why is it that the USA has been using the same assault rifle design for 50 years?

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2009-06-22 17:01:51 +0000	It' a good weapon and they've updated it a lot up to the M16A4 and the M4. But they are currently looking for a replacement. They H&K 416 is what they are currently looking at to replace the M16. But to answer your piston question, yes the piston operating system is more reliable in certain conditions but because of it's design it creates a lot of kick when firing the weapon. The M16 has a system that directs the kick straight back into the users shoulder making upward kick almost non-existent. So as the M16 has almost no kick the AK-47 with it's piston operated system has a lot of kick and is hard to operate accurately. Any more questions feel free to let me know! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

2009-06-22 16:46:26 +0000	For the same reason we're still using a heavy machine gun design from almost 100 years ago. If it works well, is reliable and tough there is no need to replace it. The M-4 version of the M-16 is a piston operated upper. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

2009-06-22 16:49:56 +0000	Well the US Gov't uses the M4 style assault rifle now. You do realize that you don't fix what ain't broke. Yeah the original M-16 was a bad gun but the design has improved 10 fold. The 1911 Colt .45 ACP was the military's sidearm for almost 100 years, and it is still a reliable gun. This isn't Halo or any other video game. Don't always think more firepower is the way to win a battle, let alone a war. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

2009-06-22 16:58:14 +0000	if it ain't broke.....don't fix it Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

2009-06-22 16:53:02 +0000	Had our government stayed with the Garand, the vietnam war would have been a heck of a lot shorter... lol Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

2009-06-22 16:45:20 +0000	Because politicians are pocketing the money instead of paying for bullet proof vests and other protection for US soldiers. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

2009-06-22 16:44:49 +0000	I suppose because it works. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

2009-06-22 16:50:59 +0000	I wish the govt had stayed with the Garand. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

2009-06-22 16:48:26 +0000	A new rifle has been in development for a while now. The XM8 is what is is called. for more information http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m8-oicw.htm Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

2009-06-25 02:15:38 +0000	If it ain`t broke, don`t fix it. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

2009-06-22 16:45:21 +0000	Because it is a great design and they haven't come up with a better one yet. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

2009-06-22 16:55:10 +0000	Why is that important? that's a real question. As long as it can blow ur brain out then its good Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No