Leaked Report Points To Accuracy, Reliability Issues With The Marine Corps' Newest Rifles

[rangerrebew]

Leaked Report Points To Accuracy, Reliability Issues With The Marine Corps' Newest Rifles
The review notes truncated test points and risky assumptions, raising questions about the M27 and M38 rifles, especially when using suppressors.
By Joseph TrevithickMay 4, 2018


The U.S. Marine Corps continues to push ahead with plans to make Heckler and Koch’s M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle the service’s standard infantry weapon, as well as the platform for a new designated marksman rifle called the M38. At the same time, a test report has surfaced that raises concerns about whether the M38 is accurate enough to perform in that role and whether either of the weapons will work reliably with sound suppressors.

TheFirearmBlog.com obtained the Marine Corps Systems Command report and posted a copy online in April 2018. The document is marked 2015 and “For Official Use Only,” but clearly states that it covers evaluations that ran through 2016, suggesting the cover date may be a typo. The test specifically evaluated the M38, which the Marines identified at the time as the “M27 Special Purpose Rifle,” but many of the data points apply equally to both weapons.

http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/20632/leaked-report-points-to-accuracy-reliability-issues-with-the-marine-corps-newest-rifles

[Elderberry]

Members of Congress have openly questioned the wisdom of the Marines desire to rapidly buy thousands more of the guns without holding an open competition, especially to a foreign-headquartered firm.

At the end of April 2018, the service issued its latest sole-source deal with Germany-based Heckler and Koch’s American subsidiary for up to 15,000 more M27s and spare parts. That contract could be worth nearly $30 million.

There should be an open competition for the rifle. But they should first decide whether they should stay with the .223. Or is it now time to step up to a larger caliber, such as 6.5 or 7mm.