Replacing the SAW

[Manong0369]

Just wanted to know your opinion on the four candidates that will replace the M249 SAW within the Infantry squad and LAR scouts teams in the Marine Corps. This was from the February edition of the Marine Corps Times. The switch is to try and make the automatic rifleman within the squad more mobile with a "smaller, more accurate, easier to employ" weapon.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/02/marine_newsaw_020109w/

[Requiem]

I think the best candidates are the cheaper ones... IE not the HK and not the FNH

[tyrist]

Not exactly sure how any of those replace a SAW. Basically using an automatic rifle as a light machine gun.

[armygunsmith]

I don't think it will happen any time soon unless a better belt fed comes along. I'm a big fan of the SAW, except when I got stuck with it on a hump. Make it better by changing caliber or making it ligher or both.

[Manong0369]

Not exactly sure how any of those replace a SAW. Basically using an automatic rifle as a light machine gun.

The SAW is classified as light machine gun. I the thinking behind replacing the M249 allows the automatic rifleman, who would use the M249, the ability to move with the fire team/squad on an assault. The M249 was harder to haul while you bounded during the movement, making the weapon unwieldy.

[uzigalil]

The idea is so the Saw gunner is no longer targeted by the enemy.

[kermit315]

whats the difference between the above and a standard M16A4 except for the rails and colors.

Seems they just want to get rid of the SAW. I dont see those as any different than the standard M16 except, as I mentioned, the colors and rails.

[Manong0369]

I don't think it will happen any time soon unless a better belt fed comes along. I'm a big fan of the SAW, except when I got stuck with it on a hump. Make it better by changing caliber or making it ligher or both.

I hated hiking the SAW. Got better as I picked up rank/billet though. One of the reasons that the M60 was replaced was due to the caliber issue. Having the same caliber within the squad makes it easier to keep the SAW UP and running. Not to say that using M16 mags worked all that will. The SAW will not be taken out of service completely, but just given to those in other MOS's.

[Manong0369]

I am one of those that like the amount of fire that the SAW can lay down. It feels good to have "talking guns" supporting your movement on an objective. However, I remember getting to the objective dragging a##.

[mattman]

What about the spare barrel? I don't see how the heat sink is gonna dump all that heat.

[Maddog5150]

Why replace something belt fed? I thought the idea of the saw was to lay scunion down in a cone of death with belt fed action. Something mag fed with only 30 rounds wouldnt give as much suppression fire. two belts with the SAW is 400 rounds. A serviceman would have to carry over 13 mags for the equivilent.

[Requiem]

Why replace something belt fed? I thought the idea of the saw was to lay scunion down in a cone of death with belt fed action. Something mag fed with only 30 rounds wouldnt give as much suppression fire. two belts with the SAW is 400 rounds. A serviceman would have to carry over 13 mags for the equivilent.

That ain't so absurd. Some SOF units' SOP is in that number area. Then again... that's not the point.

[UncleSamsMisguidedChild]

I thought I heard that they already replaced the SAW with a HK48 that fired 7.62 because it has more stopping power and penetration than the 5.56. Infantry guys were complaining that the SAW would only knock the enemy down, but would get back up and run off so they went with the larger caliber. Also dont we still use the 240G?

[Requiem]

Also dont we still use the 240G?

Yes. usually mounted. I'm not sure if 11's carry it, but I'm pretty sure 31's do.

[Manong0369]

One of the reasons that we switched from the M60 to the SAW was to keep the same caliber within the squad. Remember that the SAW can also be fired using regular GI M16 mags. The use of a M16-like automatic rifle makes the movement of the fire teams more fluid and less restrictive. You have probably used a SAW other in ITB or MCT and you know how hard it is to do individual rushes without passing out. Range 400 at CAX was murderer on my SAW gunners.