Re: Machineguns

[Shawn Mulock <salamndr@xxxxxxxx>]

MathesonT@aol.com wrote:

> Weapons
> such as the Ameli and Minimi-Para were available at the time of the
> M249 adoption,
> but they never stood a chance.  Two factors were in play.
> First, US Army
> command was very much against infantry having weapons with
> collapsible
> stocks and other gadgets (dumb I know but a reality).  Second,
> the USMC was
> a partner in development and they wanted a crew served weapon.
> They still deploy
> the M249 with two-man crew and T&E.
So as far as the weapon selections process went it seems to me that many
other weapons did not stand much of a chance if there were U.S. military
organizations partnering the development of a weapon. I do agree, 
the Minimi is a most outstanding weapon. I have put about 25,000rds down
the barrel and have only had one stoppage, but boy what a stoppage! I had
to stand on the front of the receiver and use the sling to work the action
to get the mutilated round out of the chamber. I feel they may have been
hasty in their selection.
> The
> Ultimax was evaluated by SEALs and rejected, leading them into the Mark
> 46 Mod 0 development.
The SEALS did select the Ultimax for use in several roles (again, according
to my literature, especially liking the silencer, I am told). We do have
to remember the SEALs and other SOCOM teams have the option of choosing
non US issue equipment.
>  Ameli
> performed very badly in US Army testing.  SAS
> has shelved
> theirs in favor of Diemaco C8 SFSWs.
The Amelis I worked with were bang up weapons and performed very well in
my experiences, we also have to consider the SAS has a different policy
in regards to weapons. They do not follow a Standard for the Unit, they
use the "I don't care just as long as they share ammunition commonality".
So in essence they may well still have those Amelis handy and ready for
use, it is just it has not met their role requirement recently. As a side
note, the SAS still has the L34A1 on the list.
> For
> ME purposes I would rank SAW/LMGs as;
> FNMI Mark 46
> Mod 0/M249 LSW
> Diemaco C8 SFSW
> (very cose to tied with above) <- I take it this example is very
> much like the FNMI Mark 46 Mod 0?
> H&K MG36
> Ultimax 100
> M249/Minimi
> Ameli
> anything else
As far as I can tell the nomenclature is rather confusing for some of these
weapons. Of the weapons listed above I consider two (possibly three) of
them to be essentially the same (same operation & maintenance, different
barrel length and options/mounting systems) weapon.

Also of note is the possibility of nation of manufacture bias. I have seen it in many nations, not just the USA and have to admit, I have been one of those so biased. I was very skeptical of the Ameli when I first used it, but was pleasantly surprised by the weapon after having put it through its paces!

I tend to only support things I have either used, or have received reports on from people who have experience with the weapon. I rarely trust any company literature and instead rely on the reports of those who have hands on with the equipment. Just an affliction on my behalf, I am sure!

=|

S.