I don’t think that opinions will necessarily change even if NATO decides to use a new rifle. Even if the US and NATO eventually adopt the Sig XM7 in 6.8x51mm, AR-15s will still be cheap, ammo plentiful, and they’ll all still be on the same standard. (Plus, the 6.8x51mm cartridge is a real barrel burner; if you’re a higher volume shooter, you’ll get maybe 5000 rounds out of it before accuracy is shot–pardon the pun–to hell.) But, we’ll see. So far the design has stuck around and been refined for over 50 years. Hell, people still use the 1911, and that’s over 100 years old.
True, but primarily, because NATO wants them in a certain spec.
Again, once the US military switche from it, then so will everyone’s opinion.
I don’t think that opinions will necessarily change even if NATO decides to use a new rifle. Even if the US and NATO eventually adopt the Sig XM7 in 6.8x51mm, AR-15s will still be cheap, ammo plentiful, and they’ll all still be on the same standard. (Plus, the 6.8x51mm cartridge is a real barrel burner; if you’re a higher volume shooter, you’ll get maybe 5000 rounds out of it before accuracy is shot–pardon the pun–to hell.) But, we’ll see. So far the design has stuck around and been refined for over 50 years. Hell, people still use the 1911, and that’s over 100 years old.