[95th Rifleman]

The US army is moving towards the M4 as a standard issue weapon instead of the M16. A shorter weapon, better suited to CQB is the preferred standard given experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm not sure about the USMC but i think they are sticking with the M16A4.

Some other countries (notably the UK, Belgium, France and Australia) have taken the bullpup route, which provides a carbine sized weapon with te barrel (and range) of a full rifle.

The L85A2 has a 20 inch barrel in a weapon that is just under 31 inches long.
The FAMAS is just under 30 inches long with a 19 inch barrel.
The AUG is 31 inches long with a 20 inch barrel.
Finaly the F2000 is 27 inches long with a 15.7 inch barrel.

Compare this to the M4 which is just under 30 inches long with a 14.5 inch barrel.

It's an interetsing and valid point to consider that the future of firearms is the bullpup configuration. FNH have proven with their F2000 that a bullpup weapon can be fully ambidextrous and with bullpup you do not have to sacrifice range and accuracy for CQB ability.

the latest L85A2's are now issude with a combined ACOG/Reflex sight so you can really have an all-purpose weapon.

I'm curious about other's views on this.