The Marine Corps Gazette had a very nice insert, this month, on infantry battalion weapons. There have been big changes since I retired from the reserve.

The M9 9mm pistol is the same as at the end of my career. It is similar to one that you can buy, and maybe not as good as some of the more expensive civilian models.  We may go back to a .45, but not the 1911.

The M4, is a 5.56 rifle that is sort of an improved M16. It looks like the civilian, semi automatic, “assault rifle wannabes”, but is capable of fully automatic fire, and can fire 700 to 950 rounds per minute. That rate of fire would quickly overheat it, and would  burn through available ammo fast, but it makes a modern day “Banzai” attack about as likely as a Calvary charge.  

For info on the other 17 weapons listed, you can go to the website, and look up the July issue.

It is interesting (at least to me), to note that the M2/M2A1 .50 machine gun is the same as when I got to use it,,,,,,,,,and it was old then.