Grendel LMG

[pinzgauer]

That video Stan posted of the M27 during a USMC live fire shows why I'm not a big fan of a box mag fed LMG in the Squad.

that's where my head was at, and I'm not a user!

The M27 also isn't anywhere near as controllable as designs that are now 80 years old, some of which were German. The Sturmgewehr itself remains one of the only controllable select-fire intermediate cartridge rifles if you look at constant recoil principle.

Another was the Stoner 63A. Watch how the gun barely moves even in the assault rifle configuration:

That Stoner 63 was amazing! had always heard, but never seen video. I want one! How did we miss this and get the minimi?

There are two major technological developments that have really changed LMGs in the Squad though that deserve mentioning:

1. Widespread use of optics

2. Own the Night Aiming systems

My understanding is that this has improved SAW effectiveness as well. Even in the last 5-10 years.

These 2 developments do make a magazine-fed IAR more viable, with a major consideration: High levels of training for the IAR gunner.

That is my take-away, we are training limited on all of this stuff, even in active line units. Does not make sense to debate 400+ yard carbine 5.56/grendel performance if you don't teach/train 200-300 yard stuff as much as needed. And getting live fire for stand-off (SAW/203/AT) is apparently harder than rifle/carbine.

Interesting stuff, all, though.