Stick to your guns: Why the Marine Corps is opting for the M27 over the Army’s M7

Stick to your guns: Why the Marine Corps is opting for the M27 over the Army’s M7

The Marine Corps is opting to keep the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle rather than adopt the Army’s higher caliber M7, a service spokesperson confirmed in an email to Military Times. Lt. Col. Eric Flanagan, a public affairs officer for Marine Corps Combat Development Command, confirmed the decision, stating the M27 is well-suited “for our close combat formations as it best aligns with our unique service requirements, amphibious doctrinal employment…

Marines reject Army’s SIG M7 rifle, opting to keep H&K M27

Smaller in both size and budget, the Marine Corps often lags behind the Army when it comes to infantry rifles. Early in World War II, Marines were still using bolt-action M1903s from the previous World War, while the Army fielded the semi-automatic M1 Garand. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Marines cleared houses with old M16s sporting 20-inch barrels, while soldiers collapsed the stocks of their handier M4 carbines. This time, however, will be …