I think the M-4 is on borrowed time, and has been for some time now. It has seen just too many stoppages in the gulf since the original 1991 war. We have the technology to produce something better, and we should. Every weapon and aircraft in the inventory has time limits before it becomes outdated. The M-4 has well exceeded that time. There are people who love it, as I do, but right now I would be far more comfortable if I were to go into battle with an AK-47. They simply run better in the rough. I only hope they don't make the same mistake they did with the M-9. Bill T.