Army Receives First Shipment Of XM8 Carbines

The Firearm Blog reports that the Army has received its first batch of XM8 carbines, although the number of carbines received has not been disclosed. However, the article states that "the Army has now confirmed that 'the XM8 Carbine is set to replace the M4A1 carbine for Soldiers in the Close Combat Force.'" "Close Combat Force" refers primarily to infantry, cavalry scouts, and combat engineers--the very people that were supposed to get the M7. Thus, it sounds like the M7 is on the way out and the XM8 will be issued instead. The article also mentions that the Army has been referring to its optic for the weapon as the "M157" rather than the "XM157" suggesting that it has officially been adopted.