U.S. Standard Firearm
U.S. Standard Firearm
The standard U.S. firearm and it's derivatives, the M16 and M4 carbine, while manageable firearms, leave a lot to be desired. From it's poor stopping generally, to general unreliability, to maintenance issues, and questionable indoctrination, the firearm suffers from a number of issues. Despite it's improvements over the years, there's still a lot to be desired from the firearm of one of the most powerful military's in the world, especially in comparison to many modern firearms present in country's today. Notable improvements include an enlarged receiver (2.5 to 3.5 pounds, which allows for more gas diffusion), a chrome lined barrel and breech, composite construction over 10 times stronger than it's 1960's variant, a more powerful round (from 3.5 to 4.1 grams), the adoption of better suited parts to the dirtier powder it wasn't originally intended to use, picatinny rail accessory standardization, a more reliable 30 round magazine instead of an unreliable 20 round magazine, along with general information regarding the capacity to clean the previously claimed "self cleaning weapon", have been incredibly beneficial to the firearm. However, it still is relatively lacking compared to modern firearms.
In a military dust test, in July 2007, the U.S. Army announced a limited competition between the M4 carbine, FN SCAR, HK416, XCR, and the previously-shelved HK XM8. Ten examples of each of the four competitors were involved. Each weapon fired 6,000 rounds in an "extreme dust environment". The purpose of the shoot-off was for assessing future needs, not to select a replacement for the M4. The XM8 scored the best, with only 127 stoppages in 60,000 total rounds, the FN SCAR Light had 226 stoppages, while the HK416 had 233 stoppages. The M4 carbine scored "significantly worse" than the rest of the field with 882 stoppages. This is roughly 1 jam every 472, 265, 257, and 68 rounds, respectively. Although perhaps not as reliable as a machine gun or Ak-47, it's easy to see how modern equivalent weapon are significantly more reliable over the direct impingement system of the M16.
The weapon's firepower is exceedingly low, sometimes being incapable of immediately stopping insurgents who pose serious threats to American soldiers or innocent civilians. Although details do exist on events that involved many rounds being fired into drugged assailants or at car body's with varying success of stopping the individuals, the firepower, or lack there of is easily demonstrated by it's difficulty with standard urban obstacles. According to the U.S. military, the round can be stopped by ""One thickness of sandbags, a 2-inch concrete wall (unreinforced), a 55-gallon drum filled with water or sand, a small ammunition can filled with sand, a cinder block filled with sand (block would probably shatter), a plate glass windowpane at a 45-degree angle (glass fragments would be thrown behind the glass), a brick veneer, or a car body (rounds fired from M16A1/M16A2 rifles would likely penetrate, but not normally exit)." Glass, and a small ammunition box filled with sand. [1][2]
Do these short comings necessitate replacement? Given that the M4 and M16 have served in many engagements effectively, it is largely uncertain. In any case, U.S. soldiers would likely be better off with a more reliable, powerful, and capable firearm, as it could effect nearly all members of the military, from medics, to airmen, to tank crews, to your average foot soldier, when a personal defense weapon is needed.
Budget Constraints
Largely, budget constraints are inconsequential. Despite congress putting the 1.8 billion dollar Individual carbine competition on hold for budget auditing, an expenditure worth approximately two stealth planes but that could field over 500,000 weapons, budget concerns are relatively minor. This is in large part due to the relatively low cost of firearms compared to the otherwise enormous budget of the military.
The standard M16 rifle costs approximately 1000 dollars, with barrel replacements around 500 dollars. Approximately X amount have been purchased, and it has been in service with the country for over 43 years. Comparatively, The SR-25, an incredibly high grade sniper rifle, is worth approximately 4000-5000 dollars. If the military were to purchase 1 million firearms at 10,000 dollars each, it would cost approximately 10 billion dollars. Over 10 years, this would be approximately 1 billion dollars per year, out of a 700 billion dollar budget. Considering the impact it could have, the cost would largely be insignificant compared to the rest of the military's expenditures.
As well, a more expensive firearm could be more durable. The M16 is rated to last approximately 10,000 rounds, while the barrel is capable of lasting approximately 5,000. Combined, this makes a 10,000 round package approximately 1500 dollars. Comparatively, the XM8 and HK416 are guaranteed to function reliably for approximately 20,000 rounds, including their barrel. In terms of comparatively costs, the HK416 and XM8 could be 2000 dollars per rifle, and still be cheaper than the M16, which would cost 3000 dollars every 20,000 rounds. Thus a higher quality rifle, which lasts considerably longer, could in fact save money, and in the mean time increase reliability and firepower. Since logistics dictate etc. [1]
Thus the price of the rifle, even far outside of reasonable costs, is still affordable to the military.
General Considerations
Obviously, a firearm must have
The standard U.S. firearm and it's derivatives, the M16 and M4 carbine, while manageable firearms, leave a lot to be desired. From it's poor stopping generally, to general unreliability, to maintenance issues, and questionable indoctrination, the firearm suffers from a number of issues. Despite it's improvements over the years, there's still a lot to be desired from the firearm of one of the most powerful military's in the world, especially in comparison to many modern firearms present in country's today. Notable improvements include an enlarged receiver (2.5 to 3.5 pounds, which allows for more gas diffusion), a chrome lined barrel and breech, composite construction over 10 times stronger than it's 1960's variant, a more powerful round (from 3.5 to 4.1 grams), the adoption of better suited parts to the dirtier powder it wasn't originally intended to use, picatinny rail accessory standardization, a more reliable 30 round magazine instead of an unreliable 20 round magazine, along with general information regarding the capacity to clean the previously claimed "self cleaning weapon", have been incredibly beneficial to the firearm. However, it still is relatively lacking compared to modern firearms.
In a military dust test, in July 2007, the U.S. Army announced a limited competition between the M4 carbine, FN SCAR, HK416, XCR, and the previously-shelved HK XM8. Ten examples of each of the four competitors were involved. Each weapon fired 6,000 rounds in an "extreme dust environment". The purpose of the shoot-off was for assessing future needs, not to select a replacement for the M4. The XM8 scored the best, with only 127 stoppages in 60,000 total rounds, the FN SCAR Light had 226 stoppages, while the HK416 had 233 stoppages. The M4 carbine scored "significantly worse" than the rest of the field with 882 stoppages. This is roughly 1 jam every 472, 265, 257, and 68 rounds, respectively. Although perhaps not as reliable as a machine gun or Ak-47, it's easy to see how modern equivalent weapon are significantly more reliable over the direct impingement system of the M16.
The weapon's firepower is exceedingly low, sometimes being incapable of immediately stopping insurgents who pose serious threats to American soldiers or innocent civilians. Although details do exist on events that involved many rounds being fired into drugged assailants or at car body's with varying success of stopping the individuals, the firepower, or lack there of is easily demonstrated by it's difficulty with standard urban obstacles. According to the U.S. military, the round can be stopped by ""One thickness of sandbags, a 2-inch concrete wall (unreinforced), a 55-gallon drum filled with water or sand, a small ammunition can filled with sand, a cinder block filled with sand (block would probably shatter), a plate glass windowpane at a 45-degree angle (glass fragments would be thrown behind the glass), a brick veneer, or a car body (rounds fired from M16A1/M16A2 rifles would likely penetrate, but not normally exit)." Glass, and a small ammunition box filled with sand. [1][2]
Do these short comings necessitate replacement? Given that the M4 and M16 have served in many engagements effectively, it is largely uncertain. In any case, U.S. soldiers would likely be better off with a more reliable, powerful, and capable firearm, as it could effect nearly all members of the military, from medics, to airmen, to tank crews, to your average foot soldier, when a personal defense weapon is needed.
Budget Constraints
Largely, budget constraints are inconsequential. Despite congress putting the 1.8 billion dollar Individual carbine competition on hold for budget auditing, an expenditure worth approximately two stealth planes but that could field over 500,000 weapons, budget concerns are relatively minor. This is in large part due to the relatively low cost of firearms compared to the otherwise enormous budget of the military.
The standard M16 rifle costs approximately 1000 dollars, with barrel replacements around 500 dollars. Approximately X amount have been purchased, and it has been in service with the country for over 43 years. Comparatively, The SR-25, an incredibly high grade sniper rifle, is worth approximately 4000-5000 dollars. If the military were to purchase 1 million firearms at 10,000 dollars each, it would cost approximately 10 billion dollars. Over 10 years, this would be approximately 1 billion dollars per year, out of a 700 billion dollar budget. Considering the impact it could have, the cost would largely be insignificant compared to the rest of the military's expenditures.
As well, a more expensive firearm could be more durable. The M16 is rated to last approximately 10,000 rounds, while the barrel is capable of lasting approximately 5,000. Combined, this makes a 10,000 round package approximately 1500 dollars. Comparatively, the XM8 and HK416 are guaranteed to function reliably for approximately 20,000 rounds, including their barrel. In terms of comparatively costs, the HK416 and XM8 could be 2000 dollars per rifle, and still be cheaper than the M16, which would cost 3000 dollars every 20,000 rounds. Thus a higher quality rifle, which lasts considerably longer, could in fact save money, and in the mean time increase reliability and firepower. Since logistics dictate etc. [1]
Thus the price of the rifle, even far outside of reasonable costs, is still affordable to the military.
General Considerations
Obviously, a firearm must have
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