I have to say Greentips although i agree with many things you say,on thisI totally disagree.
Ever herd of the Mp43/44ST44 & St45 that is what set some standards there, that is thinking ahead. The AR has been adapted heavily over the years, it just happened to be conveniently adapted into a weapon that maintains it's longevity!
Rail systems were never apart of the basic AR variants, that came after which made the rifle system last longer! The AR rifle was not made intentionally ambidextrous, but it just worked out that way after! Not knocking Eugene by any means, but their has been many rifles that were made since that which were inherently better than the AR series, but the AR series with better parts and manufacturing have raised it to higher levels that it was never designed to do in it's inception.
I'm a huge believer in the AR type rifle!
But the G36 with the KAC rail system on either full size or the K, & C version is a great selection of rifles to choose from!
What I'm getting at is pretty simple, pick up any rifle from the 80's and compare it too today's versions of the same rifle and there is a world of difference in my mind!(This can depend on the manufacture especially for defunct rifle/ newer is better)
I think the real reason the AR is still the go to rifle is because the US still uses it, and it did set the new standard. With the improvements that have come over the years, and all the accessories that are available from so many small companies and the familiarity of the rifle,very are hard to beat. And really why drop it with new pistol grips, superior machined parts, perfected magazines(Pmags) etc etc the rifle has made it to a 21century Assault rifle! But so has the AUG/G36/HK53/33 FN Fal models with upgrades can do that too, and some have already!
But most importantly to me the 5.56/223 round i think was the most evolutionary element it brought to the table.
Just like the AK series, the AR will be around for a very longtime, simply because it has been adapted too and the US simple left no other option but to upgrade it!.
Bottom line is the AR just happens to be lucky enough to fit the role of the future land warrior by being in the right place or right army to keep it their!
The G36/ACR/SCAR/XM8 is just a product improved Sullivan/Stoner AR-18 inside a new stock & modified receiver.
The MG45/STG45/Cetme/G3 family dates back in concept to at least 1944.
The problem as I see it is that we have basically reached the design limits of the current ammunition/weapon system and we are waiting for the next technological leap.
We can tinker with the weapon & cartridge, but largely are only going to experience marginal improvements.
The 5.56 cartridge can be improved via different projectiles and propellent. A step ahead is the US Mk262 Sierra OTM cartridge, but it's caused several cascading problems.
In the major western militaries, optic sights with ballistic cams & ranging features based on the tragectory of the 62g SS109 equivalent have sent the US back to the drawing board with several competing 62g designs, hoping for improved performance without needing to change all of the sighting equipment on issue.
This is also the reason that all of the people fantasizing about an improved cartridge with a new case are doomed to be disappointed. No one can afford to change everything at this point. Changing to 6.8/6.5 et al ect. would result in a wholesale change of SAWs, LMGs, rifles, SMGs and all optics and sighting equipment currently fielded.
Also think of the logistics involved, you have to build sufficient stock of ammunition, weapons, spare parts, ect. and remove all of the obsolete equipment immediately so that it doesn't get mixed in.
Not to mention all of the retraining which has to go forward, users and maintainers.
Not able to happen at this point in time. Abandoning the AR platform for a product of marginal improvement, especially when the existing platform continues to have room for improvement is not only short sighted, but financially and functionally impossible.
