Forget the old stories of the 1970's A-1's, and the civilian testiments, current A-4 and M4 are well built and reliable. Step on the gas tube of an AK lightly one time and see how well it fires ! More is involved with thie decision than any of you or I can understand from the basic training of the troops to supply problems you name it. Better off sticking with something that is working just fine until that great revolution is developed. The public would have an outcry if we replaced all the M-16's at great expense to only turn around and dump then in 10 years for something new.

As for .308, I do not ever see our everyday ground pounders carrying .308 again. Consider the weight differance in ammo alone, now haul that weight around all day, I'll take the .223 any day until something as light that performs better arrives.