Concept #5

[Manji]

The Uber-magazine.

How about manufacturing a smaller version of the helical magazine used for the GAU-8 Avenger, designed to be used with rounds of 5.56 mm caliber, and wearable as a backpack with a feed tube that a soldier can plug directly into the receiver of his M4.

This would in effect give a soldier a magazine with a capacity of several hundred rounds, maybe over a thousand, and which can all be fired without needing to go through the process of removing an empty magazine, taking out a full one, inserting it into the rifle, and cocking the rifle.

The only disadvantage I can see is that it would likely require electrical power to power the feed system, meaning a battery must be carried. This might have an effect on field reliability. For this reason, even if a soldier was thus equipped, it would probably be smart to carry a couple of conventional mags anyway in case he got in a tight spot and his big mag chose that moment to stop functioning.

[Master of Ossus]

Generally the issues with these magazines is how to practically fit them on the weapon without affecting the weapon's balance. In this case, the issue is mobility. Remember that almost all soldiers only carry a few hundred rounds of ammunition into combat, even when using automatic weapons. To dedicate an entire backpack to feeding a weapon with ammunition is not practical, because other soldiers would have to carry food, water, and other supplies for that soldier. Essentially, you are giving an entire squad a single weapon and telling them to keep the soldier carrying it alive. If the soldier is killed in combat, or his weapon is made inoperable, the squad has just lost a massive portion of its firepower, and is doing more work than is necessary.

This is much more practical than your other ideas, but it still would not work very well. Also, there would be problems with making the tube flexible enough to be maneuvered easily but rigid enough to be reliable.

[Pablo Sanchez]

The Uber-magazine.

This one is obviously flamebait. Quit it, Manji.

[Doomriser]

This would be really useful since all soldiers do in battle is point their rifle at the enemy and spray for 12 hours on full auto. Oh, and barrels don't melt from excess use either.

[TrailerParkJawa]

This would be really useful since all soldiers do in battle is point their rifle at the enemy and spray for 12 hours on full auto. Oh, and barrels don't melt from excess use either.

Dont forget that soldiers are also capable of carrying very heavy loads every where in every terrain, because they are properly trained by the best of the best of the best. Just like in Men In Black.

[Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi]

Who would use it? Rambo?

At least it isn't 10 meters long.

[Mr. B]

It's not connected to a 16" gun is it?

And once again:

WORTHLESS

[Sea Skimmer]

And thus the XM-214 was born.. 85 pound infantry weapons are not practical.

[ArthurDent]

Its good to see that this is getting the same response as it is over at Spacebattles.

[Subnormal]

Firing a field of lead isn't going to quarantee that you will kill someone. I mean if someone is behind a dirt pile you could fire the dang thing all day, all they would do would fall back relocate, put one round in your head and move on. God firing that many bullets would attract a lot of attention, and would most definately be visible on infared sensors, making you tank and helo fodder.