| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Tech |
| Barrett and H & K Aim to Replace M16/M4 |
| 2004-12-31 |
| For 40 years, the M-16/M-4 rifle family has reigned as the U.S. military's standard-issue battle rifle. Any gun manufacturer that wants to tackle that stranglehold must also take on the legacy issues that have plagued the M-16/M-4 series over the years: maintenance and reliability issues, overheating (especially in the M-4s), and the less than stellar stopping power and penetrating capabilities of the Remington .223 (5.56mm NATO) cartridge these rifles shoot. |
| Posted by:John Q. Citizen |
| #5 Actually, crazyhorse, the 2nd generation upgrade ended its dependence on batteries - it now has fold-up "standard" iron sights in the M16 post/ring style, the ring being a fold-up tab forward of the sight module and the post being part of an elevation/windage-adjustable front sight column atop the gas block. |
| Posted by: Edward Yee 2004-12-31 9:32:17 PM |
| #4 At the rate the Marines are expending 5.56 cartridges in Iraq, there might not be warehouses of rounds to imede a switch to 6.8. |
| Posted by: RWV 2004-12-31 4:45:09 PM |
| #3 I don't know if Barrett's 6.8 will fly. I am very confident that the Army is going with the H&K, I think in 5.56. If someone does go with the 6.8 then Ronnie Barrett will be able to buy a few more Italian suits, that is for sure. |
| Posted by: remoteman 2004-12-31 3:42:53 PM |
| #2 This looks like a winner - from many angles. Hell, not even Remington will squawk since they make the new cartidge, as well. The knockdown power and the M-16 issues it solves sound like a win-win... If the pricing on the components and ammo are fair, it might even get by the Pentagon logistics folks. The inertia of the Status Quo is remarkable, however... |
| Posted by: .com 2004-12-31 2:30:05 PM |
| #1 Forget the XM-8,in my opinion.Dependance on batteries will not hack it.Just imagine that thing in "hand to hand" combat.Give it to the Army. Now the Barrett gets a real slug in the picture and is a US manufacturer.My experience was with the M-14.Never failed me and weight was not an issue,as I threw that flak jacket away. |
| Posted by: crazyhorse 2004-12-31 2:15:30 PM |