From John Farnam DTI Quips:
11 Oct 09
The problem that won't go away!
Despite the Pentagon's, and the Administration's, best efforts to quash it, news leaked from Afghanistan yesterday about issue-M4s failing their users. These unhappy first-hand reports see the light of day every so often, only to be promptly denied, dismissed, and quickly buried by a gaggle of star-wearers and politicians alike. From wherever they started their career, star-wearers of today teethed on the M16 and its succeeding variants (like the current M4). Most have never known another rifle, nor another cartridge.
The autochthonous inadequacy of the 5.56X45 (223) round, in its current role at a main-battle cartridge, has been well known, and generally acknowledged, for over forty years. Every conceivable attempt has been made to "upgrade" this cartridge. None have been successful enough to justify retaining it. Yes, it is still with us.
The maintenance-sensitive Stoner System is light, but that attribute is one of the few to recommend it. Gas-piston systems, as embodied in the SIG/556, XCR, and others, albeit heavier, have demonstrated themselves to be significantly superior in terms of both reliability and durability.
Unfortunately, adopting a new rifle, chambered for the same, tired 223 round, only solves half the problem. We must have a new cartridge, with range and penetration worthy of a main-battle weapon, combined with a new, gas-piston rifle.
The worn-out argument of "re-training" on a new rifle doesn't stand up. During the M16's tenure, we've gone through several generations of vehicles, anti-tank weapons, pistols, field-rations, and a host of other personal gear. And yet, acquiring the next generation of main-battle rifles has somehow become an interminable, impenetrable barrier!
For the cost of a single F22, we could re-arm, and re-train, the entire Corps of Infantry!
Maybe this time?
/John
MBTV
Forum Index
Help
Calendar
Contact Info
Register as a member
