{"id":38814,"date":"2018-01-24T00:21:14","date_gmt":"2018-01-24T00:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/01\/24\/could-the-m27-solve-some-small-arms-problems-for-the-army-marines\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T03:14:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T03:14:54","slug":"could-the-m27-solve-some-small-arms-problems-for-the-army-marines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/off-duty\/2018\/01\/24\/could-the-m27-solve-some-small-arms-problems-for-the-army-marines\/","title":{"rendered":"Could the M27 solve some small arms problems for the Army, Marines?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

LAS VEGAS, Nevada \u2014 The Marines have been using the M27 as their Infantry Automatic Rifle in some form for many years now, but should the Corps decide to push forward, the weapon has the potential for a more versatile future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The M27 is the military version of the H&K 416. The company makes the rifle in 5.56 mm for the Marines, who are using it to replace the M249 light machine gun at the squad level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And a new version of the weapon, the M38, is being fielded as the squad\u2019s Designated Marksman Rifle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Could more be in store?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The Corps is starting to designate one \u00adMarine in each infantry squad as a \u201cmarksman\u201d and providing that Marine with an M38 rifle. (Lance Cpl. Michaela Gregory\/Marine Corps)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

H&K designed versions of the platform in at least two 6 mm-range rounds years ago, a company official said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both of those could be dusted off to give the Army something to look at, since officials with the Army Maneuver Center of Excellence\u2019s lethality branch have said they are evaluating many \u201cintermediate caliber\u201d rifle rounds in the 6 mm range as possible replacements for the standard 5.56 mm round.<\/p>\n\n\n\t