If somebody wanted to really help the US Army, they would do something about those God awful M4 carbines that American troops are forced to endure.
This is a recurring theme in this blog, and I’m returning to it again because of yet more new information that sheds light on the problem with the Army’s standard-issue weapon for close-in fighting — which is exactly the kind of combat that is raging in Iraq and Afghanistan today.
In a routine acquisition notice (see this link), a US Special Forces battalion based in Okinawa announced that it is buying 84 barrels for the Heckler & Koch HK416 assault rifle.
The HK barrels will be used to replace the barrels on their own M4s.
Why? Here’s what the notice says:
The 416 barrel “allows soldiers to replace the existing M4 upper receiver with an HK proprietary gas system that does not introduce propellant gases and the associated carbon fouling back into the weapon’s interior. This reduces operator cleaning time, and increases the reliability of the M4 Carbine, particularly in an environment in which sand and dust are prevalent. The elimination of the gas tube … means that the M4 will function normally even if the weapon is fired full of water without first being drained. There isn’t another company that offers these features in their products. It is a practical, versatile system.”
Translation: the M4 barrel is so unreliable that special operations forces units need to swap it out with a barrel from a different gun — and one that actually works in real combat conditions.
One solution is to simply swap out the barrel.
But here’s another good answer: trash the M4s and just buy HK416s!
Christian adds:
For an outstanding investigative report on this issue, check out my former colleague Matt Coxs article on the bureaucratic engine that is still preventing soldiers from getting what the best soldiers in the world say is the best weapon for the fight.
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i like H&K 416 rifle its accurate and reliable and durable in against water dust and heat thanks to H&K
H&K its durable against heat water and dust thanks H&K more power.
H&K its durable against heat water and dust thanks H&K more power.
Just use the Barrett 6.8 Round and the H&K 416. Cost cheep and we need Rifels not Jets And Ships.And what does booming do? its on the ground and in the Mt. and caves they are in.Look at the boombs we droped in WWII and V.N. The Bang for the Buck was not good. It cost us lives as well, because the ground troops are left with out dated equipment. And In WWII they had the Tommy Gun and didn’t give it out for fear of Germans getting it and copying it.I guess they still fell that.I didn’t like the M-16 in Vien except for the weight.But it malfunctioned to often and had to fuss with it to often.
I like this rifle i just wish i had one myselfe for my home and to go out and just have fun with it on the shooting range. nice job men love it.
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I never trusted the m16/m4 while in. I kept it immaculate and it would still jam from time to time. Combat in the desert would be a nightmare. Give me an m14 with the EBR stock or the new Troy MCS stock anyday until the figure out what is next. I would have preferred an AK with some of the new accessories and attachments that are out today over at M16/ M4 based systems. I hope the next rifle is in 6.5 or 6.8 with a piston system for relaibilty. FN Scar, Bushy ACR, Robinson , HK416/417 or something like those. We need to give the ground pounders the best available.
“Nunquam non Paratus”
>(But here’s another good answer: trash the M4s and just buy HK416s!)it’s a damn shame this guy is a american! he sounds like a germany arms dealer ready to sell his country out at a blink of eye, hav’nt you got any american pride the m4 m16 is american icon you bum colt/armalite or any american gun maker can make the same gun but better i think than the 416
The first priority is to get a reliable weapon to our soldiers. The M16/M4 needs to go. You can keep that thing as clean as possible and lubed but it will still fail.
The design is terribly old. Every other miltary has replaced their rifles in the 40 years since the M16 has been around. You’re telling me that there isn’t a better rifle in that time? The only reason we still have it is because that Colt and their congressional buddies have kept the cash cow going all this time.
I don’t care if the weapon is made in Germany or in the USA as long as it is the best for our troops.
Or the least expensive route would be to retrofit all of our M-16’s and M-4’s with Gas Pistons, since that is available today.
Without changing the entire rifle system and round used, Gas Piston upgrade would be the most sound thing right now.
I served 2 tours in Afghanistan in 2001 & 2002, and then served 5 tours back to back in Iraq from 203 thru 2008. Trust me when I say this, The M4 & M1‘6 are junk! I was fortunate to serve with Naval Special Warfare, and in 2004 I was allowed to use an HK-416 in 7.62x51mm Cal. The 416 functioned flawlessly every time! I jammed all the time with the M4, but I hardly had a jam with the 416! Plus, the 7.62 not only gave me knock down power, it gave me punch thru power, because I was able to shoot thru walls and kill my enemy who was trying to hide behind the concrete walls which line every house & village in Afghanistan & Iraq. The HK-416 IS the most effective weapon I have ever fought with.
The upper echelon in the Pentagon needs to stop listening to bean counter analysts and start listening to the soldiers & sailors in the field that actually have to use the weapon they are issued. To this day, I will NEVER, pick up an M4 again. I will only deploy with an HK-416 in my hands, PERIOD!