Army slow to replace M4 rifle platform

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAjkxLSkv7Q


The competition isn't resting, and it isn't prone to jamming.

Shoot an HK G3 (1960's design) or its current PTR equivalent, an AK 47/74, or an SKS, tell me how long it takes to clean it? I can clean all 4 of those rifles before you get your M4 finished. Tell me that is an efficient system. Any system that dumps crap into the Bolt Carrier group is going to fail, and fail often. It can't help it. The cleanest ammo in the world is not going to fix that problem, it will delay it, but once the carbon builds up it is all downhill form there. Shoot other platforms, shoot them hard then try and do the same thing with the M4.
My opinion is based on working with our Allies, I served in Nuke units when I was enlisted. We retained the warheads, they had the rest of the system. I got to shoot the G3 often, the only advantage the M16 ever had on that rifle ...weight. Wasn't accuracy, wasn't on reliability, it was weight. I also worked with Italian and Dutch Armies, the Italians used a BM-59 basically there version of an M-14, good but heavy, The FAL was used by Holland, better rifle than the M-16 based on reliability. These rifles were all well worn, but very useable. The M-16A1 was a nice rifle to carry around, but got filthy, so was the M16A2, and M4. I never got a chance to use the M4E1, but I don't see it being any better, as the same gas impingement system is used.

Oh I forgot to mention the sausage grinder linking device the German army used. Yes you could link in the field with a device that allowed you dump a box of ammo into the "grinder" and hand crank it to generate the belted ammo. The German's when I served with them used the same round between rifle and machine gun. Using non disposable link ammo allowed this to happen.

Don't listen to all the hype of the AR/M series being the bad ass rifle ever built, it has flaws, every rifle does. But some will leave you not shooting and forcing you to stop. I own a Vepr in 7.62 x 54R, an AMD 63 (AK Clone), Yugo SKS, a AR-15 in .458 SOCOM, and a couple of AR's in 5.56 by S&W (those were early models with the 5R barrel, and melonite coating) My Vepr is a tank and weighs almost as one, but it has a reliability like nothing else out there. The AMD is essentially a Hungarian AKM, both it and the Yugo are good rifles as far as reliability. The Smith and Wesson sporter are also good, not Vepr reliable but better than anything Uncle Sam ever issued me.

SMSgt Thor Merich I'm still waiting to Hear about the first Bomber Jockey that is the Great Grandson to Fly the Same Aircraft as Papa.

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel - Could happen, there already have been both fathers and later sons that both flew the B52. Before the M16 I had used the M! Garand, (all 9.5 lbs of it.) as well as the M1 and M2 carbines. I also had fired the Springfield 03. I had fired expert with all of them.