|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
August 9, 2018, 12:49 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 3, 2011
Location: Austria
Posts: 757
|
comeback of SMGs in the US Army?
Does anybody have further insights about the request for proposals for a new SMG that the Army has issued (and recently withdrawn). I'd be especially curious why they seem to want to go back to a simple 9mm and ignore the PDW-type platforms that were said to be the future not so long ago.
I don't know anything other than that the whole program is somewhat connected with equipping personal protection detachments...
__________________
"Get off of my lawn!" Walt Kowalski . ISSC PAR .223 |
August 10, 2018, 10:57 PM | #2 |
Staff
Join Date: March 11, 2006
Location: Upper US
Posts: 28,677
|
The military floats a lot of trial balloons, calling them "request for proposals" and other things. Most of them don't amount to anything.
Essentially its their way of saying "we're considering something, any one out there make it, or be willing to make it for us?" Doesn't mean they are actually planning to do the thing, only that they are considering it as a possibility.
__________________
All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better. |
August 11, 2018, 02:53 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: July 17, 2015
Location: South Central MO / Africa
Posts: 1,111
|
I think they just want a new toy to play with.
__________________
NRA Life Member |
August 12, 2018, 08:13 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 5, 1999
Location: TN
Posts: 786
|
The MP-5 in .40 or 10mm would fit the bill nicely imo.
__________________
"You can't get 'em all Josey." "That's a fact". "Well how come you doin' this then?" "Cause I got nothin' better to do." |
August 12, 2018, 11:21 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 3, 2011
Location: Austria
Posts: 757
|
But why not a 5.56 subcarbine or a 5.7 PDW? 9mm is kind of ineffective against body armor and barriers...
__________________
"Get off of my lawn!" Walt Kowalski . ISSC PAR .223 |
August 12, 2018, 12:04 PM | #6 | |
Staff
Join Date: March 11, 2006
Location: Upper US
Posts: 28,677
|
Quote:
And, choosing a weapon that probably won't go through the body armor that your team members and the primary are (hopefully) wearing does make some sense. Remember that it doesn't have to be the best possible thing, it just has to be able to do the intended job, under the worst foreseeable conditions. Also having the primary struck and maybe killed by a stray round from one of his bodyguards is considered bad for business...
__________________
All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better. |
|
August 13, 2018, 01:57 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 13, 2005
Posts: 4,700
|
Probably somebody trying to make a name for themselves, advance their career. The military is always resurrecting things from years gone by, rediscovering old concepts and passing them off as something new.
If they were to adopt a new SMG wouldn't it make sense to have it use the same magazines as the M9 ? Naah, that's too logical. |
August 16, 2018, 06:46 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 27, 2013
Location: Eastern NC
Posts: 553
|
Sounds like a good time to introduce the fn 5.7 or 300 blk as thats what these cartridges were designed for and offer real performance upgrades over the legacy pistol calibers.
On the other hand it doesn't seem like the future military weapon systems will use brass cased ammunition if you believe news reports on the replacement of the SAW and the m4. |
August 16, 2018, 07:34 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 30, 2010
Location: Arizona or Ohio depending
Posts: 1,021
|
The U.S. Military had been playing with ways to get rid of brass cases for decades now, from case-less (glued powder and ball) to innumerable different types of plastic or other synthetic materials. So far nothing the holds up to field conditions better than brass.
|
August 16, 2018, 09:21 PM | #10 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 2, 2005
Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam.
Posts: 3,082
|
Quote:
__________________
Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon. |
|
August 29, 2018, 07:23 PM | #11 |
Member
Join Date: August 16, 2018
Posts: 90
|
SMGs are tier one gear.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
August 30, 2018, 05:16 PM | #12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 20, 2008
Posts: 11,132
|
Quote:
|
|
August 31, 2018, 02:27 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 13, 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 12,453
|
"...Most of them don't amount to anything..." Yep. There are a lot of Colonels and LT Colonels who need to be kept busy.
"...a 5.56 subcarbine..." That's what an M4 is. "...9mm is kind of ineffective against body armor..." So is any other pistol cartridge. And it depends on the armour. Barriers don't matter. The 5.56NATO doesn't penetrate those either. Not what small arms are for anyway. "...do not believe the MP-5 is in production..." HK still makes 'em over 100 variants. "...playing with ways to get rid of brass cases..." Done by HK long ago.
__________________
Spelling and grammar count! |
August 31, 2018, 02:36 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 11, 2013
Location: High up in the Rocky Moun
Posts: 665
|
The MP-5 in 9MM is as close to perfection as current technology will allow.
__________________
The soldier's pack is not so heavy a burden as the prisoner's chains. Dwight Eisenhower It is very important what a man stands for. But it is far more important what a man refuses to stand for. |
August 31, 2018, 02:40 PM | #15 |
Member
Join Date: May 28, 2018
Posts: 59
|
The FN PDW system is lightweight, and the P90 is fairly compact.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Army used it for non-infantry personnel. Not that they actually will. |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|