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Subject: The XM8, why??
mudshark    4/2/2004 11:02:10 AM
America is spending lots of cash on the XM8 which is essentially a G36 as far as I can see. Why didn?t they go with the G36? Reliability and longevity are probably the main justifications for a new rifle. But the G36 has all that, so if some clever chap can enlighten me I will stop scratching my head like a confused chimp.
 
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   RE:the xm8 why??   4/2/2004 1:36:44 PM
"Spending lots of cash?" The unit is dirt cheap - cheaper than a similarly equipped M16..
 
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mudshark    RE:the xm8 why??   4/3/2004 12:12:52 AM
yes i know the xm8 is as cheap as chips but so is the g36 why the re`design it seem`s purely cosmetic?
 
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Mark F    RE:the xm8 why??   4/3/2004 6:32:46 AM
Because the G36 was designed to a German operational requirement. The United States Army has different operational requirments.
 
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Horsesoldier    RE:the xm8 why??   4/3/2004 6:50:19 AM
One notable difference is the American preference for a variable position, telescoping, rather than folding, stock. The guts are basically similar, I think, and then the XM8 has that plastic carrier/molding which is just cosmetic. Are the basic optics different? Seems like I've read that somewhere.
 
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mudshark    RE:the xm8 why??   4/3/2004 8:23:43 AM
Thanks for the help chaps but still no definitive answer I have seen video footage of the xm8 kicking off and it looks a little cumbersome Maybe it?s got to do with national identity This was a suggestion why the brits went with the sa80 instead of going for the tried and tested m16 Still scratching my head
 
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Heorot    RE:the xm8 why??   4/3/2004 11:43:38 AM
"Maybe it?s got to do with national identity" Well maybe, but it may also be the fact that the SA80 was first developed in the early 70's. At that time the M16 was widely seen as a piece of unfreliable junk whose shortcomings were the cause of many deaths in Vietnam. There was a stong movement in America at the time to get the M16 scrapped. By the time the M16 became a reliable weapon, the money had already been spent in developing the SA80. The Army didn't really want the SA80 but the politicians did. As usual, the politicians won the arguments. Who pays the piper calls the tune!
 
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mudshark    RE:the xm8 why??   4/3/2004 1:31:29 PM
I didn?t know that the conception of the sa 80 started that early I read somewhere that the politicians where afraid that Briton would be seen more and more as Americas loyal dog if it adopted the m16?..or something along those lines It all seems a implausible to me but hell who knows what goes on in theses people?s minds It looks like the g36 is making a bid to become one of cheapest lightest most reliable assault rifle ever seen. I think im right in saying that even china has got a few So we can expect copies flying out all over the world ?.. Maybe Good by ak`s and m16`s the enemy will have the same gun as you Im clutching at straws here .almost certainly off target But the xm8 g36 thing is bugging the hell out of me
 
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Vossiewulf    Naming conventions   4/3/2004 9:41:41 PM
Where do the designations for our infantry weapons come from? We're replacing (one assumes) the M-16 from 30 years ago with something called the M-8, while a variation of the M-16 is the M-4. Meanwhile the OICW is called the XM-25, but there's already a sniper rifle that's designated M-25. Is there a dartboard someplace in the Pentagon that someone throws at to generate new systems designations?
 
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mudshark    RE:Naming conventions   4/4/2004 3:53:13 AM
Ok here?s an idea on the naming of weapons Given that McDonalds is synonymous with American culture and that the military is trying different ways of recruiting. Let?s do some mutual advertising The m16 becomes the quarter pounder M249 ?. The big mac Chicken nuggets grenades M16 203 quarter pounder with fries Strawberry milk shake air support? etc..etc? I will leave you lot run with the idea The recruit is already familiar with the designations and feels comfortable McDonald?s then sacks Ronald and employs g.i joe. I hate clowns!!!!!! Mad maybe? Radical?? Definitely They said I was mad when I suggested lining helmets with immac hair remover to save time and money on hair cuts but it would have worked damn it!!
 
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TriggaFingaz    Naming conventions for M4   4/4/2004 5:38:57 AM
The M4 Carbine is so called becoz it is a continuation of the .30 cal M1 Carbine, fully auto M2 Carbine, and IR scope equipped M3 Carbine. The M1, M2 and M3 are all the same apart from the selective capability or night gear, the M4 is of course not related to them.
 
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