“How about going back to the M-14?”
If you’ve ever had to lug an M-14 and a standard issue of ammo through the jungle, you wouldn’t suggest that.
That is one heavy weapon, and absolutely useless on full auto. I never knew anyone that could fire it full auto without ending up shooting at the moon.
You make an excellent point. Weight and bulk must definitely be weighed against “stopping power”.
Perhaps something with the M14 design which is a bit smaller and fires a lighter round?
I’ve always wondered why the gov’t never seems to consider the .243 as a nice compromise between the .308, with it’s excellent “stopping power” but hindered by size/weight issues of both the weapon AND its ammo; and the lighter, smaller, easier to carry .223 which lacks something in the “punch” category.
I’m sure it would never happen due to NATO compatibility issues and whatever else, but I think something like the .243 would be better from the standpoint of the safety and convenience of OUR troops.
I recently saw an AR-15 “clone” (I think they called it an AR-17 or some such) which is chambered for .243. I am seriously considering adding it to my collection.