USMC to get rid of M249?

[cyclone]

Having fondled a Stoner LMG at the KAC plant, I would really like to see it compete for the C9 replacement. It was light (Lighter than my AR10 unloaded) and you could barely tell the thing had been fired, even though it apparently had over 500 000 rounds through it.

It was a beautiful weapons-system.....

 

[Fenix.NZ]

Or maybe they could have saved a lot of money and upgrade the SAW as we did (and US Army) with the C9..

Folding stock, or retractable stock, vertical foregrip, rails, short barrel (while keeping the long barrel for when it's required), various other crap

...

dont the marines designate that the MK48 ? or is it MK49

 

[Waynetheman]

So where do I get in line for a mil surplus m249?

 

[Gunnerlove]

Shooting the enemy worked well for the Finns against the Russians.

 

[Juster]

Shooting the enemy worked well for the Finns against the Russians.

In the Winter war, where the Finns lost?

 

[shredder]

In the Winter war, where the Finns lost?

Only because they were outnumbered about 8 to 1.

Add in the fact that the Soviets simply didn't give a rat's ass about their casualties and it's no wonder they won the Winter War of 39-40.

 

[Mattrob]

Funny thing is that the Brits basically tried this back in the 80's with the Light Support Weapon concept and it was a failure. Not enough covering fire getting to the enemy based on a "souped up" L85 design. The only just recently went to the M249 instead, and turned the LSW rifles into designated marskman weapons.

 

[Gunnerlove]

The Finns stopped the Russian army. Against a better equipped force with 4 times the troops and far better equipment they inflicted 40-1 casulties, killing or wounding one third of all Russians who crossed the border.

They lost 11% of their land but kept their country. Sometimes you win by not losing everything.

 

[Juster]

The other thing, infantry foot patrols in Urban Belfast would leave the GPMG in the armoury and carry rifles. On the border they would carry a GPMG and/or an LMG.
They didn't replace the GPMG to improve mobility, they just selected the kit they need for the patrol.
Of course it is great to have a smorgasbord of kit to chose from, and it helps if you have a good story to explain the purchasing.

 

[paulz]

Funny thing is that the Brits basically tried this back in the 80's with the Light Support Weapon concept and it was a failure. Not enough covering fire getting to the enemy based on a "souped up" L85 design. The only just recently went to the M249 instead, and turned the LSW rifles into designated marskman weapons.

Beat me to it!

The Russians also tried with the RPK, but combat experience has led to those who can, putting a PKM down to the squad/section level.