re: Soldiers Hate the M4 and M16. The Pentagon Is Finally Doing Something about It.

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For decades, troops have been complaining about the limitations of the M16 rifle and M4 carbine, both of which are hindered by the same flawed operating system that makes the weapons jam easily. But after years of ignoring small arms in favor of expensive aircraft and warships, the Pentagon is taking a long, hard look at how to give the Army 11 Bang Bangs and Marine grunts a better weapon

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They have tried this several times and still haven't found nor developed a true replacement. A true replacment is not going to happen if NATO stays committed to the 5.56. I can see an "evolved" version utilizing a mid length system and possibly even re engineer lower receiver and magazines to chamber the larger 90 grain and 100 grain 5.56 rounds. I just don't see any current weapons system that is a 5.56 caliber rifle out there there would make it worthwhile to replace the M4.