In the continuing debate over whether the current version of the M4 carbine should be replaced, some lawmakers are keeping pressure on the Army to take another look at their standard-issued rifle.
In a series of letters to top Army officials, Sen. Tom Coburn, a Republican from Oklahoma who has no small arms makers in his state, asked a simple question to the new, acting Army secretary Pete Geren: “Is the M4 the best rifle in the world?”
The letter, written May 16, is the latest attempt by the first-term Senator to force the Army to look at new rifle technologies that could make life a lot easier for Soldiers and other troops who use the compact M4 as their primary weapon. Coburn does not sit on any armed service-related committees.
As most DT readers already know, the M4 in its current state uses a gas-operated system to eject a spent round and load another. That system – without going into the minute details – is said to be prone to malfunctions unless it is meticulously cleaned. That’s hard to do in harsh, talcum-sand environments like Iraq and Afghanistan and can be extremely time consuming.
New (at least in infantry weapons) gas-piston operating system designs are much less prone to fouling, operators say, and can be retrofitted to current weapons at relatively low cost.
The congressional pressure is mounting, a Senate source tells Defense Tech, to withhold funds in the 2008 Defense Authorization bill to buy $375 million in M4s for new Army Brigade Combat Teams from Colt Defense until the Army holds an evaluation of these new rifle systems. Candidate weapons include the FN-made SOCOM Combat Assault Rifle, the HK 416 (which is popular with special operations forces) and Colt’s gas-piston version of the M4, appropriately dubbed the “M5.”
Competition-backers in the Senate aren’t optimistic that they can insert language into the budget markup, but are planning to take their argument to the floor of the Senate when the final bill comes up for a vote. The senate source said Air/Land forces subcommittee chairman, Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.), is resisting the competition bill language.
Colt Defense is based in West Hartford, Conn.
The Army has also resisted changing course on the M4, saying back in late March that the carbine has “been improved numerous times and employs the most current technology available on any rifle/carbine in general use today.”
That seems to be at odds with what the Army’s most elite soldiers (and other special ops forces, for that matter) really want. But as the body armor debate heats back up again and lawmakers show a greater willingness to have the services explore – and pay for – new approaches to everyday equipment, we’ll see if the Army takes another look at the Soldier’s most important piece of equipment.
-- Christian
Been carrying and shooting assault weapons and various military weapons around the world for about 22 years now. Regardless of what anyone says or the treacherous deeds and politics of weapons procurment there are certain things that are true. The following is a list of requirements for a assault rifle that would produce a weapon better than the M4 /M16:
Caliber-take the 7.62X39 and neck it down to 6.5mm and put a 100grain bullet on it. This would outperform the 5.56 at all ranges. Outperform 7.62X39 on all counts except penetration through dense vegetation. 7.62 nato is bigger than necessary. This would also allow the use of a subsonic 156 grain bullet allowing silenced operation.
It must weigh less than 7lb unloaded w/o optic.
It must have a telescoping stock to compensate for body armor and various clothing. The stock must also side fold for concealing underneath your arm under a overcoat, in vehicles, or for jumping.
It must have a effective compensator that doesn't make you quickly permanently deaf if you have to shoot without hearing protection and allows mounting a suppressor. This compensator will also have wire cutter that the bayonet interfaces with....(yeah I hear the new kids whining about not needing a bayonet..IF the Army gave you a nice double edge spear point bayonet with a 8" blade better than the m7 and smaller lighter than the M9 you would probably like it and carry it.
The barrel will be long enough to allow 2700 FPS.
The barrel will be chrome lined.
The barrel will have polygonal rifling if it is accurate enough.
The chamber will be fluted.
The barrel will have a cleaning rod underneath for clearing obstructions/jams in a emergency when you don't have your cleaning kit.
The front site will be at the end of the barrel allowing maximum distance between sites lesseneing the effect of site alignment error. It will have "wings" to protect it like a m4. Not a globe.
Handguards will cover the length of the barrel so your not burning your hands on the barrel.
Polymers like used in the glock will be used in recievers provided they are strong enough to physically beat a man to death with the weapon and not break it.
All steel will be stainless.
Finish will be a brown paint of some type.
It will have standard rail systems to mount the latest accessories that come along.
It will have Battery box in the stock with a 1/2" tube leading to the front of the weapon. The batt/box will use 3V photo bat's like in the surefire light. The box will have staged power outs for 3,6,9,12 V output. the weapon will have negative ground and Positive power wires for accessories will run through the tube to the front of the weapon. This way Batteries in the back will offset the weight forward of the accessories. This will also allow lighter weight accessories and a better balanced weapon.
Magazines will tilt and lock in like a AK47. (it is just as fast as a M4 if you don't have to slap it to be sure). Magazines will be made of Aluminum like a m16 mag. They will not have a waffle pattern that prohibits them from sliding out of a mag pouch.
The safety will be activated with the trigger finger so lesser disciplined troops will keep their finger on the safety and not on the trigger.
There will be a spring loaded thumb lever that when depressed enables full auto. There will not be a 3 round burst.
The trigger will be crisp and trigger pull will be less than 5.5lb.
The bolt carrier will have a bolt handle that reciprocates similar to Galil for left or right hand use. This stops the need for a forward assist and allows a soldier to manually work the action and still have a effective weapon.
The extractor will be large and powerful like the M249 saw.
The ejector will be a fixed machined part of the weapon like a SKS.
The locking system will be a Tilt/locker like a FAL or SKS, or it will be a rotating system with no more than 2 large locking lugs.
The barrel will have a threaded barrel extension containing locking mechanism so headspace can be adjusted by threading and tightening locking nuts. No need for precision machined reciever, or shoulder lugs.
AT all cost, no attempt whatsoever will be made to make it stylish, or appeal to women or europeans. It also will not be given any cool/silly names to make it sound cool. Coolness will be determined by the reduction of body temperature produced by the enemy.
OK so that's almost all of my good IDeas on how to make the best rifle for the soldier that can be made now with current technology in less than 2 years. So someone please go do it
Posted by: rob at June 10, 2007 09:59 PM