I normally only think of the M249 which is 5.56 but yeah, the M60E3/4 is a 7.62. Having had a chance to fire an AR15 and an HK SR9 I will say that the 7.62 kicks like hell and the rifle is significantly heavier. Wouldn't want to have to one in a ready fire position for that long.

The little fracas in Afghanistan and Iraq has people rethinking things. The 5.56 has shown that it does exactly what it was designed to do, problem being the people we are engaging today and for the foreseeable future don't give a shit about their wounded and would rather leave them behind as a booby trap. Also the 5.56 particularly when used in a carbine has extremely reduced range and power resulting in situations where Marines were fired upon but unable to return fire particularly in Afghanistan. I will not be surprised if we move to a 6.8 mm or 7.62 mm standard for the Assault/Battle Rifle role in the next ten years.

Personally speaking I love the M16a2, accurate as hell with just iron sights, but I really like the M14, that was a rifle you could almost snipe with. Give me a 7.62mm any day, I want my target to go down and stay down, not linger on and continue to be a threat.

But from what I understand in Iraq the prefferred weapon was the M4 Carbine as there was extensive close quarters fighting. The primary advantage being that the shorter barrel made for easier handling and didn't snag on things as much as an M-16A2. In Afganistan, longer range weapons were more advantageous, and there was less a preference for the M4.

In short though Spec OPs got what it wanted cause its procurement process was more what do you need, while the Army's process was you need what, why? let's do a study. No, you don't need it.

Actually on major procurements it comes down to who lobbied hardest for the contract and how much money was spread around. The FN SCAR and its multiple iterations and armorer friendly retooling has been accepted by SOCCOM and I hope it moves along. Another issue with procurment currently is the fact that certain advanced ammunition studies are nearing fruition and the next basic infantry platform may utilize this ammunition. Specifically telescoped ammunition with a 30% weight reduction, a step towards caseless.

Yee gads, this brings back memories of my recruitment / training.


and absolutely agree on the "Do NOT call attention to yourself!" advice

worst day of my 13 weeks basic, we were learning to sew buttons back onto combat jackets ( yes .. I know Seriously hardcore sewing!)

I did mine in a X across 4 button holes instead of the standard 2 = parallel lines.

then it came to inspection time on the parade square

well the sergeant went Thermo Nuclear on me and tried to rip them off me, he failed so hard, he raged in my face spitting on me in his enthusiasm
going redder and redder in his rage until he grabbed my jacket and ripped the pockets off (the buttons still stayed on)

Oh, how I suffered for the next few weeks, crawling through all the mud he could find, jogging round the square carrying atillery shells, painting grass green and gluing leaves back onto trees !

oh, the military life is blis I tell ya..

Considering us Brits only just replaced a weapon that's been in service since WWII, I seriously doubt we'll be making major advancements in weapons technology

I forgot abiout painting grass green. Fun.

As to the L85A2 I can personally testify that it is not the friendliest weapon in the world to field strip, definitely in need of an upgrade. Though I have to say the bullpup design was nice for carry, not so much for switching mags when you are in the dirt.

oooh the good ole SA-80 how doth I hate thee !

with thy wonky springs and they clogged up gas parts and the impossible to use weapon sling

Yuo don't know pain until you had to inspect a batallions worth of those babies (with a hangover from hell from a night in a strange town)

when the mechanics had used most of their barrels as a makeshit Jack-Handle and bent it so bad it could shoot round corners

mind you, I'd rather strip one of those than a GPMG any day of the week...

Really? M60 Stripped down, and then put back together in under 4 minutes. Simple and Easy. Of course, that was 23 years ago or so. It would probably come back to me. Just like riding a bike.

sorry, I should explain .. Ex Armourer here. strip and re-assembly .. no probs great fun, post firing range full of carbon and dirt and naafi tea/coffee/strangebrewofnastiness with 27 sugars all caked on

Yuck

but getting back on some sort of topic, Dunno who you are mate but best of luck in there. Rule #1 = Bloody enjoy yourself !! .. it'll feel like hell but you'll come out faster, better, stronger and with a bunch of mates for life.

QFT

and you wonder why they keep making gear porn books?

Nope... Don't wonder at all...

They could release new gear porn books every month with functionally identical guns in every one, and I'd still enjoy them, and I'm sure there are quite a few other people on this board that would too.

Yep... saves me the effort (minimal though it is).

You're giving them ideas...

I'd be happy if they released a Gun Heaven style book, with each page featuring 3+ weapons - different names, diffeerent "standard" and "factory" options, same underlaying basic stats (DV, AP, magazine type and size, base price), and a picture of all of those weapons.

("Standard" option - always present, doesn't cost extra ¥ or mod slots; "Factory option" - costs extra ¥, takes no mod slots, only present if you WANT it.)

We use the M-14 Mod-2 in our Designated Marksman program. Great rifle, love to shoot it, although we keep having problems with the new optics we have. And I hate going back to my M-4 after using it. Feels like a toy from K-mart in comparison.

What kind of optics are you using on it? I only ever got to use the iron sights but damn they were spot on if you knew what you were doing, that and I like a weapon that can take a real beating.

Oh hell... I remember them dam things I also remember what my RDC (Recruit Division Commander) said when he handed them out. Salty ass BM1 ready for retirement

"I'm handing these stress card out because I was ordered to. If ANY of you shit stained f*cks pulls one out on me. I'll give you your 15 minutes to go wipe you pussys out. Upon completion of your 15 minutes of being a little bitch; I'm going to make you little f*ck sticks make it rain. Any questions?"

"NO, sir?"

"Good. I'm glad to see there's half a brain between all of you. Now, did any of you little f*ck-tards hear a single swear word come out my mouth during this evolution?"

"No, sir!"


Anyone hear how Neraph is doing as one of Uncle Sams Misguided Children?

We should hear in 2-3 weeks. Assuming he takes the first chance after boot to do that, and he didn't have to wait around or get recycled for some reason. I remember at Ft McClellan my BT company had a room full of guys who had gotten injured and were waiting to heal before going home, finishing basic or going on to AIT, meanwhile they answered phones and did other "fun" office stuff the cadre needed done.

Your RDC sounds a lot like my DIs. Except he doesn't swear as much. ;D

My TI showed up at basic one Saturday he was off, drunk and taunting us that he'd take the first 16 of us little fu**s out with his loaded 9mm. We managed to not laugh til he went into his office and shut the door