XM8

"This new generation rifle, based on the G36 is known for it's ergonomic design and its use of reinforced polymers in its construction. Its reduced recoil and versatile parts makes it a very reliable weapon."

- The Arsenal



The XM8 is a very unique Assault Rifle. It was first leaked through the Combat Arms: EU website, and was later released on 01-24-11 in the first ever "Preview Sale" for 24 hours only. It was officially released on 02-02-11, giving 2 weeks to purchase it permanently.

Overview
The XM8 is much lighter than the G36E. Its low recoil/spread and relatively powerful damage (4 points below the G36, 41) makes it very efficient in any type of combat. What it lacks in power, the XM8 makes up for with its high rate of fire and high portability making it feel like a tricked-out G36KE. As far as recoil goes, it seems to be mostly upward which makes it easier to control than its predecessor.

In Real-Life
The XM8 was a developmental U.S. Military designation and project name for a lightweight assault rifle system that was under development by the United States Army in the early 2000s. The Army worked with the German small arms manufacturer Heckler and Koch (H&K) to develop the system to meet its requirements in the aftermath of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) contract, for which H&K had been a subcontractor to ATK. Although there were high hopes that the XM8 would become the Army's new standard infantry rifle, the project was put on hold in April 2005, and was formally cancelled on October 31, 2005, due to geopolitical politics originating from within the Department of Defense.

The Preview Sale
"Soldiers!

Are you a trendsetter? Are you always listening to songs months before they're on the radio? Do your friends look up to you for your savvy shopping tips? Then this sale is for you!

You now have the opportunity to be the envy of your friends and enemies on the battlefield with an exclusive Preview Sale."

- Combat Arms Command

On 01-24-11, an authorized Preview Sale allowed "trend-setters" to purchase the XM8 early on. The sale lasted for one day (01-24-11 through 01-25-11), starting and ending at 4:00 PM PST. The sale worked both ways, since players did not have long to try out the weapon to their liking, but it also allowed those who purchased it to obtain a powerful new gun first and even Permanently. It then went on resale for 2 weeks as people complained they didn't have enough time to buy it. It was on sale from Feb. 2-16. http://combatarms.nexon.net/News/View.aspx?boardNo=101&contentNo=00At

Tactics
Being almost akin to a G36E "clone," the XM8's greatest strength lies within its tap-firing abilities. The "bouncy" recoil and rapid recovery allows players to tap-fire the XM8 at a somewhat higher rate than the G36E. The recoil and recovery is such that, while scoped, the XM8 can actually be fired on full-auto for 5-6 rounds, with most of them hitting the intended target.

Though the XM8 is more user-friendly than the G36E, it is still not "noob-friendly." The weapon is only as good as the user - only an experienced player can fully utilize the XM8's strengths.

Trivia

 * The XM8 was one of the top-requested weapons in the Forums.
 * It was the first gun to be featured in a preview sale.
 * This gun was the third gun to be on sale for permanent duration for a limited time. The first was the M1866, and then the XK-8 Tactical.
 * This is the first gun to have a permanent duration sale twice.
 * The description is misleading since the XM8 and the G36E have the same recoil. Recoil is the increase in crosshair spread, NOT the recoil pattern, which is never listed in any statistic.
 * If one looks at the weapon while it is reloading, they'd notice the safety selector switch is flat and not a 3-dimensional object.
 * The side of the rifle's scope states that it is a 4x rifle scope.
 * In real-life the gun can be used with the iron sights with attachable scope.
 * If looked at a third person view the XM8 on the right side will say XM8 backwords as 8MX
 * This gun is somewhat similiar in stats to the M6A2 SRT as the XM8 boasts a higher accuracy and suprisingly fast firing rate, the only drawback is that it has higher recoil.
 * If one purchased a XM8 for permanent during the Valentine's Day Weekend,they would get a Tiger Strider for 90 days; disappointing people who purchased the XM8 permanently during the Preview Sale

Media
thumb|left|300px thumb|314px|left|Recoil test