MARSOC NOT Interested in the M27… But the M38 Looks Promising
A recently released Marine Corps Times article covers a discussion with a MARSOC spokesman who confirmed in no uncertain terms that the command was not interested in an M27 IAR procurement program. The reasons stated involved the Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) of MARSOC, working in confined quarters and requiring not only a shorter barrel for these types of operations but also a weapon in which adding a suppressor to won’t make it even longer. Also mentioned was a statement about the lack of compatibility with the SOCOM upper receiver group to be mounted on an M27’s lower receiver. On top of both of these concerns is that MARSOC appears to be quite content with having a belt-fed light machine gun integral to the small teams in which they operate from. Previously this has been the M249 SAW, but currently, MARSOC is fielding the FN Herstal 7.62x51mm NATO Mk.48.
However, there is an interest in the M38 for a long-range capability, which is essentially a standard M27 outfitted with a precision optic (most likely an M8541Schmidt & Bender 3-12×50) and a Knight’s Armament QDSS-NT4 suppressor. The M38 is currently seeing fielding within the Infantry battalions of the Fleet Marine Force at the squad level as a Designated Marksman billet. If I were to guess, this is possibly because, procurement wise, it is much easier for MARSOC to field M38s than to purchase a new system. Although the command does receive SOCOM funding, the curse of being a part of the cash-strapped Marine Corps appears to still be upon them.
Once again this topic is igniting the age-old M27 debate over accuracy versus base of fire, to which MARSOC has blatantly stated that the beltfed base of fire trumps the accuracy of the M27. This further goes along the lines of the Marine Corps’ move to adopt the M27 as a backdoor way into upgrading the M16A4s and M4s currently in service, under the “guise” of adopting a magazine-fed light machine gun.
Source:Marine Raiders Don’t Want Any M27sShawn Snow – https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2018/02/23/marine-raiders-dont-want-any-m27s/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Socialflow
Infantry Marine, based in the Midwest. Specifically interested in small arms history, development, and usage within the MENA region and Central Asia. To that end, I run Silah Report, a website dedicated to analyzing small arms history and news out of MENA and Central Asia.Please feel free to get in touch with me about something I can add to a post, an error I've made, or if you just want to talk guns. I can be reached at miles@tfb.tv
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"a precision optic (most likely an M8541Schmidt & Bender 3-12×50)" that is incorrect
reports have confirmed they are reusing old MK12 scopes.
United States Marine Corps Selects Leupold TS-30A2 Mark 4 MR/T for M38, Squad-Designated “Marksman Rifle”
BEAVERTON, Ore. — The United States Marine Corps is in the process of fielding the M38, which features a Leupold TS-30A2 Mark 4 MR/T riflescope atop an M27. The configuration is to be known as the Squad-Designated Marksman Rifle. The TS-30A2 Mark 4 MR/T has previously been fielded with the Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle.
http://soldiersystems.net/2...
One suggestion would be a lightweight, chrome lined 24" CHF, .224 Valkyrie upper. With a 1-8x Scope. It would allow MARSOC to quickly outfit a member of the team, when they may need additional precision for extended ranges out to 1,300ish yards. It could be interchanged with the existing M4A1 lower and precision triggers they have in them. It would be lighter than a AR10 format and have less recoil and higher hit probability than the 7.62 Nato. It would also be cost saving. Colt could supply them. I think they could benefit from a CHF barrel, so Colt would need to rise to the challenge: or buy barrels from FNH. I believe Colt does a better job QC'ing barrels in general, despite their aversion from CHF barrels.