Marines Set to Field New Designated Marksman Rifle

[ArcadiaGP]

Marines Set to Field New Designated Marksman Rifle

Amidst a slew of new equipment coming down the pipeline for U.S. Marines is a new designated marksman rifle. The M38 scoped rifle is designed to give Marine infantry squads the ability to hit individual targets at ranges of up to 600 meters with greater precision than Marines equipped with ordinary M4 carbines. According to Marine Corps Times the rifle will be fully issued by September 2018.

 

[Rookie]

Impressive

Knock it off.

 

[Nojoy621]

So they are basically throwing a scope on an M27 and calling it a new rifle?

 

[roscott]

"Typically, such a rifle would be equipped with a long range telescopic sight bipod"

 

[Tombs]

Why would you put a 16.5" barrel on a squad's DMR rifle... This whole thing is a mess.

 

[johny5]

This confuses me. Equipped with an M16A4, topped with an ACOG, most marines I knew could effectively engage man-sized targets at 600M. Of course, most of the guys I've known were trained on iron sights, a practice that has been abandoned, I understand.

Seems like this is the age we live in. A lack of basic competency is addressed with technology/equipment. Man, I am really starting to feel old...

 

[Ark]

Take an optic you already had, put it on the rifle you just bought, call it a new DMR.

Wondering whether the Marines will keep them supplied with Mk262 and zero the optics accordingly, or just give them the same ammo as everyone else.

 

[sig1473]

Why would you put a 16.5" barrel on a squad's DMR rifle... This whole thing is a mess.

Uh, why not? The UK uses the L129A1(LMT MWS) with a 16" 1:11.25 barrel and can engage out to 800M with a 6x48 ACOG. They use it with great success.

 

[rugertoter]

This confuses me. Equipped with an M16A4, topped with an ACOG, most marines I knew could effectively engage man-sized targets at 600M. Of course, most of the guys I've known were trained on iron sights, a practice that has been abandoned, I understand.

Seems like this is the age we live in. A lack of basic competency is addressed with technology/equipment. Man, I am really starting to feel old...

I know what you mean. I had my 3rd award bar for my Expert Badge when I was in the Corps (long time ago), and irons were all we used. Sometimes, I think Americans are too "gear happy".

 

[johny5]

I know what you mean. I had my 3rd award bar for my Expert Badge when I was in the Corps (long time ago), and irons were all we used. Sometimes, I think Americans are too "gear happy".

Right? Not to be misunderstood - I love me some gear as much as the next guy. However, find me a jarhead who values equipment over skill and I'll show you someone I do not intend to share a foxhole with...