What U.S Troops Think of Their New XM-7 Rifle

American soldiers test out their new Next Generation squad Weapon XM-7 6.8 x 51mm primary rifles. U.S.A troops have given their feedback on how they like the new platform that is replacing the M16 and M4 series. They also test fired the new XM-250 weapon system as well. In this episode about the U.S army infantry ground forces historic switch we cover the feedback.

written by: Chris Cappy and Diego Aceituno
Edited by: Savvy Studios

00:00 - 00:20 Intro
00:20 - 04:34 Soldier feedback
4:34 - 5:03 Vehicle Armor Penetration
05:03 - 8:12 officer feedback
8:12 - 9:26 101st airborne feedback
9:26 - 13:08 Science 6.8mm
13:08 - 20:07 CRITICISMS OF THE XM-7

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Task & Purpose is a military news and culture oriented channel. We want to foster discussion about the defense industry.

#AMERICA #USARMY #MILITARY

[Dj.MODÆO]

The army finally realized its cheaper in the long run to give every rifleman a suppressor than a 10-20% service connection for hearing loss.

[towakin]

1950: Here is a dollar, give me a box of ammo
2020: Here is a dollar, give me a bullet
2024: Here is a bullet, give me a box of dollars

[ChrisStevens]

"A bigger bullet means a bigger hole, in a bigger hole means less bad guy, that's just simple arithmetic" The Fat Electrician

[KittensNeedMittens]

Ah the battle rifle to assault rifle to battle rifle cycle continues

[tba]

"The extra weight's not a big deal, you stop noticing it after a few days"

Their testing program is amazing: they somehow got testimony from the Army without actually talking to any soldiers.

[CreepyFungus]

My neighbor worked for several years on this project! I'm proud to say that my very own 10Lbs. Sledgehammer was borrowed to destroy failed prototypes

[eol]

People are frustrating...

-Complaining that the M16 was heavy is nuts.
- Hey not only is this rifle too heavy it's too long.
- Ok it's lighter & we took 6-8 inches off the barrel....
- Hey this thing isn't dropping targets at distance!
- Ok here's a Ox of a rifle with a bigger bullet.
- This thing is heavy and it doesn't hold as much ammo!

Here's to going in circles....again.

[WilliamDaugherty]

Anybody remember the AR-10? How about the M14? History goes back and forth on the debate over power vs. weight/capacity. I can't imagine anyone loving all the extra weight when they are actually humping this thing around. Chris, you are spot on in terms of the "control of the narrative". The Spear is a great rifle, but I would not choose it for CQB. I can't imagine having the whole squad swinging this thing around.

[Bryan-uwny]

I'm glad that you addressed the Army Times constantly lying and picking and choosing which soldier feedback they publish.

[southernSCkid]

As a soldier in the 101st on the ground with these weapons I can say the attitude towards the xm7 is NOT a positive one . Most people agree that it should be in an SDMR position . The 250 however is a welcome change, love it

[spartanalex]

I think everyone's got it backwards. The real game changer is the XM250 LMG which is a quantum leap over the SAW and M240, however due to the new round in the LMG, Army wanted a rifle to pair with it for ammo compatibility to get the economy of scale in place to bring down ammo costs in the long run.

The Army never really cared about the practicality of the XM7 as their sights were set on the XM250 but as long as they want the 250, the M7 is staying.

[SpartanBrix]

I met a guy working at a Bass Pro Shops who recently got out of the 101st. He said that he loved shooting it.

[markw]

I can tell you what they're going to think in a few weeks: "Dam this thing is heavy". Rifles are CARRIED 99% of the time.

[methodsocratic]

Former Navy public affairs officer here -

TLDR, this is 100% NOT what soldiers *really* think of the XM7.
Officially released troop “feedback, ” quotes given to “Stars & Stripes, ” these are all carefully managed by DOD PAOs (public affairs officers).

It’s called “command information, ” aka, propaganda.

Info produced for public release won’t contain factual errors…but it (generally) will also *never* include negative criticism.

[cosmicjester]

The positives:
+Higher penetration

The negatives:
-Heavier
-Fewer rounds in the mag and carried
-Harder to maintain
-No allied soldier can hand you spare ammo
-Ammo costs are 20x higher

The grunts are going to hate it. Although they won't care about the monetary costs.

[jamesblakeman]

Not being able to carry as much ammunition will be a huge factor. It’s very impressive that you can shoot through a steel plate but if everyone is carrying 33% less ammo then you have less time to either win or withdraw.

[skatedude]

them brushing off the weight is concerning and that officer saying "just work on your biceps" shows he doesnt even understand the problem

[wesleybrehm]

As a SAW gunner in Afghanistan, I would have loved to have had the XM250. This definitely seems more like a DMR than a gun to give to everyone. Losing basically three mags of ammo and lowered CQB seems like a losing proposition. Maybe the increased accuracy and efficiency of the optic makes up for it, but in my experience sending a high volume of lead down range denies the enemy the ability to maneuver or fire effectively is what wins firefights.

[geronimo]

The XM7 is the modern version of the M14. We want a bigger bullet. But will ultimately find it too bulky for most use cases. So it goes into a support role.

[nathanleecullison]

It doesn't matter the service member feedback. The gun is already bought, the contracts are already signed, and the Generals that approved it are gonna cash their checks.