The M27 IAR

[Suhiir]

I'm a bit confused about the introduction of the M27 IAR to the USMC OOB (#13).

Weapon #13 M249 SAW
Wc=2, Acc=24, Whd=1, HE Kill=6, Wpn Range=10

Weapon #27 M27 IAR
Wc=1, Acc=19, Whd=1, HE Kill=3, Wpn Range=8

No where in the OOB is the IAR used in weapon slot #1. It is NOT a used or intended as a primary team/squad weapon but rather a support weapon.

I assume the reduced accuracy and HE Kill are due to it's Weapon Class designation.

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Chief among the advantages are increased accuracy and the ability for small units to move more quickly and in tandem, said Charles Clark III, head of infantry weapon requirements at Marine Corps Combat Development Command, out of Quantico.
The IAR has a 16.5-inch free-floating barrel, immediately making it one of the most accurate weapons carried by a squad of Marines. Common on sniper rifles, the free-floating barrel attaches to the rifle only at the receiver, keeping the weapon’s zeroing truer, even when placed under the weight of optics, pointers and other gear.
Each auto-rifle will be paired with Trijicon’s SAW Day Optic. It has 3½-times magnification and slightly longer eye relief than the 1½ inches a Marine typically keeps between his shooting eye and Trijicon’s Rifle Combat Optic, providing Marines carrying the IAR with protection from the weapon’s larger recoil when used on full auto.
Maintenance on the IAR also will be easier, considering it has a gas-piston system that prevents combustion gases and dust from entering the weapon’s interior.

Marine Corps Times


Ended up shooting the IAR today. All in all, i found it to be MUCH more accurate than an m16/m4. Insanely so in fact. If you asked me if i thought we should completley phase out m4's and 16's for the IAR, the answer would be an emphatic YES.

Marines Magazine


As a Marine Infantryman that has both fired this weapon, carried a M249 for a deployment, and teach both weapon systems employment.
I myself was a naysayer, until I shot the weapon at 5M to 1000M. But most importantly 5M to 550M.

Suppression is defined as: temporary or transient degradation of an oppossing force.
-In short, deny the enemy the ability to effect friendlies.

1) The M27 accomplishes this by accuraccy of fire vice volume of fire.
It’s ability to deliver accurate fire rapid fire at a distance, allows the fire team to quickly manuever.

2) The Marine Corps does not need to “update” their tactics around a automatic rifle.
The fire team in the U.S.M.C. was brought about by Col Carlson and his raiders during WW2, using ideas from China and Marines in the Banana Wars. A group of men comprised of a BAR, a Thompson, and 2 Garands (1 Garand had the Grenade Launcher attachement).
The Marine Corps is simply returning to a true Automatic Rifleman, that achieves suppression by hitting his target whether on semi or automatic.

Military Gear

Lastly a video on the IAR.

Video Link

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And, just because I like it

"Some people live an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference in the world, Marines don't have that problem."
President Ronald Regan