The United States Secret Service is on the hunt for a new 5.56x45mm rifle. According to their request The United States Secret Service has a requirement for a 5.56 x 45mm rifle, equipped with full- and semi- automatic firing capability, for use in all environmental conditions, including when discreet carry and/or maximum concealment is required. The weapon shall be commercially available and exhibit a ‘manual of operation’ consistent with the existing/legacy M-16 family of weapons.

The Secret Service has also indicated that they will be utilizing the Mechanix Wear Vent gloves during testing. The magazines approved for the reliability and endurance testing are the Magpul PMAG 30 AR/M4, 5.56×45 magazines.

Below are the physical requirements listed out in their solicitation notice.

• The weapon shall be operable, without modification or alteration, by a right or left-handed user, firing with the right or left hand, depending on handedness
• All external metal parts of the weapon shall have a dark subdued, rust/corrosion resistant finish. The finish shall be unaffected by commercially available gun cleaning solvents, such as Simple Green, used in heated ultrasonic cleaning tanks. Flaking, peeling, blotching, etc. of the finish is unacceptable.
• The weapon shall be chambered in accordance with current U.S. Military specifications for 5.56 x 45mm, and function with assorted ammunition ranging in weight from 55 to 77 grains (to include all common SAAMI-spec and Mil-Spec ammunition) as well as frangible ammunition.

Dimensional Requirements:

• Height (no taller than, sights folded, w/o accessories or magazine) ……..…8.5 inches
• Weight (no heavier than, w/o accessories) ……..………………………………..7.5 pounds
• O/A Length (no longer than, w/stock fully extended)……………..………34 inches
• Barrel length (min – max)…………………..….…………………….…10-12 inches
• Rifling (5.56) ……………………………….……….……………….1 turn 7” inch twist RH

Operating System:

• The weapon shall utilize a direct-impingement gas-operated system or a shortstroke gas piston system.

Barrel:

• The barrel shall have a minimum service life of 15,000 rounds. Barrel service life is defined as a not exceeding 5 Minutes-of-Angle (MOA) and exhibiting no more than 125 ft/sec decrease in velocity (in accordance with USSS velocity testing procedures), with observance of offeror’s submitted maintenance protocols.
• The barrel shall be free of cracks, seams, and other injurious defects and the bore and chamber shall be free of pockets, rings, bulges, and other deformations. The bore and chamber shall be chromium plated, or of equivalent corrosion resistance. Any coating in the chamber and bore shall be free of nodules, flaking, pits, stripping, anode burrs and evidence of etched base steel. Burrs and sharp edges shall be removed from the chamber edges, and bolt locking lugs.
• The muzzle of the barrel should bear a thread size of ½” x 28 tpi, with shoulder geometry of 90.
• The muzzle should be equipped with a flash hider device, installed with shims as necessary. Crush washers are not acceptable.

Mode of Fire:

• The weapon shall be selective fire, i.e. semi-automatic and full automatic. A “burst limiter” in the full-automatic mode is not acceptable.

To read the notice it it’s entirety go HERE.

Photo courtesy of US Secret Service