My misguided idea of a DM rifle

[GBullet]

For 11 years or so, I've had a goofy designated marksman (DM) rifle concept.

Suppose that you started with a M-1 Garand. The Garand's gas system is reliable and softens recoil well. Substitute a synthetic stock for improved weather resistance.

Replace the 8 round en-bloc magazine with a nearly flush fitting, detachable rotary magazine. The sharp lower edges of the M-14's magazine has always found a way to cut my left forearm. FN's don't, go figure. BAR mags don't cut me when prone because BAR's have bipods.

Add a compact, durable optical sight with integral bullet drop compensator (BDC) and range finder. The range finder could be a circle whose size you would adjust with a knob to fit a known dimension on the target, thereby setting the BDC.

Who knows? Maybe this DM rifle idea popped into my head after I ate too much sugar.

[brass hammer]

WOW!, i'm not to 'hip' on the rotary mag,although 'muy grande' over the
en-bloc 'clip'

but YOU TALKIN' 'BOUT THAT SCOPE HAS GOT ME PERK'A'LATIN'!

fantastic concept/thought process, brother!

[RIKA]

Or you could just fit a 10rd box mag to the M1A. Good idea though.

RIKA

[Magnum88C]

RIKA beat me to it.
10 round box mag, with a mag pull if you still get "bit" by the magazine.
The problem with the Garand is the fact that you have to mount the scope off to the side. Of course changing the Garand to a rotary bottom-feeder would change that, but then you're really designing a new weapon. Plus a rotary magazine in that size receiver would drop you to about 4 rounds maximum. If you're willing to live with that, the 5 round "sporter" M1A magazines are almost flush.

Good Idea GBullet, I just think there's already a rifle that can do what you want with minimal modification (i.e. add a mag pull or use shorter magazines).

[BigEd63]

Oh speaking of compact scopes on DMR rifles.

The WECSOG Scope division of ACME Assault rifle Company is working on a new project sure to make most serious rilfemen faint or puke. :dgrin:

[RIKA]

One of the engineers let a little info slip on the WECSOG scope. He says it has it has the 12" periscope mount; ideal for sneak shooting out of spider holes. The specially treated lenses allow safe cleaning with material torn from the shooter's DEPENDS.

RIKA :D

[BigEd63]

Heheheh......good one Rika.

But this is something I tried on a whim with a scope I got used for $20 and needs only a slight modification to work.

Not something I'd rely upon to start with but maybe good knowledge to have if needing to scrounge an optic up in a long term SHTF situation.

And this does have a BDC in it.

[andy]

gee, CAN'T mortise out the forearm, fit a dowel into the mortice, clamp the GI bipod on the dowel.

[Garand]

Personally I like the idea of a dedicated DM in a rifle section or as you call it a "squad". Three of the rifle that you have mentioned aren't that heavy and have been proven in combat. They only important thing is what type of bells and whistles do you want to add to it.