Originally posted by Gedanken:
Yeah, they're coming up with a whole lot of shortened versions of weapons these days, and it's starting to go a bit far, as you've pointed out. The reduced lengths might be handy for jumps and FIBUA, but it seems to be moving away from the originally intended SAW role which requires the velocity that comes from longer barrels.
Given the reduced muzzle velocities, and in situations like Mogadishu where the enemy isn't weraing protective gear, perhaps projectiles that deform more easily would be the solution. That said, you'd probably have the Geneva convention to worry about then.
but they do not have to worry about Geneva convention in mogadishu as whom they are fighting with does not fall into the category of "legal combatants"