Posted on 01/10/2005 11:16:50 AM PST by 45Auto
The Shrike 5.56 LMG(Light Machine Gun) upper, by ARES Defense Systems, LLC, is in production and currently available for pre-order(both in select-fire and semi-auto-only configurations), and the ARES Defense Systems site is up and running. If you remember, DefRev reported on the Shrike 5.56 and ARES Defense Systems some time ago.
If it works as advertised, the Shrike 5.56 just might throw the Squad Automatic Weapon(SAW)/LMG market right on it's ear. When fitted to a standard M16 or M4 lower, the Shrike, coming in at about 8 lbs, turns said weapon into a lightweight SAW/LMG that is supposedly every bit as or more reliable than...
its much heavier competition in the "squad automatic weapon" category. The FN M249 Minimi for example, currently in use by our armed forces, is significantly heavier and more cumbersome, even in its new MK46 MOD 0(for the Navy SEAL's) or M249SPW configurations. "SPW" stands for "Special Purpose Weapon", by the way.
The MK46 MOD 0 and M249SPW both weigh 12.6 lbs. The Shrike 5.56 set-up even appears to be about 2.5 lbs lighter than the universally-acclaimed Ultimax 100 LMG/SAW, made by ST Kinetics of Singapore, and roughly 7 lbs lighter than the Israeli Negev Commando LMG/SAW, made by IMI(Israel Military Industries). Only time will tell if the Shrike's performance under harsh battlefield conditions can equal that of either the Ultimax or Negev, both of which are supposed to be highly reliable and durable under adverse conditions. Again, ARES Defense Systems is taking orders right now. Both full-auto and semi-auto(pre-ban and post-ban) uppers are available. I believe this product will prove to be a very big deal in the small arms/tactical firearms market, if it works as advertised, and is reliable and durable. I've spoken with the designer on a number of occasions, and have been waiting a long time for the Shrike 5.56 to be available to the public. It should be noted that DefenseReview.com has no financial stake or interest in the Shrike 5.56. We just really like the concept and significant promise the system has demonstrated.
I want one :)
Roger that!
Oooooooh...me likey...Thanks for the ping!
As I recall there is a 7.62 variant of the M-16. Perhaps you could upscale the M-16 and lay down an upper like this on it. Personally, I would go with a .243 derrivative, but the world seems to like .308/7.62. With a .243 you get more range, heavier bullets and a bit of the benefits of the lighter weight rounds so you can carry more ammo. My 2 cents.
The M60 [...] does a very good job of that.
No it doesn't.
The 7.62 may well be a better round for an LMG than the 5.56. But the M60 is a piss-poor example of a 7.62 LMG.
They'll sell plenty of these to private collectors who own full auto M-16s.
I shall call it Minimi.
"Happiness is a belt fed weapon"
Will someone, anyone, make me happy bu buying me one? LOL
It's going to be really nice to get the AWB off the books in Connecticut, even though I'll be long dead of old age before it happens, but I'd love for my great great great great granddaughter to get to own one of those!!
>>Link belt fed, now we're talking mean! Sure the 5.56 is a pea in a pod, but we have warehouses of them that need to be lit off in the direction of some ugly guys with head scarves on.<<
Have you heard the warehouses are empty and now we're asking Taiwan to build ammo for us?
US seeks to buy ammunition from Taiwan as stocks run low after Iraq: report ^
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1315303/posts
L
Gotta start saving!
I was reading an article recently that Uncle now wants the 6.8 as our national round. I guess these folks had better do some changes in that barrel.
The 6.8mm Remington SPC (now being adopted by the US military) ^
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1315914/posts
Thanks Joe
Thank you. Since I live in the PRK I can only look wistfully at what the citizens of America can own. I did manage to get a Bushmaster in before the ban. Sigh. Time to get serious about that property I saw this summer in Wyoming.
I need a front sight adjustment tool for a M249 SAW. I called FN and there was no response. If anyone knows what may fit, I would greatly appreciate it.
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