I couldn't agree more. Even if we change the time to "Twilight: 2020" I dont see the M-16/M-4 family being replaced. There are multiple calibers on the market (6.8, 6.5, 6mm, .30 shadow (?), ect.) that have varying degrees of potential but I dont see 5.56 getting replaced. I do not see anything significant in the future to replace the platform. The FN SCAR and the Remington/Bushmaster weapons are not that much of an evolution to warrant replacing the M-16/M-4. Even the gas inpingment system of the M-16/M-4 still works. Sure its dirty but with proper care it works fine.
Thats just my 2 cents.
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Originally Posted by Tegyrius
This. Much as I agree with the political reasons, it'll come down to logistics. No other rifle design would have the available tooling, blueprints/TDP, and base of recruitable/draftable civilian gunsmiths that the AR-15 platform has. Even with all available supplies being shipped to deployed troops aboard all available transport, you're still going to have significant quantities of 5.56x45mm in stockpiles that couldn't be moved for lack of fuel, personnel, or vehicles.
I also don't see a switch to a heavier or different caliber. A cartridge of 5.56x45mm simply takes a smaller physical quantity of resources to produce than a heavier round.
Now, moving past the standard service rifle, I can see a lot more variance in designated marksman and sniper weaponry. It may not entirely work from a strict prewar regulatory perspective, but I can see a general attitude (or even a change to regs) of "if you can qualify with it and keep it reliable and fed, you can use it" for troops in that role. From a gaming perspective, that opens the door for a lot of sniper or hunting rifles that aren't standard issue but players might like to use anyway.
- C.
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