The Corps' quest for the best rifle for infantrymen

[Clem72]

I'd still prefer 5.56 to 9mm in an urban setting. Lotta walls to shoot through sometimes and not because 5.56 is ideal for that but it is better than 9mm. yeah or nay?

I don't know, there are definitely advantages to the 9mm. Check out this video of a 9mm vs ballistics gel. http://i.imgur.com/y3rsxDJ.gifv

 

[Larry Gude]

I don't know, there are definitely advantages to the 9mm. Check out this video of a 9mm vs ballistics gel. http://i.imgur.com/y3rsxDJ.gifv

True, there are times when you merely may want to stun the target. Hadn't really thought of that.

 

[itsbob]

I don't know, there are definitely advantages to the 9mm. Check out this video of a 9mm vs ballistics gel. http://i.imgur.com/y3rsxDJ.gifv

The kinetic transfer of energy was very high...

Penetration no so much.

 

[black dog]

Well, as an M60 gunner I carried 500 rounds of 7.62 while my assistant gunner carried an additional 500 rounds (or more) plus the spare barrel.

Combat load for an infantryman is 180 rounds (6 30 round magazines), so 500 - 1000 rounds v 180...

Wouldn't be too much to ask (if you have a 7.62 Automatic Rifle) for others to share the load as well.. like they do with a Man Portable Mortar.. Everyone short of the RTO and Medic each carry 2 rounds or more.

AND like somebody mentioned above.. what's the weight difference between an AR-15 and an AR-10??

Well Bob, my post really had nothing to do with the amount that a ground pounder carry's.
My point was there is a huge difference in weight between 5.56 and 7.62 ammunition.
How did you carry that 500 rounds of belted ammo? In 100 Rd cardboard bandos, plain belts, in cans? What model of Pig did you carry?
Just curious, that's a good load along with a full Alice.

Weights between the two, A M4 comes in under 8 lbs if I remember correctly without optics and ammo.
With a AR10 you easily can add 2 to 5 lbs without optics and ammo depending on model of rifle.