This in by Popular Mechanics...

Another new one? Weighs in at 15 lbs., and only approx. $12000.00 ea., why so expensive??

No mention in the article of it being a piston gun. The shape of things to come.

https://www.popularmechanics.c...new-marksman-rifles/

HK Website

https://www.heckler-koch.com/e...-a2-13/overview.html

It is piston operated.

Keep in mind that the weight and the price tag both include the scope. As mentioned at the end of the article, at least ~$4k of that price tag is the scope alone.

Its predecessors, the M14 EBR and M110, both weighed around 15 pounds with magazine, scope, and bipod.

That forend looks heavy.

Seems to me they're getting the "special government price" on those 1.5 moa rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by rpm2010:
why so expensive??

Because HK.

quote:

Originally posted by bigwagon:

quote:

Originally posted by rpm2010:
why so expensive??

Because HK.

Combine that with government contract, aka someone is getting some kick back, and that's how the price tag is so high.

It’s piston operated.

It’s expensive because the military normally buys the whole “kit”, to include training materials, etc.

Of course it’s far superior to a PSA hobby 308.

rpm2010
"Another new one? Weighs in at 15 lbs., and only approx. $12000.00 ea., why so expensive??"


The rifles are free,that is the cost of the HK magazine.

waste of time and money...the M14 in the sage chassis and tuned is just as effective...

and Uncle Sam ALREADY owns the M14's...and is ALREADY paying the armorers.

we had some M14's in the CG that the rotor heads used to shoot boat engines...they were plenty accurate and the 7.62NATO round (and others) does what the report requires....

someone is going to make a buncha money off this.

For those of us who don't regularly argue the merits of "sniper" gear, what would a realistic cost figure be for a setup suitable to the task? What MOA would a top-level sniper be striving for? And what would this Bob Lee Swagger fellow choose if budget were no impediment?

Many precision rifles shoot 1/4 moa, at least bolt action rifles do. Typically would cost $4,500 or so plus a $4,000 scope for very high end.

POF rifles, which are piston driven, are about 1/2 moa in my experience.

quote:

Originally posted by ARMT Guy:
That forend looks heavy.

Military authorities apparently have been concerned that the off hands of their troops were simply not getting enough exercise.

Yeah...hold a civilian MR556A1 and it's clear that HK is intent of dampening the wicked, nefarious evil of muzzle flip.

I'm all for the best equipment, but extensive training doesn't take the place of cool gear.

How many of our enemies are using an AK-47 that is rusted almost shut, with no scope or red dot?

Yes we should have superior firepower, but the person behind the trigger is equally important.

Just some background info for folks who weren't Army Infantry.

There are theoretically officially Sniper-trained soldiers in every Infantry battalion (a battalion is ~700 men). But they are assigned to the Scout Platoon of the Headquarters Company and report / serve as a Battalion asset. They are not in the line platoons unless 'tasked-down' in support of normal platoon / company operations. That could happen but not usually as the scouts-snipers serve as an asset to the Battalion Commander and they perform a very important function as the 'eyes and ears' of the commander.

So this rifle is an attempt to bridge the gap between 'avarage-Joe' with an M4 and the high-speed Sniper at the Battalion level who there are a very select few of. Maybe ~10 in a Battalion of 700+ men.

The thing I wonder about is what soldiers in the Infantry squad are skilled enough to employ this more advanced weapon system? And what level of training will they get to maximize its effectiveness?

Why do I ask this? Because typically the more experienced soldiers in an Infantry squad get the M203 grenade launchers and the m249 belt-fed LMGs. Your 'new-guy' is the only one with 'just' an M4. So now the question becomes - what weapon system is going to be relegated to the newest / least experienced soldier?

The M203 grenade launcher requires additional training and specialization to master.
The M249 is a belt-fed and requires different / additional training to master.
The new DRM weapon will require additional training to master and employ most effectively.

So the 'new guy' private - head still spinning - 18 / 19 year-old fresh out of basic training used to get 'just' an M4 to be able to acclimate.

I'm all for new / better gear that makes us more lethal but without thoughtful planning and execution PLUS additional sufficient training its not going to be employed anywhere near its full effectiveness.

My time in the Infantry is long-passed but I can foresee employment issues. Any current Infantrymen who could educate us?

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sig209,

The British Army and Royal Marines bought the exceptionally fine LMT rifle in 7.62x51 calibre, stuck a decent bipod on it and a mid-range S&B scope on it.

Everybody I've ever spoken to about it says the same thing - what a GREAT piece of machinery it is!

I've only ever handled it - here in UK we are not allowed to shoot it, just fondle it - but I have to agree that it is, indeed, a very fine item. Only the little matter of the lack of just over $5800 prevents me from having a straight-pull version of my own.

tac

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
waste of time and money...the M14 in the sage chassis and tuned is just as effective...

The EBR is a 15lb rifle and that's without the scope, ammo, bipod...fun times on patrol.
The upper receiver couldn't hold zero and various scopes had mount issues.
20" barrel made patrolling in MOUT environment difficult.
20" barrel with suppressor is problematic and overly awkward for any patrolling.
Parts and magazines became hard to come by as the supply chain became stretched due the rifle being non-standard inventory.
The Joe's going downrange had to get retrained as they all were familiar with the M16/M4 family of weapons. Not difficult but just another box to check.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig209:

The new DRM weapon will require additional training to master and employ most effectively.

So the 'new guy' private - head still spinning - 18 / 19 year-old fresh out of basic training used to get 'just' an M4 to be able to acclimate.

I'm all for new / better gear that makes us more lethal but without thoughtful planning and execution PLUS additional sufficient training its not going to be employed anywhere near its full effectiveness.

My time in the Infantry is long-passed but I can foresee employment issues. Any current Infantrymen who could educate us?

I'm not a veteran, so hopefully I'm not going too far outside my lane, but from what I've read there's a designated marksman course that covers that training. I believe it's a 2-week course that covers more advanced marksmanship skills, out to longer ranges, and training on the DMR. The course is for the designated marksmen in each unit.

Whether or not every designated marksmen gets that training, or how effective/practical it is in the real world, I can't say.