XM8 is prove the US Army does not know what it want and now wants
to waste money on open competition for a M16/M4 replacement
I know a few taxpayers who won't be happy. H&K have good product though 5.56 maybe right though not to waste anymore money they should just take as is and work out the kinks heck even the original model
M16 had problems.

Originally Posted by warhappy100

XM8 is prove the US Army does not know what it want and now wants
to waste money on open competition for a M16/M4 replacement
I know a few taxpayers who won't be happy. H&K have good product though 5.56 maybe right though not to waste anymore money they should just take as is and work out the kinks heck even the original model
M16 had problems.

The AR-15/M16 which was fixed before it fully screwed the program (M16A1). The problems where also minor barrel needed to be chromed, foward assist added and better powder. The XM8 melts, is made of plastic and is just plain .

The U.S. Army know what it wants, and it doesn't wan the XM8.

How is the Army wasting money in having gun makes compete?

They should stick with the M16/M4, why fix what isn't broken?

I've heard from a few people that the Army is dropping the XM8 project, which would seem pointless by me. Although other people have told me that they are proceeding with the XM8 plan and that is just a bunch of rumors flying around.. Can someone clear this up for me?

The project to replace the M-16 is a facet within the overal OICW program; the programe to equip infantry with completely next-generation weapons.

So I can safely tell you that the program to replace the M-16 is NOT scrapped, it is still very much underway.

However, it is true that the XM-8 has been postponed. The army is playing it close to the vest but what we hear is that there where flaws in the design that became aparent durring field tests and there has also been strong lobying by competitors like Colt inc. to give their weapons a chance before going with the XM-8.

Currently the XM-8 has NOT been dropped but is awaiting re-evaluation and analysis by the army brass on how to procede in order to get the best weapon possible for our troops.

Thanks! Good thing, heh. I'm a big M-16 and XM8 fan.. Hopefully when I get into the service, about 2011 or so they'll be getting farther with them!

sure looks damn nice is these the current designs? just did a quick search on XM8

The Colt has not made a military contract M16 since the late 1980s. Fabrique National is currently making them.

The XM8 was dropped and is going to be re-evaluated because the first series of test were scewed toward the H&K design. The new series of test will be with a open bid contract.

That means that other firearm companies will be able to introduce their products for the evaluation.

I believe that the XM8 is a piece of crap. It's all plastic and it is not compatible with any of the current US equipment.

In the end, I think that the M16 will stay in service for a at longer. And if not, the Government should re-open the real Springfield Armory and pump out modern variants of the M14. Such as the M1A SOCOM II Carbine.



Also the M1A Scout Squad Rifle is a fine choice.


The reasons are simple. The M14 is a simple, well proven design, and is still in service as the M21 Sniper Rifle. Also the 7.62X51MM NATO is a proven battle cartridge. Greater knock down power, longer range, and will easily pierce heavy structures and most body armors.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-rifles-m1a.shtml

Well, I like the XM-8 design a lot from what I've read on paper and seen of guys like R. Lee Ermy putting it through it's paces on some enemy watermellons

Bashing a new generation rifle because it requires new equipment is a historically bad idea to take. Remember when the US Army wouldn't equip its soldiers with repeating rifles in the Civil War instead of muskets because they said it wasn't compatible with all their musket supplies. That isn't looked at as neccessarily such a great move in hindsight

I would like to see 7.62 brought back, though. I've never been happy with the 5.56 and the XM-8 can very easily be converted between 7.62 and 5.56 chambers.

Originally Posted by Whispering Death

Well, I like the XM-8 design a lot from what I've read on paper and seen of guys like R. Lee Ermy putting it through it's paces on some enemy watermellons

Bashing a new generation rifle because it requires new equipment is a historically bad idea to take. Remember when the US Army wouldn't equip its soldiers with repeating rifles in the Civil War instead of muskets because they said it wasn't compatible with all their musket supplies. That isn't looked at as neccessarily such a great move in hindsight

I would like to see 7.62 brought back, though. I've never been happy with the 5.56 and the XM-8 can very easily be converted between 7.62 and 5.56 chambers.

What you forget is that the U.S. Military isn't a few people. When they buy something they buy alot of it, example; The U.S. Army has had the same simulator system computers since 1979 and they have enough parts to last unitl 2020 and the company that produced them stopped making parts in the early 90's.

I believe that the XM8 is a horrible design. I'm not aganist new designs. I'm against a waste of my tax money. If the DOD wants a new rifle. The FN SCAR is a fine choice. The current generation of M16s are far more advanced than any other rifle on the market. I don't want the DOD to replace a good weapon system with a piece of crap.