IrishCop

I figured that...but I have read that the the DRAGUNOV, the "sniper rifle" of choice, shoots about 4 MOA ... that was in several articles books by different authors. I am not saying the Taliban doesn't have some talent, but I can't believe that they are overflowing with it.

And 500 to 600 yard shots are pretty much the purview of OUR snipers, aren't they? I can't imagine anyone thinking they could make consistent hits on a six hundred yard target with an M4 and an Aimpoint or ACOG or any other optic issued to the average combat soldier.

spwenger

...not all the jihadis do spray-and-pray with the usual Kalashnikov rifles and a few - particularly in Afghanistan - are capable of making long-range shots, even with rifles more primitive than the Dragunov.

Sadly, when the M16 was adopted, it ought to have been slotted - at most - as a replacement for the M1/M2 Carbine, not as a battle rifle.

(Then there's the issue of the SCHV project but that's a whole 'nother story.)

shep854

AIUI, the insurgents use PKM-type GPMGs in long-range ambushes. Coalition patrols started carrying MAG/M249 MGs in response. Even though the 5.56 will get out there, it's about out of energy, especially from the M4's 14.5" barrel.
This is part of the call for a new rifle cartridge that, while lighter than the 7.62x51 will have better long-range performance.

William R. Moore

About royalties.......IIRC, during one of Colts trips into Chapter 11, the DOD bought the rights to the weapon and the TDP. I've got no recollection of what that cost us, but that seemed to have cut Colt out of the monetary loop except where they got contracts. If it wasn't for political pull Colt would be a fond memory of fusty old guys like many of us.

That story does seem to be a rehash of old news. SOFIK, the SOCOM folks are very happy with the HK416 (at least those who get it). The gas system on that is essentially a copy of that on the G36, so reliability should be the same. Just dropping an HK upper onto whatever lower is available would work. They also admitted that while the SCAR is nice, they don't have the budget to buy all new toys. Actually, that last is slightly wrong, FN admitted it for them.

I won't say that there was never anything wrong with the design. However, the DOD has been guilty of dragging their feet about product improvements. When the M4 was under developement, Colt told them it needed a different extractor spring and rubber insert. DOD allegedly refused to buy and stock different parts for several years, then finally caved and use the M4 spring & post on everything.