XM-8 Rifle

I don't know how many have heard of this rifle, but it is supposedly better than the current service rifle because of durability, and how it stays cleaner for longer because of the drive system. What do you think?

For some info refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XM8_rifle
and http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m8-oicw.htm

It is a derivative of the G36 as it is also engineered by H&K. The XM8 may perform well but the real test is the battlefield.

The Australian T2 MK5 of the 1980s has a self cleaning gas system that worked well but lost to the AuSteyr F88.

There was a semi-battlefield test done, Marine Corps Times published a couple of articles regarding the M4 vs a few other carbines. The difference is that the M4/M16 type rifles use the gas tube that uses the gas from the chamber to move the bolt it self. While the XM-8 and the other rifles that were tested use a piston drive rod type system where the gas pushes a rod that moves the bolt.

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Food for thought.