helitack32f1
01-01-2011, 02:59 AM
My son is back, on leave from his busy Army schedule for Christmas and rode around with me at work today. We stopped by the local gun shop to check out the Bushmaster ACR which he had an interest in and as it turns out, there was a guy in there checking out both versions of the ACR as well as a SCAR so they were all nicely laid out on the counter for our perusal. The resident military carbine "expert" was mentioning that the ACR had failed miserably in recent Afghanistan trials, as did the HK-416 and I believe the SCAR. Apparently where the M4 would suffer a "stoppage" that could be easily cleared, the ACR would actually jam up tight which required tools and disassembly to fix. Also pointed out was that the ACR as well as the SCAR were on average 3% more reliable but at a 30% higher price point. When I asked about the 416 he said it was the first to fail.
Now, I cannot verify these claims on line or anywhere else for that matter but it got me wondering: can the M4 ever be beat? There is now an upgrade to M4A1 status which includes a heavier barrel and full auto capability and maybe some more upgrades to the bolt to increase reliability, but can an upgraded M4 be beat on reliability, portability and price point and why does it seem as though with all the strides in technology since the inception of the M16, no one can actually beat the M4? Is it because we are lacking people with minds like Mr. John Browning and Eugene Stoner? Maybe it is because it is hard to beat a design that has been improved upon for over 40 years.
On another note, I was also inquiring about AUG style weapons as they had an actual pre-ban, imported Steyr AUG, a current Sabre Defense built Steyr as well as a couple of MSAR versions on hand and I have wanted one as long as I can remember. He stated, unequivocally, that the US will NEVER consider a bull pup design, end of story. Why not? It could be the answer to the carbine question. Any thoughts?
Now, I cannot verify these claims on line or anywhere else for that matter but it got me wondering: can the M4 ever be beat? There is now an upgrade to M4A1 status which includes a heavier barrel and full auto capability and maybe some more upgrades to the bolt to increase reliability, but can an upgraded M4 be beat on reliability, portability and price point and why does it seem as though with all the strides in technology since the inception of the M16, no one can actually beat the M4? Is it because we are lacking people with minds like Mr. John Browning and Eugene Stoner? Maybe it is because it is hard to beat a design that has been improved upon for over 40 years.
On another note, I was also inquiring about AUG style weapons as they had an actual pre-ban, imported Steyr AUG, a current Sabre Defense built Steyr as well as a couple of MSAR versions on hand and I have wanted one as long as I can remember. He stated, unequivocally, that the US will NEVER consider a bull pup design, end of story. Why not? It could be the answer to the carbine question. Any thoughts?