Today as I am sitting here browsing the threads a thought slowly started to creep in the back of my mind and continued to grow as the day went on.
Have we reached a point where the technology with the M4/M16/AR15 FOW has peaked?
In the last 10-15 years we have seen the evolution of this platform streamline itself to be the premier small arm platform in the world. It is light weight, modular, accurate, and reliable. With modern technology and the vast amount of information available it has been an exciting adventure. However in the last 3 or so years we have not seen very many advancements. Even the popularity of the external piston seems to have subsided. Sure newer stocks, hand guards, triggers, A5, ambi controls, etc. have come to the market, but there hasn’t been any monumental changes. I feel as the industry has slowed down, even on this site I have noticed a regression of new threads.
New ammo (CTA), that’s about it. There isn’t a whole lot to improve on. Take a SR-15 E3 Mod1, add a raptor, pistol grip of choice, sling, light, laser, and a 1-6x and you’re pretty much good to go. Effective from 2-500m, both day and night, with a light weight, reliable, accurate weapon with ambidextrous controls.
Small arms in general have plateaued. We have come to the point where as long as we are firing from brass cased ammunition we will only see very minor changes, and that will most likely come from hardware like optics, grips, rails, ect.
Ammo will be what really dictates what comes next.
I agree with the prior responses. I think the next major change in firearms will be a new way to sling bullets (CTA, caseless, etc.). Not knowing the costs of these technologies, I just hope that when the shift from brass cases happens that it will eventually be affordable for a schmuck like me.
This is kind of similar to I thought I have been having this week. I’ve been wondering if the AR platform will be as popular as it is now in 10, 20, or 30 years? This not much more we can improve with them other than exploring new calibers and ammo types. Makes you wonder…
I think even though new and great weapons will be produced, all of us will swear by the AR for the rest of our lives. Case in point, I bought my old man an AR a few years ago for Christmas. He still swears by his M1. It’s what he feels most confident with.
Are you guys longing for a: “phased plasma rifle in a 40 watt range”. Who doesen’t like the M1 carbine, M1 garand, FAL, FN49, etc.? These and others have been around for ages and are still very much in demand. The M4 will be more popular than the above.
I’m not saying I want anything else. I myself love AR-15s, M1s, M14s, and 1911s. I have simply wondered if in the future the AR platform will be so popular. This week when I get paid I’m ordering a BCM upper and I will be getting an LMT lower next month but just because I love ARs doesn’t mean everyone else will in 30 years. I see where you are coming from though and it is a very valid opinion which I hope ends up being right.
I’m probably wrong, but the AR/M-16 FOW may be the last great service weapon to make it into civilian hands in great numbers. I was brought up shooting '03s, M1s, M1 carbines, the AR-180, and the M1A/M14. My first time shooting the AR/M-16 platform was during the Small Arms Firing School at Camp Perry in 1978. It was an M-16 with the FA disabled. It felt clunky compared to the Springfield M1A I was used to shooting. It even said Mattel on the stock, but for a 14 year old it was still cool to shoot.
Fast forward a few years and the Army decided that it would get behind the AR for service rifle competition. The next thing you know the AR was a winner and the civilian market for the AR as a competition rifle exploded.
My point to all of this is will we see another service rifle make its way from the battlefield to Main St. USA again? The M1 Garand and M1 Carbine were the last of the surplus rifles to be offered to the public. We have Colt to thank for making the AR-15 available to the public. I would like to think that it may happen again. Only time will tell.
Until we move past brass cased ammo dont expect to see much else. Every gun maker has hit a wall in terms of small arms. At lesst when confined to brass cased ammo.
We may very well be the old guys who shoot all wrong and use those old, antiqey ARs just because they’re slim, have sweet single action triggers and we like that they’re made of metal.:rolleyes:
That is, if we live to be old enough to see the next big thing…
I’m thinking peripherals still have a ways to go for the AR platform. First probably thermal advances bringing the price way down, and eventually computer diagnosed target location using sound, movement, chemical, density and who knows what other sensors. Facial recognition in another generation or two could have some nasty implications.
I’m kinda hoping not to see man portable rail guns in my lifetime, but not optimistic.