"The SIG Sauer M7 is dead. How long does the XM8 have?" Topic

"The M14 rifle replaced the venerable M1 Garand in 1957 and infamously served as the primary U.S. service rifle for only five years before it was replaced by the M16 rifle. In 2022, the Army selected the SIG Sauer XM5 rifle, later redesignated the M7, to replace the M4 carbine that evolved from the M16.

Designed to increase lethality and precision at long range, troops took issue with the M7's heavy weight and the reduced ammunition capacity of its 6.8x51mm cartridge…"

link

Armand

It's a bit heavier than the FN FAL/L1A1 you and I carried, Armand, but they weren't "too heavy" as some claim, either. If the weight's well distributed then carrying the weapon is also easier (eg the M60 as opposed to the lighter L4A4 Bren- the heavier M60 was easier to carry then the muzzle-heavy L4A4). If they want the soldiers' loads lightened then they should have a look at how many battery-operated devices they all have to carry, these days.

Thanks my friend…

Armand

When I did my stint in our Territorial Army the regulars and the infantry units had all gone over to the M16 while we engineers still used the SLR (FN FAL/L1A1). We had a go with the M16 but I actually preferred the SLR. It might have weighed more but it just felt "right" using it and having been told and read about it's "putting down" capabilities I'd much rather a one shot per hit and know whatever I hit was neutralised.