Marines training with M27 IAR during a Designated Marksman Course. (Photo: Levi Schultz/USMC)
Heckler & Koch is pleased to announce that the company has finalized a deal with the U.S. Marine Corps for more M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles, or IARs. After several years of limited deployment, the Marines have decided to field the rifles with all infantry units in place of some light machine guns and all carbines.
The contract, worth over $29 million, is for up to 15,000 more IARs and spare parts. That puts the cost per rifle, along with all the extras, at just over $1,961 each.
Work on these systems will largely take place at H&K’s factory in Oberndorf, Germany. Other parts and components will be fabricated in the States in Georgia and Virginia. This is a five-year contract that runs through April of 2023.
The IAR, which is based on the HK416, is a ruggedized, accurized piston-driven AR-based rifle. The Marines are so pleased with its performance in the field that they are adopting it in place of multiple different weapon systems. The IAR in its M27 configuration is replacing both carbines and machine guns, while in its M38 config it’s being fielded as a squad-designated marksman rifle.
See Also: Leupold Selling Limited Run of Marines’ New Mark 4 Scope at NRAAM 2018
The Marine Corps put in their request for new rifles last summer. The initial request was for up to 50,000 guns but there has been external pressure to stop the buy.
The Corps has updated the squad-designated marksman package with a 2.5-8x Leupold scope. (Photo: USMC)
It’s possible that the Marines asked for 50,000 rifles knowing they could negotiate down to 15,000. The IAR’s greatest improvement over the M4 is its ability to shoot targets at longer ranges.
They feature a heavy barrel and gas piston system, which runs cooler and more reliably than direct impingement rifle, particularly when used as a light machine gun providing sustained fire. The longer and heavier barrel are what makes it more effective at range.
The only major concession is that the IAR weighs more. An M4 weighs 6.5 pounds unloaded, compared to 8 pounds for the M27.
Despite its relatively high cost the IAR has received high marks from Marine brass and infantry. The IAR is such a success that even the Army is considering other options as light machine gun replacements.
The IAR is not replacing the Marines venerable M40 sniper system. For that, the Marine Corps selected the new Mk 13 Mod 7, a semi-custom bolt-action rifle chambered for .300 Winchester Magnum.
Humping ammo in a fight. Hay buddy, Fire rate and weight of ammo boxes might be over looked in you statement?
The government beat (down )goes on.I wonder how much baksheesh Higher Kost had to pony up to sell $2000 a pop rifles to the corp? And in the same crap caliber no less.
When will the military abandon the 5.56 x 45 round and quit doubling down on a less effective rifle? Almost all rifle calibers beat the 5.56 millimeter in stopping power. It is a round that needs to be retired. 7.62 x 39 and 7.62 x 51 definitely beat it. I wish the military would adopt the 6.5 x 39 Grendel cartridge. With a sixteen inch barrel the Grendel round is effective to beyond 400 yards. 5.56 from a 14.5 inch barrel is not very effective beyond about 130 yards less effective beyond about 200 yards and very ineffective beyond 250 yards.
Keith I beg to differ as i was hitting targets at 300 meters with my G.M. M-16a1 that was a issue rifle off the rack. I did this with no bi pod and just the sling. I guess some if us are just better than others?
‘Effectiveness’ does not mean ‘accuracy.’ Plus, you’re comparing a 20” rifle to a 14.5” carbine barrel.
Humping ammo in a fight. Hay buddy, Fire rate and weight of ammo boxes might be over looked in you statement?
Donny have you looked into the weight of 6.5 x 39 Grendel ammunition? The power of the Grendel round surpasses the less effective 5.56 x 45 and you do not lose a lot of ammunition when comparing weight with the rifle rounds.
Colt Arms should come out with a Piston operated version of the M-4, I think is overdue.
A belt-fed weapon with quick change barrels is a crew served weapon, requiring multiple personnel.
When we first got our paws on then new M 60s (1967), we were elated.
With considerable effort and planning it was possible for one man to run and gun, at least for a short time and distance.
Today, with state-of-the-art design and engineering and production we have something far better.
The H&K M27 IAR gives the same sustained firepower capability to the individual Rifleman.
While I can see the benefits of the M27, especially as an M4 replacement, I’m still struggling to see how the Marines intend to use it as a 249 replacement given the lack of a quick change barrel. Thoughts?
You don’t need a quick change barrel. With the better metals it’s not needed. In a firefight you reload ,magazines or belts and a single shooter is not going to keep the pace of a crew served weapon. T H 204 EOD USMC SSGT 2011 2014 2 combat tours. USMC active duty.
The M27 is a short stroke has piston that also makes for a much more reliable weapon system that keeps the gun running cleaner and that makes for more reliable rifle. The range is much better, the short stroke also is a faster rate of fire that will allow 3 to 4 round bursts to stay in a much tighter group. The hk 416 also is a great gun in SBR. But the config that the marines are using allows this gun to be useful for longer range sniper situations, fire suppression and can be used inside 20 yards. It’s a perfect all around gun that can take the place of the m110, m4 and the saw. If the end times were upon us the m27 is the weapon I would want above all the rest and there is not a close runner up.
” the short stroke also is a faster rate of fire that will allow 3 to 4 round bursts to stay in a much tighter group.”
Which is why belt feds with quick change barrels are used.