Why hasn't military changed infantry rifle ?

[Liquid21]

I'm not debating best calibers I'm just curious why the military hasn't changed to a different infantry rifle. I've herd people say that it's mostly politics because gun makers in different districts have a lot of influence.

[jfifer]

If it aint broke dont fix it?

Cost?

Retraining?

Logistics?

Any number of reasons. My dad (24 year active duty USMC) can handle an ar like a god. Why change it? Maybe a better caliber (308, 300) but i dont think a different platform is bueno.

[chillincody]

its worked for 40+ years so why change it ?

[hermosabeach]

A lot of the drawbacks to the M4 in the military is ammo

They learned years ago that green tip and FMJ is not good on people

The states that allow .223 on game, well many prohibit FMJ

If they would switch to a nice soft point boat tail, many of the failures to stop would be resolved.

The trade off with calibers is as old as the hills
9mm vs. .10mm (.40) vs 11mm (.45)

If in CQB you want a short platform.
If long range, you want a longer platform, different optics and a bullet that still is effective at long ranges

The current system seems to be working

[Fatgunman]

I saw a documentry on the military channel that said the USMC is going to switch to the HK416.

[jfifer]

I 'member my dad telling me the p90 and 5.7 would be cool so he could bring it home ahahahahha

[db42]

I'm not debating best calibers I'm just curious why the military hasn't changed to a different infantry rifle. I've herd people say that it's mostly politics because gun makers in different districts have a lot of influence.

1: It's a totally modular system with perfect mission customization.
2: Replacing the system would cost an absurd amount of money.
3: Accessories designed for the AR platform might not work on new platforms.

It would be such a pain to replace it all, it's just not worth switching.

I saw a documentry on the military channel that said the USMC is going to switch to the HK416.

Which is no more than a plastic AR.

There was talk of the SCAR being utilized by a few units, but I don't think that ever panned out.

[BajaJames83]

The HK 416 replaced the SAW for the marine corps.

[Wallabing]

M4/M16 as of right now is very modular because of the rails. I think that's whats keeping it around.

[Steve_In_29]

The HK 416 replaced the SAW for the Marine Corps.

Fixed it for you.

[Exodus343]

The M27 IAR replaced the SAW for the Marine Corps.

FIFY

my friend runs the IAR

[Steve_In_29]

I saw a documentry on the military channel that said the USMC is going to switch to the HK416.

Which is (on the surface at least) a HUGE step backwards in fire power but I have had some wink-wink, nudge-nudge conversations with Marine Corps Officers that imply the IAR might just be a backdoor way to replace the Corps ARs after the SCAR was cancelled due to budget cutting in the wake of the war draw down.

The Corps (in a joint project with the Army) is STILL working on a next generation SAW replacement that uses caseless ammo (Marines) and plastic cased ammo (Army). The Army's version is almost production ready while the Corps is still looking at several years of development for theirs (mostly to perfect the ammo).

With the weight savings from a lighter weapon and ammo the new SAW would save 19(?)lbs (Army) and 25lb (Marine) from the combat load of a SAW gunner.

The Corps is always planning way ahead and was the first service to field the M16A2 because of it.

[shakes88]

It's been said multiple times, and probably the most accurate answer.. $$$$

[Claybone]

I saw a documentry on the military channel that said the USMC is going to switch to the HK416.

Sounds to good to be true lol the corps = stingy. The marines had just phased out the mp5 for our CQB teams when i was in due to slow repair turn around from H&K and not wanting to allow our armores certified training.

[Claybone]

Which is (on the surface at least) a HUGE step backwards in fire power but I have had some wink-wink, nudge-nudge conversations with Marine Corps Officers that imply the IAR might just be a backdoor way to replace the Corps ARs after the SCAR was cancelled due to budget cutting in the wake of the war draw down.

The Corps (in a joint project with the Army) is STILL working on a next generation SAW replacement that uses caseless ammo (Marines) and plastic cased ammo (Army). The Army's version is almost production ready while the Corps is still looking at several years of development for theirs (mostly to perfect the ammo).

With the weight savings from a lighter weapon and ammo the new SAW would save 19(?)lbs (Army) and 25lb (Marine) from the combat load of a SAW gunner.

The Corps is always planning way ahead and was the first service to field the M16A2 because of it.

My neighbor just got back from the 31st MEW. As as a boot he was issued an IAR. So they are in full effect. The specialized units still rock the para-SAW.