Basic failure of the M16 on introduction was the change in propellant, to a cheaper product. More carbon fouling of the chamber, more cleaning neccessary and troops either were informed and ignored direction or were not informed properly. OCD people who cleaned their weapons whenever they had the chance did not have problems.

M14 users did not have problems, doing maintenance on the schedule.

I prefer the piston action of the Garand, M14, and others to Stoner’s invention. YMMV. I own some Glock pistols, too. If things turn to shit, you’re on the run and don’t have a cleaning kit and a bottle of Hoppes, etc, you may need something to go bang, regardless. Nobody cares at that point (except you) if your firearm passes a Drill Instructor’s inspection.

Note: I have all the respect I can for Drill Instructors. My limited experience is that they wanted me to survive combat, as they had. They were hard and they praised. Thank you, sirs. RIP.

Didn’t they find that it had been purposely hobbled by the ‘not invented here’ Army establishment?

I don’t recall anyone being held responsible then.

So doubt anyone will be today.

To this day, I’m skeptical of the ar15 platform. I’ve fired original and modern ar10s and never had any issues with them. But I wont personally buy/own an ar15 derivative.

Richard Vail, LCpl USMC (Ret)

One last thought – if anyone thinks that Captain Trent is not potentially committing career suicide, they would be wrong. That is what makes his honesty all the more impressive.

By the way, one general laughed off the weight of the XM7 by saying the troops would just have to hit the gym more. It’s not like he will be carrying it.

https://twitchy.com/warren-squire/2025/05/18/trump-journey-dont-stop-believing-n2412967

That’s what I always thought too, that the XM7 was originally suppose to compliment and not fully replace.

To have all the troops carrying ~13 pounds of rifle then less ammo is a pretty stupid goal.

https://redstate.com/wardclark/2025/05/18/oklahoma-passes-new-protections-for-law-abiding-gun-owners-pointing-guns-in-self-defense-n2189255

Meanwhile, the .224 Valkyrie and 6mm ARC will outperform 5.56, especially at long range. But is it enough to justify a massive change? We regularly blow trillions on dumber things.

“There’s no disputing that Francisco Javier Grado-Flores shot and killed his then-girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend in June, 2023. For nearly two years the question has been whether Grado-Flores was justified in doing so. Ever since he was taken into custody shortly after the death of Raul Rene Montejano Jr, the defendant maintained he was acting to protect himself from harm, and almost two years after he was first charged with murder a jury of his peers agreed; putting an end to his time behind bars and allowing him to start a new chapter of his life as a free man.
…”

https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2025/05/18/after-two-years-behind-bars-jury-acquits-new-mexico-man-of-murder-charges-n1228631