The Marine Corps Times reports that the USMC will not be upgrading their M4 to the newer version that the Army is busy developing …

As the Army moves to field more than 10,000 conversion kits designed to make the 5.56mm M4 deadlier and more reliable, the Marine Corps says it has no plans to update its inventory.

…

Nearly all infantry soldiers use M4s, but in the Corps they are fielded primarily to vehicle operators and other Marines whose jobs render the primary service rifle, the M16A4, too cumbersome. The Corps has no plans to upgrade either rifle, Lt. Gen. George Flynn, deputy commandant for combat development and integration, told Marine Corps Times on Aug. 23.

This does not surprise me. The USMC command is very resistant to the idea that rifles are getting shorter and shorter. Tomorrow’s rifle is yesterday’s carbine.

[ Many thanks to Lance for emailing me the link. ]