http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/05/25/colt-outs-defense-department-opens-bids-combat-rifles/

Sounds like once again the DoD will be looking at a replacement rifle for the M16/M4 platform. From what the article states the contendors are:

Colt CM901
Remington ACR
H&K 416
FN SCAR
S&W (Undisclosed platform)

I'm willing to bet there will be other MFRs looking to get into the action as a DoD sole source contracts are huge amounts of money. Knights/LMT/LWRC/Robinson Arms are some other companies that I'd want to see in the mix. I just hope this time around it won't be a goat rope like the XM project turned out to be.

  H&K! H&K! H&K! 
  FN SCAR! FN SCAR!
 

X100000 for the German stuff!!!

Click here...piston AR vs. gas AR's

my favorite though....HK416

I'm willing to bet there will be other MFRs looking to get into the action as a DoD sole source contracts are huge amounts of money. Knights/LMT/LWRC/Robinson Arms are some other companies that I'd want to see in the mix. I just hope this time around it won't be a goat rope like the XM project turned out to be.

The only way to ensure the BEST results? The DoD needs to open it up to all comers. Until they do, it's just another government boondoggle. Sure they'll test everything someone behind a desk tells them to, but in the end some BS will shut it down and they'll have gone nowhere.

Personally I like the SCAR system, but realistically I think tax payer dollars would be far better spent on improving the M16/M4's we already have in our inventory.

Give them some nickle boron coating, and keep it moving!

Quote from: kaneohegrown on May 25, 2011, 09:34:20 AM

I'm willing to bet there will be other MFRs looking to get into the action as a DoD sole source contracts are huge amounts of money. Knights/LMT/LWRC/Robinson Arms are some other companies that I'd want to see in the mix. I just hope this time around it won't be a goat rope like the XM project turned out to be.

The only way to ensure the BEST results? The DoD needs to open it up to all comers. Until they do, it's just another government boondoggle. Sure they'll test everything someone behind a desk tells them to, but in the end some BS will shut it down and they'll have gone nowhere.

Personally I like the SCAR system, but realistically I think tax payer dollars would be far better spent on improving the M16/M4's we already have in our inventory.

The GOV needs to have a contest open to all. Best overall design gets the contract.....Read the story behind GLOCK....

The GOV needs to have a contest open to all. Best overall design gets the contract.....Read the story behind GLOCK....

Exactly what I mean...until that happens it'll go nowhere. What I really see happening is (God willing) the war ends and interest in a "better" rifle dwindles.

Having carried an M16/M4 over the last 20+ years might have me a little biased. But there is a lot to be said for sticking with something proven.

X100000 for the German stuff!!!

Click here...piston AR vs. gas AR's

my favorite though....HK416

what a lot of people don't realize is that the existing AR/M16 based rifles already have a piston in it...and it still works.

Having carried an M16/M4 over the last 20+ years might have me a little biased. But there is a lot to be said for sticking with something proven.
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I'm going on 30+. I remember shooting an M16A1 wth M193 55gr at 500yds at Edson Range at Camp Pendleton in 1980.
My concern is the inadequate marksmanship training that Soldiers get these days. Soldiers can get an "Expert Badge" without ever firing a shot over 250meters. Some of them do it at 25meters exclusively.

Personally, I'd prefer if they went back to a true "battle rifle" platform. Just like the days of the BAR/M1/M14, get the guys back into the .308 / 30-06 calibers. AR10's/SR25 platforms would give the military better ballistics compared to the 5.56, improved range, and above all increased lethality. Manual of arms would remain the same for the operators, so no cross platform training would be required.

Just as Teichi stated, good marksmanship is hugely important to get bullets in bodies too. I personally hated the ISMT program while in the Marine Corps. It was in no way shape or form an equivalent training tool, when compared to going to the range and actually putting rounds down range. Range time is where Marines are able to improve their shooting ability. ISMT is essentially a big video game, in a big air con'd room. Not nearly as effective as actually running a gun in the field, where temperature/weather/lighting are all dynamic and force the shooter to compensate for the given conditions.