Opinion
Ft Collins, CO –-(Ammoland.com)- Caliber Controversy!
After decades of piously assuring us the 5.56×45 round was “adequate” for military purposes, despite mounting complaints (unsatisfactory range and penetration), dating back to Vietnam, the Pentagon has apparently finally changed its mind.
In spite of a dreary series of failed “wonder bullets” that have, every few years, come forth to “upgrade” the 5.56 round, faith that the 5.56 can ever be “adequate” is fading!
Just as the Marines are buying the HK 416 (M27), a gas-piston AR (in 5.56×45 caliber), to replace aging M4s, Congress and the Army are putting the breaks on that project.
After fifty years of pointless hope that the 5.56×45 round might really be “adequate,” a new, bigger military caliber may now be about to make its debut!
When the AR (in 5.56×45 caliber) first reared its head, and garnered the attention of then Secretary of Defense McNamara, it was slated to gradually replace only the M1 Carbine, never the M1 Garand, later the short-lived M14.
The M1 Carbine, manufactured by the millions during WWII, was originally intended only for rear-area defense and police actions. It was never intended to be a front-line, battle rifle, although it eventually found its way into every corner of the campaign during WWII and Korea.
When I was in Vietnam in 1968, M1 Carbines were still around in large numbers. I saw (and used) plenty of them.
Yet, the AR (in 5.56×45 caliber) somehow eventually became the main, battle rifle of all US Forces, and remains in that status to this day. This, despite continuous misgivings about its adequacy that have been desperately voiced since Vietnam.
Up until now, the Pentagon as assured us that these qualms about adequacy were all in our imaginations!
That is apparently about to change.
Of course, the Pentagon will never admit they’ve been wrong all this time. They’ll simply say “It’s time to move on.”
It was “time to move on” fifty years ago!
Stay tuned!
/John
About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor John Farnam will urge you, based on your own beliefs, to make up your mind in advance as to what you would do when faced with an imminent lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance if any. Defense Training International wants to make sure that their students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or in-actions.
It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to the Planet Earth. Mr. Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com
nice post https://essaypapers.reviews/
“breaks on that project”
BRAKES.
There is no such object as a “break”. Not on a car, a muzzle, or something in motion. It’s not a noun.
all of a sudden got to have english lit degree to squeeze the trigger … and LOOK good doing it.
maybe that looking better part is why they opt’d to allow efeminates on the battlefront
@RattlerJake…. OMG! Even MORE information to support my RESEARCH! We forgot all about U.S. Air Force’s Lemay! https://www.nrablog.com/articles/2017/9/remembering-the-air-force-general-who-helped-usher-in-the-m16-rifle/
But in ALL honesty, I MUST INQUIRE…. Just WHO gave YOU all of your, “worldly knowledge” on the birth of the M-16 Rifle?
for libtard gun-control d-suckers: i carry a fully semi-automatic “defense” pistol, you useless, stupid mf’s.
Gregory: That’s funny,….I have been shooting my 300 Blackout with 223 mags for years now without any problem. ……… Am I just lucky?
.224 VALKERIE!! GO!!! 90gr 1000yd. DEATH!!
{NO new LOWERS needed – only UPPERS).
Somebody been watching way too many Tom Berenger: Sniper movies. Snipers do not win battles or wars. Overwhelming force, the best tactics and strategy and the most advanced tech & equipment does however when properly applied.
Teach your people one shot one kill, you won’t need to carry 1000’s of rounds. The 308 in AR platform works just fine.
The ‘AR’ platform rifles will not be dismissed immediately. They will be phased out. America’s new rifle WILL BE a cartridge-less weight reduced multi-barreled rifle platform that will maximize projectiles carried and fired per trigger pull while incorporating state-of-the-art accessories. The caliber will be between 6.5 and 6.8, favoring the 6.5. Bullet weights will be between 90 – 140. Most likely they will settle on a 115 – 130grn projectile speed of 3100 – 3400 fps for both long range, amour piercing and specialty H/E applications (including in/on projectile guidance systems). Rifles and pistols will use the same calibers. Servicemen… Read more »