Do you think the new XM8 rifle that the army is switching over to when they retire the M-16's looks to?

Question

futuristic?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XM8

Well it is wikipedia but at the end of the page they say the XM8 isn't dead yet so i just assumed they would be using it as a replacement for the M-16's.

Answer 1

dated information; the XM8 is deader than a door nail

Answer 2

US Army times ran an article over the XM8. After field testing it proved, basically, to be too heavy of a frame for a MBR (main battle rifle) and it was reported that we would be looking at an improved HK model of the M4. The Colt variant being too unstable in the conditions we fight in. (I.E. takes constant and sometimes simply unfeasable maintenance to keep it from malfunctioning.) Either way, I dont think we will be changing too soon due to these considerations:

US military fought and fought for a standard round to be used (NATO) so that the ammo was standardized across the board.. If you look at my M4/M16 it says 5.56 and then NATO (something, lol) So after this happened, and the Army just spent untold amounts of money buying all those Colt M4's, the odds of us getting a new weapon in the near future, IMO, are nill. As an infantryman, I have fired the M16, M4, and M14. My overall favorite was the M14. Take off the heavy wooden stocks and replace then with some polymer light weight stocks and you have a weapon with the accuracy, range, and take down power that the M4/16 lacks. The 5.56 is simply a .223 round (slightly larger than a .22) The M14 uses a 7.62. The difference here is that the 7.62 will punch through a target leaving a clean hole- the 5.56 being in size similiar to a .22 is supposed to enter and "ricochet" through the body much like the .22 does and cause enough damage to result in more kills than maiming. Although there are many times that center mass shots with the 5.56 on someone using narcotics (such as khat) can take mutiple rounds and keep on trucking, the 7.62 causes such an entry and exit wound with additional "shock" value from being hit it will drop the target. Case in point, most of our SDM's, squad designated marksman--snipers- use the M14 with an ACOG (4x scope) in urban environments.
Personally, I would rather use the 7.62 round vs. the 5.56 (.223) which most hunters on the civilian side use as a SMALL GAME round.

Answer 3

They said much the same thing about the M-16 when it replaced the M-14, even though Mr. Stoner designed the AR-10 before the M-14 was ever laid out.

The XM-8 may have got a reprieve recently--it's supposed ot be part of a new round of rifle testing.

I don't think much of the XM-8, but not because of its appearance. It's essentially an H&K G36 rifle, chambered for 5.56mm and with some fancy cowling on it. That I have no problem with. The G36 is a fine weapon. It's the rest of the package form the XM-29 project that spawned it. The XM-29 was the same rifle with a laser rangefinder/scope and a 20mm grenade laucnher. Everything computerized and automatic....

And that's the problem. It's a new attempt by the Army to whip up a gadget to solve problems that are better solved by more training.

Don't give me fancy optics, give me more range time.

Answer 4

Honestly I think it would be a hassle to switch the M-16 platform at this point during a war. It would be a serious logistics and training issue to switch to a new weapon at this point. A futuristic appearence is not the only issue with the XM8, I feel like the Fabrique national SCAR is the only viable option at this point in the war. Even then it seems like there really is no need to replace the proven M-16 and it's variants.

Answer 5

I like the looks of it, remember how many people had trouble getting used to the looks of a Glock.

Who knows if this will actually be the new rifle, I do not think that they have a decision yet.

I used an M-16 in the service, I own one and several semi automatic AR-15's, I love them but I think it is time for it and its variants to ride off into the sunset as the military main battle rifle.

Answer 6

The XM8 is a G36 in a new body; the US Army dropped it because it doesn't hold up well after extended usage (a problem that seems to be common to other HK weapons, like the G36 and the UMP); the Army is seriously considering the SCAR L/H, made by FN Herstal.

Answer 7

It isn't dead yet, but that is a heck of a jump to make between "not dead yet" and "it will replace the M16."

Because it is German made and the army didn't first go to an American company, the XM-8 is essentially doomed unless Congress starts caring mroe about soldiers' lives rather than political consequences.

Answer 8

Honestly, I don't see a replacement anytime soon. The US Military has been looking to replace the M16 for a long time now. Hopefully sooner than later.

Answer 9

most likely the HK 416 may replace the M4. The M4 already replaced the M16A2 and the Marines are using the M16A4.

Answer 10

It says that the plans for the project were cancelled. Are you sure they are switching over?