Something I wrote a year or so back on another forum:
I'll preface this post by saying this: None of what I'm outlying indicates any sort of, 'deal breaker' for the AR/M-16 by any means so please do not construe it as such.
Now if we're talking actual improvements to the system itself as opposed to solely add-on stuff (or bullshit like piston conversions), there are a couple things that could be done:
Increase extractor size.
Maybe 30% larger or so (knee-jerk. Let some engineers actually do the math). As we shorten the barrel (and more importantly, the gas system), extractor tension becomes more paramount due to the increased violence of the action. New inserts and springs help this greatly but if we increased the overall size of the extractor we wouldn't need add-on's. For those that are going to naysay Stoner for having the extractor it does, remember that when he developed the system it was around a 20" barrel with a rifle length gas system.
Adjustable or Self-Regulating gas port (preferably the latter).
Would also quash any sort of issues that shorter gas systems have introduced. Gas port erosion has been referred to by some as a, 'self regulating' issue because as the gas port erodes it also traps more carbon, mitigating the issue somewhat. Still isn't enough since the ROF can increase by nearly 50% on older rifles as opposed to new ones.
Ambidextrous controls standard.
The KAC SR-15 series does this very well. Instead of a bunch of add-on crap they actually have it built into the receiver design. As it stands: boutique rifle. I invariably advocate left hand shooters learn to deal with a right hand rifle without any added crap but if it were standard then there wouldn't be any need for, 'work arounds'
Better, stronger, standard buttstock.
Looks like the Marine Corps might be going in the right direction with this one. In times of plate carriers and other shit it's really needed.
Higher quality BUIS.
nuff' said.
Free Floating Rail System.
Yes, some specific rifles (such as the SAM-R) come equipped with free-floating rail systems but I'd like to see them across the board. One of the reasons this isn't implemented now is because most FF rails preclude mounting an M203 launcher anywhere near to the bore of the rifle (even with the non-FF tubes, it ain't exactly super-close). Maybe give the armorers a little more work and have them switch out rail systems if a rifle is going to have an M203 mounted.
Eliminate any, 'Burst' FCG
Burst FCG = shitty trigger. Stick to standard FA FCG's.
Ambidextrous charging handle and/or forward CH
The entire reason why the CH is where it is on the AR/M-16 is because the design initially included a CH underneath the carry handle. The design proved to be a weak point so the CH was moved to the rear. Better ergonomics = faster manipulations (assuming the same amount of training.)
Decrease in number of locking lugs and increase in physical size
Ala' FN SCAR, not Sig556
Heavier Barrel
..some people, especially trendy people, won't like this one...
More sling attachment points
Would allow for a greater variety of slings. Somewhat self-explanatory.
Better BCG/internal coating
Yah yah, we all know I advocate FailZero. However, many coatings are better than the standard we currently have, namely: Ion-bonding, hard chrome, or FZ. They allow for stretching of lubrication.
RFIDs
No, not adding anything electronic that the weapon depends on to run. Rather, RFIDs that count number of rounds through the weapon. A separate system would allow for annotations when parts failed and/or were replaced. This would allow for us to be something that most units are never about weapons maintenance: Proactive. It's a novel idea which means that big army will likely ignore it 
Anyone else notice that, 'gas piston!!!!' wasn't part of the list? Once again, I reiterate that nothing I outlined above means that the AR/M-16 is anything less than a good, capable weapons system. None of it. If I were starting from scratch, knowing what we know today, the above are things I would change and/or implement.
Last edited by Dave_M; 06-01-11 at 02:19.
Dave Merrill
Terrible Technical Writer. Awful Photographer. Lazy Instructor. Kind of a dick.
Loves Tacos.
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