USMC chooses H&K to make SAW replacement

[fullautovalmet76]

OK, the H&K 416 is an interesting weapon. However, let me rephrase the question:

What is the difference between and IAR and an M-16 on full-auto when used as a SAW?

I see no real difference in firepower, capacity, rate of fire, or anything else between them. One's a piston and apparently can fire with the receiver underwater and the other (actually, an M4 and I asked about the M-16) explodes rather nastily if you try it.

But as a SAW, what is the difference between the IAR and the M-16A3 as used by the Marines? What will the Marines get if they replace the SAW in a squad with a handful of IARs? I don't see the value.

Path,
I don't know about its future in the USMC, but I believe it's biggest advantage is that it is supposed to be more reliable than either the M-16 or M-4. Here's another video you may have seen already but it puts its advantages out clearly:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtIDLFSlxOo

[Badgersmilk]

WOW.  Disapointing tests in that video.  The dust sheild was closed when he gently brushed sand over the rifle, he shook all the water out before fireing it after it was in the bucket.  I didn't see anything an M16 / M4 wouldn't pass. 

Seemed a bit big and bulky, but nice 40mm though.

[Badgersmilk]

I may surely be 100% crazy to say this, but, if adopting any new rifle, why not address all the complaints troops have had about caliber?

[sunn worshipper]

probably the biggest reason for the change is that an open bolt like the saw will sometimes jam on the first round ( hence the LWRC ) not so bad at 300 yards terrible at 3 feet. basically they using the saw for something it was not designed for, might as well give them mp5's .