbines and M1 Rifles.
Maybe the Pubbies could help there, but I doubt it. Captain Krunch here we come.


96 posted on 02/02/2011 6:59:35 PM PST by barb-tex ( C)
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To: GlockThe Vote

Use this https://www.mdarms.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13_11&products_id=16

Nothing absorbs recoil like the saiga


97 posted on 02/02/2011 6:59:40 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 ~ Halfbaked: 50c)
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To: mylife
yep.

and after all they fought and sacrificed in that Godforsaken valley - the Korengal, aka Taliban Central - ‘bummer simply gifted it to the taliban.

I think the clip of the Taliban crawling all over RESTREPO, boasting - with all the ammo, missiles, rockets and gas that the last unit there then were forced - NOT by the enemy, but out leaders - to leave behind - may be the most maddning thing I have ever seen..

Traitors

98 posted on 02/02/2011 7:02:37 PM PST by maine-iac7
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To: GlockThe Vote

Nothing will get more people talking to you than unloading a drum in the saiga 12.

People are drawn to it like moths around a flame.


99 posted on 02/02/2011 7:05:22 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 ~ Halfbaked: 50c)
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To: maine-iac7

Indeed.

I am praying for my friend.
He isnt stupid like Capt Kearny. He was in gulf war one and two as well as this 2nd tour in afghanistan.

No offense to Capt Kearny, but dude, you need to call the shots.

You can explain later.


100 posted on 02/02/2011 7:08:27 PM PST by mylife (Opinions: $1.00 ~ Halfbaked: 50c)
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