smg762 said:

 Strikes me that a 20rnd stripper clip would save weight...

First, I doubt that 20-rd stripper clips are feasible.  The biggest I've seen for NGSW-size cartridges is 10-rd.

Second, if your idea is to get rid of magazines and modify NGSW rifles for top loading, stripper clips are not the way to go.

A much better option is the en bloc clip, like that used to load the M1 Garand.

But, en bloc or stripper, 10-rd or 20-rd, it does not matter.  There is not a snowball's chance in Hell that the military would ditch magazines and return to clip loading.

stancrist said:

ROFL.  In all that 100 years, can you cite even one documented instance of a mortarman targeting one specific enemy combatant, firing only TWO rounds and intentionally hitting him while he was running?

You do know mortar bombs detonate so you don't actually have to hit them with it?  And are we talking Olympic sprinters or something because 8 seconds is not a long time over a non running track carrying various things for your average person. And lets not ignore them lethal radius of the 81 mm mortar bomb being 30ish metres. So our mythical runner might have gone 50 metres and that is also the blast radius of the bomb. 

Red7272 said:

You do know mortar bombs detonate so you don't actually have to hit them with it? 

Wait, what?  Are you saying that mortar rounds are explosive???  Gosh, and here I've been thinking they are solid projectiles, like big bullets with fins.

Red7272 said:

And are we talking Olympic sprinters or something because 8 seconds is not a long time over a non running track carrying various things for your average person.

True, but in case you didn't notice, that 8 seconds was for a mortar firing at rather short range.  As range increases, so will time of flight.  Here's an instance where ToF is nearly double (14 seconds):  https://youtu.be/TfzyFvZzIH0?t=45

Red7272 said:

And lets not ignore them lethal radius of the 81 mm mortar bomb being 30ish metres. So our mythical runner might have gone 50 metres and that is also the blast radius of the bomb.

81mm mortars, you say?

Apparently you know little about 81mm mortar operation.

Unless we're talking about an 81mm mortar in a fixed position on a firebase, you first have to assemble the barrel, bipod, and baseplate before you can even think about shooting at that insurgent who took a few potshots at you.  That process will take you well over a minute.  https://youtu.be/Rcz5unaXwvQ?t=127  2:07-3:17

Then there's the  matter of aiming.  You can't aim an 81mm mortar like a rifle or grenade launcher.  It's much more complex, and involves more than one man.  Add another minute to your engagement time:  https://youtu.be/cLtgggPulu8?t=29  0:29-1:29

By the time you finally get to fire, the insurgent will be relaxing at home...  

stancrist said:

you first have to assemble the barrel, bipod, and baseplate before you can even think about shooting at that insurgent who took a few potshots at you.  That process will take you well over a minute.  https://youtu.be/Rcz5unaXwvQ?t=127  2:07-3:17

So your patrol is carrying an 81 mm mortar now? Aren't they already overloaded?  Wouldn't you leave it in a fire base to shoot in support?

Red7272 said:

So your patrol is carrying an 81 mm mortar now? Aren't they already overloaded?

Ever hear of a vehicle patrol?  An MRAP can handle the load.

Red7272 said:

Wouldn't you leave it in a fire base to shoot in support?

Apparently this unit decided they would rather have a mortar with them:  https://youtu.be/TfzyFvZzIH0?t=15

Where is your fire base that’s within 5650m of the insurgents that are 1000m from your patrol?

Why are you patrolling there?

stancrist said:

Ever hear of a vehicle patrol?  An MRAP can handle the load.

Every heard of an AGL why do they need a mortar then?

DavidPawley said:

Where is your fire base that’s within 5650m of the insurgents that are 1000m from your patrol?

Because you are securing the local population from the insurgent interference as part of a hearts and minds campaign with adequate numbers of troops, support and clear goals. 

If you dudes continue to talk about 81mm mortars, I won't resist the temptation anymore and I will start to talk about RPAs / UAS which carry mortar bombs right above heads of the adversaries. Please don't make me derail this thread

poliorcetes said:

If you dudes continue to talk about 81mm mortars, I won't resist the temptation anymore and I will start to talk about RPAs / UAS which carry mortar bombs right above heads of the adversaries. Please don't make me derail this thread

Well that would be an obvious solution but we are talking US army here.