new rifle

[crash1988]

Are they really coming out with a new service rifle?

[gunga55]

The M4 is slowly replacing the M16 however there is another rifle in the works I do not remeber off hand what it is called.

[V8403]

this is all I can find on any new rifle for the Marine Corps. hope it helps.

New Marine Corps Sniper Rifle


M-40A3

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, CA -- Marine snipers have found a new best friend. The Marine Corps has upgraded the old sniper rifle, the M-40A1, replacing it with a new and improved rifle.
The M-40A3 will fully replace the M-40A1 by October 2004, said Staff Sgt. Jesse L. Bier, the project and field officer with 1st Marine Division.
"Because of the fact only 30 rifles are produced every month, and with a limited amount of scopes, it'll take a while to fully replace the old rifle," Bier said.
Each rifle is hand-built by precision weapons repairmen at Weapons Training Battalion in Quantico, Va., according to the according to Staff Sgt. James Knight, a sniper section repairman at Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico, Va. Beir added the old rifles are being sent back to Quantico for disassembly.
The M-40A3 was tested in 1996 and was finally issued as an official Marine Corps weapon in 2000, Bier added.
During the rifle testing, surveys showed shooters enjoyed greater accuracy and increased comfort.As with the M-40A1, the M-40A3 is a bolt-action, manually operated, magazine-fed, air-cooled, shoulder-fired weapon with an optical scope.
However, the M-40A3 has an adjustable cheek piece and recoil pad on the butt stock, giving the shooter the chance to position the weapon more comfortably.
It's designed to shoot beyond 1,000 yards, according to Lance Cpl. Gunther Johnston, an armorer with 1st Recon Bn. It uses special rounds - the M118LR, chambered in 7.62mm. The M-40A3 uses the rail system, allowing snipers to change out a fixed 10-power scope for an ANPVS-10 night scope.
"Unlike the M-40A1, the M-40A3 has a mount rail like the M-4, which allows you to attach different units to it," said Sgt. Steven D. Lovell, team leader with 1st Recon Battalion's B Company. "It's great for patrolling urban areas as well."
The day scope allows a sniper to see up to 800 meters; the night scope allows 600 meters.



The rifle is built on a fiberglass stock with a stainless- steel barrel, a steel floor plate and trigger-guard assembly. The magazine box holds five rounds. Additional enhancements include six quick-detach sling swivel mounts and a removable, swivel bipod.
"The M-40A1 has helped out the Marine Corps for a long time, but I'm glad we finally improved it," Johnston said.
Still, the new rifle comes with some drawbacks. For one, it's heavier. The new rifle outweighs the old by 2 pounds.
Some shooters still like the old rifle.
"I'd rather shoot the M-40A1," said Sgt. Andrew C. Giermann, a reconnaissance and surveillance instructor with I Marine Expeditionary Force. "It's lighter than the M-40A3, making it much easier to maneuver."
"The M-40A3 is more of a defense weapon," said Staff Sgt. Van Seelay, chief reconnaissance and surveillance instructor with I MEF. "It's basically a bench-rest weapon, and the M-40A1 is an offensive weapon because it's a lot easier to employ."
The increased weight, though, hasn't hampered the rifle's performance. Johnston said most snipers prefer the M-40A3 because of the upgraded comfort.
"The new stock is very easy on the shoulder when firing, and the adjustable cheek piece is good too," Seelay added.
Giermann, too, said there are things to like about the rifle. Despite loving the rifle with which he learned his trade, he's warming up to the new weapon.
"I like the fact that the M-40A3 has a bipod," Giermann said. "It's much more stable while firing."




http://www.snipercentral.com/images/M40A31.jpg

Caliber 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Win) Length 44.25" (1124mm) Weight 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) Barrel Schneider Match Grade SS #7 Barrel Length 24 inches (610mm) Trigger Weight 3 to 5 pounds Magazine Capacity 5 rounds Sight Unertl 10x with Mil-Dots and BDC Stock McMillan Tactical A4 Max Effective Range 1000 yards (915 meters)

In 1996 the USMC started on the design for the replacement of the M40A1, the result was the M40A3. It uses a remington 700 short action, with a steel floorplate assembly and trigger guard built by D.D. Ross. The Unertl rings and bases have been replaced with D.D. Ross base and G&G Machine rings. The rifles also come with a harris bipod and an accessory rail, also built by G&G Machine. The stock is a new McMillan A4, with adjustable cheek and length of pull. As the M40A1's rotate in for service and repair, they are replaced by M40A3's. All M40A3s are built by USMC armorers at Quantico Virginia. The M40A3 is an outstanding replacement for the aging M40A1's. The rifles are extremely accurate, very rugged, and are designed from the ground up to be a superb sniper rifle. Combined with the new M118LR ammo, it makes a system that is ranked with the best in the world.

[gunga55]

I have seen a couple things on the M40A3 looks like just an awesome weapon. like to pick one up to hunt rabbits with. (can't hunt with a 105 in Michigan)

[Trapper]

These are the new sniper rifles, right? The M4 is pretty much taking over for the M16, right, but still staying at 5.56? I personally think we could use a 7.62 regular service rifle, but that is just me.

[lima33doc]

The last time I heard, the M4 is just taking over as a short range weapon, basically just replacing/enhancing the M9. The M40 is the Sniper Rifle. I agree that we do need a 7.62 service rifle. It needs to not just be in the 240G and be in an M16. I know that Armalite make an AR-10, which is a .308 version, so there should be no reason they can make a 7.62 version.

[gunga55]

It is either the M4 or the other rifle that can be changed quickly out to 7.62. A module design that can be set up for what every the mission requires.

[nightwolf]

Lima33doc was right about the M4 replacing the M9 however that is for Officer Ranks only.

Last I heard the HK 416 and the SCAR were still being tested for replacing the M16A4 as a service rifle. Also, I agree with trapper on the 7.62mm replacement but I dont think there is much chance of that happening if a Democrat is elected president.
However, I reckon if McCain were elected he would support a change for the Service rifle to change the bullet-size as he is a veteran himself so I think he could relate to that.

[lima33doc]

Limadoc33 was right about the M4 replacing the M9 however that is for Officer Ranks only.

Last I heard the HK 416 and the SCAR were still being tested for replacing the M16A4 as a service rifle. Also, I agree with trapper on the 7.62mm replacement but I dont think there is much chance of that happening if a Democrat is elected president.
However, I reckon if McCain were elected he would support a change for the Service rifle to change the bullet-size as he is a veteran himself so I think he could relate to that.
Actuually, that is not entirely correct. Docs are getting the M4 instead of the M9, Crew served weapon carrying Marines are getting the M4, as are some SNCO's. It is not JUST for the Officers.

[nightwolf]

Actuually, that is not entirely correct. Docs are getting the M4 instead of the M9, Crew served weapon carrying Marines are getting the M4, as are some SNCO's. It is not JUST for the Officers.

Ah, right. That article from the Marine Corps Times is coming back to me now.

[V8403]

I hope this information here answers the question .

after a little searching and a little help from nightwolf with his answer of
"Ah, right. That article from the Marine Corps Times is coming back to me now." I found the following.

Camp Lejeune Tests New M16A4 Rifle

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/marineweapons/a/m16a4.htm

[gunga55]

That was from 10/03 does the entire Marine Corps have that rifle now? anybody know.

[grunt0311]

i know i read some stuff from kac that some snipers were going to the kac sr25 308 because they could get a faster follow up shot on multipul targets compaired to the bolt guns.

[V8403]

From what I can find right now which you can read up on here might answer your question it is the most up to date I can find.

MARINE CORPS WEAPONS & VEHICLES

Sea Power (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3738), Jan 2007 (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3738/is_200701)



http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3738/is_200701/ai_n18736783

[Davidncf]

The Marines have the M-16A4 and the M-4 here in Iraq in great numbers, you hardly ever see any Marines with a M-16A2. The M-4 is now being used by more and more Officers and SNCO's.
I read that H&K had the 416, but i heard that Colt was now designing a M-4 with the same system as the 416.
It would be great if the military were to change the caliber of the new rifle. I would like to see if the US could get a 7.62mmx51mm rifle, but many people would probably not be able to carry or handle a 7.62x51mm rifle. It would be good if they went with a 6.8mm SPC. the 5.56mm round just does not cut it.
The Marines do have a new semi-automatic sniper rifle chambered 7.62x51mm built on a AR platform.

[gunga55]

I think I have seen something on the 7.62 sniper rifle

The AR's did start as a 7.62 in the beginning.

[Trapper]

An AR in 762 would be awesome. For everyone.

[Davidncf]

I believe that the new 7.62mm rifle AR is the M-110. The Marines are using them here some, I see a few guys with them every now and then.

[gunga55]

it would be nice, give that extra punch needed in a lot of situations