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Cherry pick the TDP
We have, and have had, several threads on the minutia of the AR system, from testing, to materials, to finishes, etc. I'd like to hear people's thoughts on a "next generation" AR. Let's keep the form factor essentially identical. Changing the controls or adding levers is fine, but I really want to focus on the materials, finishes, etc. Please also say WHY you would change something, or keep something the way it is now. This isn't about adding rails or changing out the furniture.
Let's also assume DI as well. If someone wants to talk ideal piston gun then start another thread.
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Lengthen the gas system and tune it for reliability while reducing the violence of the extraction, change the barrel profile to something that makes more sense than the M4 and look at redesigning the bolt to improve service life.
Put it on a diet to see where weight could be shaved without compromising ruggedness. For example, I'd look at reducing the weight of the rails system, but not at the expense of making it fragile.
Extend the rail of the upper forward a few inches to give more room for optics without having to go with a monolithic design.
Develop a lightweight, slender, heat proof free-floating forearm.
Having a charging handle that's less awkward to operate while the rifle is shouldered might be a good change
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I'd be interested in a side charger di rifle, just to see how it performs and if it beats the hell out of some part of my body.
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Put a baked on enamel or polymer finish on the steel exterior parts. The barrel, ejection port cover and bolt assist always seem to rust. Granted, most of this can be attributed to improper cleaning practices. A smooth polymer type finish would eliminate the need to use a GP brush to scrub the dirt from these components. Pretty minor improvement that shouldn't be too controversal.
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Standardized buffer, spring and receiver extension across models whether rifle, midlength or carbine.
Standardized barrel gas port size across gas system lengths.
Adjustable gas pressure via dial/knob/screw on gas block, with intregal 'presets' for rifle, carbine, midlength, supressed, etc.
All 3 of the above would allow much greater interchangabilty of parts, cut inventory needs and allow for emergency parts swapping if neccisary.
Easily RH/LH reversable charging handle on side of carrier rather than conventional version, but only if it can be done as non~reciprocating and keep dust/debris out.
'Possibly' a secondary safety system within the trigger guard proper.
Would prefer something closer to M203 as opposed to Glock trigger though.
(ie: a separate manual device that could be left on or off at operators choice rather than always on until the trigger is pulled)
Logic behind it would be that semi/burst/auto could be pre~selected, but firing could not occur until the trigger safety was released.
Moving the the selector lever under stress would not be required and the side benifit of grip not changing at all as a result. Simply 'push/point then pull' with the forefinger.
Done properly it may not even need much if any redesign of the existing trigger but the receiver would need obvious changes.
If used as the primary safety and the selector lever safety position were eliminated, the 4 position selector lever could be revamped to still allow semi/burst/FA, but only need a 180 degree sweep to accomplish all selections.
Even further, it wouldn't require an ambi selector lever as it would be accessable right there centered in the receiver rather than on one side of the other.
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I think with modern finishes such as Ion Bond, Melonite, Nickel-Boron, NP3, etc - we should look beyond phosphate and chrome lining for both corrosion resistance and lubricity. I've been impressed with the Fail Zero BCGs and would go with Nickel Boron for the BCG - for ease of maintenance if nothing else. I'll toss it up between Ion Bond and Melonite for the barrel and chamber - but the ability to combine corrosion resistance without the accuracy penalty of the chrome lining seems beneficial.
Cold hammer forged barrel - this next generation AR is going to last longer, so the barrel should also have maximum longevity. Mid-length gas system.
Free floated handguard joined with the upper with at least the option for rail attachments. After watching the recent Daniel Defense torture test video, I'm convinced the railed handguard protected the barrel and fragile gas tube from damage that the older plastic handguards would not withstand.
Fully ambidextrous controls. This is less about accommodating lefties than the fact that we are training to fire the carbine from both shoulders. Being able to put the rifle on safe regardless of the hammer position is beneficial (HK has made this change).
Integrated folding BUIS, front and rear, for maximum optics and accessory (lights and lasers) compatibility (as well as less stuff for the troops to lose in the field).
The handguard and stock should have multiple QD points to accommodate various sling choices, body sizes and gear. QD receiver endplate ala Noveske - simply a functional improvement over the original - and a logical addition considering the modern usage of single point slings.
Time to discard the A2 flash hider in favor of something better. Maximum signature reduction should be the goal for a military rifle. Suppressor functionality should be integrated from the start. Smith-Vortex, AAC Blackout, BE Meyers have paved the trail, but the current Crane competition (Family of Muzzle Brakes and Suppressors - FMBS) will show us the way forward.
KAC is out front on many of these changes with the SR15E3.
Call this a throwback, but after seeing pictures of troops in Afghanistan carrying fully assembled cleaning rods (or rubber banding them to their rifles) in order to clear stuck cartridges, I'd like to take a page out of the Kalashnikov series and add an integrally stored full length cleaning rod to the design. Integrate this with the full length free float handguard and upper - not the barrel.
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Cold Hammer forged, nitirded, polygonally rifled barrel.
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Flow formed cobalt alloy barrels using case-telescope ammo.
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I wouldn't mind seeing something like a FDE anodized finish standard, along with more corrosion-resistant finishes on some of the steel parts as was already mentioned. I just haven't had the time or desire to paint my ARs and work doesn't want us non-snipers painting our guns, but I can't really see where a black rifle fits into a battle or tactical scenario better than something like FDE or OD.
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Start with the SR15e3(CHF barrel, ambi controls, gas system length, bolt) - This should help with controllability, life cycle and recoil management.
Turn it into a dissipater(fixed front and rear sight, rifle length hand guards) - Longer sight radius with a completely covered gas block, again should assist with weapon controllability.
Spring load firing pin - keep from deadening primers