If that is the case, and I most certainly don't doubt that it may be, what is the use of the carbine receiver extension at all?
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If that is the case, and I most certainly don't doubt that it may be, what is the use of the carbine receiver extension at all?
That they're TDP specified. They can also buy you 3/4" in OAL for super-short builds... but I was still able to hit my 29.5" fits-in-a-tennis-racket-case OAL goal with the A5/ACS anyway.
I'd still like to see the A5 as the answer for an updated TDP rifle - I see no reason not to run a 16" middy with a RIS-II handguard (or similar) and just about any M4/M16 lower with VLTOR A5 as a new carbine (M16A5/M4A5), since those are basically an instant COTS answer to a product improved rifle - if new tech needs to be demonstrated, source CHF CL barrels, KAC Folding BUIS, add MOE grips, then stick a 1-6x optic on it and call it good (because it would be). Those lowers could still be run with 18"/20" precision Mk12/SAM-R uppers (just add GSSF), or equally easily with Mk18/M4A1Block2 uppers too.
It's just one of those magically stupid things that 5' tall Marines still have to qualify with an A2 stock musket in body armor when a completely better solution like the A5 system already exists.
The A2 stock being long as **** is one of the reasons we got the dumbass shoulder pad thing on the MTV that was all the way out on the outside of your strong arm bicep.
Any shooter worth his salt either took it off, or rolled it up and put it under the adjustment strap portion of the shoulder in order to keep the buttstock...in your shoulder when you're shooting.
The VLTOR A5 w/ EMOD could be installed at the unit level over the course of a few weeks (or suspend CMR reconciliation one month by a MARADMIN and there's all the time you need...) and it would cost (extremely high, retail estimate) the Marine Corps $25,000,000...or about what is spent on Ball Joints for 7 Tons on an annual basis that are never delivered by Oshkosh anyway...Even better - stop issuing ESS glasses to the tune of $100/per Marine and there's 60% of your cost right there!
Are you listening JSantoro? We know you know people in high places!
I'm 6'2" and lanky - if running an M16A4 in an MTV is right at the maximum LOP range I can put up with... there is too much fail going on.
The Corps never figured out who to even hand M4's to (basically if you're 62" or shorter, you should automatically be issued an M4. If you work exclusively out of a vehicle, you should have an M4. If you're an O4 or above, you don't need an M4.) and that's a zero cost solution. Retrofitting A5's would be a much lower cost setup, especially if that's spread out over 3-4 years. That would be much cheaper than the ESS things - at this point I only make use of the 5 sets of those I have opened up at home for lazy eyepro for biking or garage work.
Your O4 and aboves carried M4s? Sea story time...
I remember a salty, angry, bitter Sergeant who had been recalled back. He was in Fallujah in '04 and hated everyone on earth. He walked up to a female MEF Major at our COP one day and said "Excuse me, ma'am, we are outside the wire. Where is your service weapon?"
She then proceeded to lift up her blouse, but couldn't get it up enough due to her MTV being in the way, laughed, and said "It's in there somewhere." (It was on an OWB holster on her trousers)
The Sgt, visibly upset, shook his head, turned around and yelled "What in the **** did they need back me for?!?!"
We most certainly are still in good shape making unqualified recommendations for the A5 system.
http://i1328.photobucket.com/albums/...psf2ed6444.jpg
While my sample size is by no means large, I fired over 100 rounds of Gemtech subsonic unsuppressed through a 9" AAC upper with an A5 buffer today and it cycled every round flawlessly and locked back every time.
The amount (or lack of) recoil with subsonics unsuppressed in an A5 buffer is ridiculous. It's almost like shooting a .22 conversion kit.
Would I want an A5 buffer that is close to the weight of a rifle buffer? i.e. a rifle buffer is 5.2oz and an A5H2 is 5.33oz......is the A5H2 the one I want?
Reason I ask is that I shot my new build with the standard A5 buffer that came with the kit (IIRC it weighs like 3.8oz). While it cycled fine and was ejecting to roughly 4 o'clock, there was a ring worn around the finish on the face of the buffer after the 70+ rounds I fired (all 5.56mm loads, no .223).