The 50,000 would be in addition to the 11,000 already ordered, the Marine Corps Times has reported. The initial order was to replace most M249 Squad Automatic Weapons in Marine service, with the SAW held in reserve.
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller had praised the weapon in April and said he was considering it for more general issue to Marine combat units to replace the M4. The M4 is the carbine version of the M16 rifle, which has been used under a number of variations for nearly 60 years.
"Everything I have seen suggests that the M27s we have been using for some time have been the most reliable, durable, and accurate weapons in our rifle squads," Neller said in a statement.