The inadequacies of the M4 carbine, the M16 rifle and those of 5.56x45mm ammunition are discussed in: 'The U.S. Military's M4 Carbine, M16 Rifle and 5.56mm NATO Cartridge: A National Disgrace?', by author Randy Wakeman.
It is an interesting piece. That his conclusions are true would not surprise me, I have heard many of the same inadequacies expressed by others. I am not a military buff and thus do not know how current are all of the points made (the oldest date in the article was in 2010), or in other words if the U.S. government has found it prudent to replace those arms and that ammo as the main issue to our troops. Last I heard though, the M4 and M16 are still the primary small arms issued to the men and women who serve in our military and 5.56x45mm the ammo they shoot through them. I imagine, that no matter how many times it is proven that the 5.56x45mm round is suited only as a varmint cartridge (or maybe as a poodle shooter) and that it is not best suited as a military cartridge, it will remain the cartridge of choice by the DOD as long as the under table deals continue and as long as enough payola passes hands.
A hat tip and my thanks to Charlie F for sending me that article.
All the best,
Glenn B
It is an interesting piece. That his conclusions are true would not surprise me, I have heard many of the same inadequacies expressed by others. I am not a military buff and thus do not know how current are all of the points made (the oldest date in the article was in 2010), or in other words if the U.S. government has found it prudent to replace those arms and that ammo as the main issue to our troops. Last I heard though, the M4 and M16 are still the primary small arms issued to the men and women who serve in our military and 5.56x45mm the ammo they shoot through them. I imagine, that no matter how many times it is proven that the 5.56x45mm round is suited only as a varmint cartridge (or maybe as a poodle shooter) and that it is not best suited as a military cartridge, it will remain the cartridge of choice by the DOD as long as the under table deals continue and as long as enough payola passes hands.
A hat tip and my thanks to Charlie F for sending me that article.
All the best,
Glenn B
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