Just clearing up the definitions. An assault rifle, by definition, has the intermediate power cartridge, like the AK, AR, etc. A full-blown battle rifle must have a full blown cartridge.
By the way, you guys catch that we are moving back towards m14's and the .308, over in the sand?
I remember well the controversy over Defense Secretary MacNamara's decision to overrule the Army Ordnance dept and go to the 5.56mm. The 7.62 never was totally replaced. M-14s kept showing up here and there for special operations and sniper duty. The 5.56 was fine for close range use by airborne or ranger units. It beat the old M1 carbine. It was fine for Air Force Security and rescue personnel, too. Now our forces find themselves in the desert and in need of more power and range. I think the decision to replace the .45 with the 9mm was a poor decision as well. Now things have come full circle. If I lived in more open country, I'd have a 7.62. I may get one anyway, just for the heck of it. BTW, I never heard the M-16 referred to as an "assault rifle" by the Army, NRA definitions notwithstanding.
