6 reasons Marines go crazy for the M27 automatic rifle
SUMMARY
Over the course of the past two wars, Marines learned a lot of lessons and gained a lot of new weapons and equipment to increase their effectiveness on the modern battlefield. But when we started to realize just how outdated the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon became, the search for a replacement began.
The M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle did just that for the standard Marine infantry squad, much to the disdain of many Marines until they realized its application fit a larger spectrum than the M249. Every Marine has their favorite gun and once the M27 became more widely used, it wasn't long before it became a grunt's best friend and greatest ally.
Once you hear an automatic weapon begin firing bursts, adrenaline and primal instinct start flowing and you get this sudden urge to break things. The M27 offers this experience to infantry Marines everywhere and that can be reason enough for a grunt to fall in love with it — but the love they have for the IAR goes beyond the feeling of automatic fire.
Here are the main reasons the M27 gets so much love:
It's just a fun weapon to shoot.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Henson)
They're fully automatic
Of course this is #1, Marines love weapons that fire on full auto or ones that cause explosions. It's the chaos and destructive power that will get them motivated to break the enemy's stuff.
It's hard to miss with an M27.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caleb T. Maher)
They're accurate
The M27 is insanely precise and when its shooter has mastered the basic fundamentals of marksmanship, it creates a dangerous duo. An automatic weapon is only as good as the rifleman holding it. Let that Marine also be an expert in ammo conservation and they've become one of the most effective players on the board.
The weight makes it easier to maneuver and shoulder-firing isn't a problem, either.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Holly Pernell)
They're light-weight
As opposed to the M249 SAW's 17 pounds unloaded, the M27 comes in 8 pounds lighter when it's loaded. Unfortunately, you'll make up that weight with the amount of ammo you'll have to carry but at least the weapon's weight isn't a problem.
You'll be surprised at how clean it is even after it's fired 800 rounds.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tojyea G. Matally)
An automatic rifle that's easy to clean
The M27 features a gas-operated short-stroke piston which means the carbon residue is mostly outside of the chamber which means most of the clean-up is done on the inside of the hand guards.
They can even be fired from helicopters.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Breanna L. Weisenberger
Versatility
In the case of urban combat, size matters. The shorter barrel, the easier your life will be. Maneuverability is key and being able to fit yourself and your weapon in tight quarters helps a lot. Also considering the fact that it can fire on semi-automatic and is a closed-bolt system, this weapon can be the first through the door.
Just look at that design.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caleb T. Maher)
They're beautiful
Let's be honest, the Heckler Koch design just looks good in your hands and when an automatic gun is both pleasing to the eyes and functionally sound, it's good for the soul.
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