Conway: SAW’s firepower hard to give up

[unhappycamper]

Conway: SAW’s firepower hard to give up
By Amy McCullough - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Dec 25, 2009 9:43:25 EST

Despite a yearslong effort to field a lightweight automatic rifle that would replace the M249 squad automatic weapon in some Marine fire teams, the Corps’ top officer remains unconvinced that trading firepower for weight is a smart move.

The SAW — with its 200-round drum — may not be “terribly accurate shot-to-shot,” but it puts Marines on par with the enemy in a firefight, Commandant Gen. James Conway told reporters during a briefing Dec. 15 at the Pentagon. With only a 30-round magazine, its proposed replacement, the 5.56mm Infantry Automatic Rifle, could force a dangerous change to the way Marines fight, he said.

“Let’s … talk about suppression and the psychology of a small-unit fight, that says that the other guy’s got a light machine gun and I’ve got an automatic rifle,” Conway said. “I’m going to be hard-pressed to get fire superiority over him, you know, to keep his head down instead of him keeping mine down, because that 200-round magazine just keeps on giving.”

Marine Corps Systems Command has expressed interest in a high-capacity magazine that would fit the IAR and hold between 50 and 100 rounds. Although Conway did not address the higher-capacity magazine during his briefing, it might not make a difference, his spokesman, Maj. David Nevers, said.

“I’m not sure whether he believes that a marginally higher capacity would be enough,” Nevers said.


Rest of article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/12/FRIDAYmarine_saw_122509w/

[old mark]

1. Bring back the M 60. This is not a good idea, IMO. nt

[thunder rising]

2. Wait for it ... 50 and 100 round magazine is your next NRA required hunting accessory

for those evil deer and terrorist bunnies.

[PavePusher]

3. Pull another one out of your butt.

It looks roomy in there...