M27 to replace SAWs?

This is plain idiotic.

How the fuck do you shoot, move and communicate if you can't keep the bad guys heads down?

If you want precision fire then add a Designated Marksman to your Infantry Companies.

You don't reduce the number of SAWS that you deploy.  This from Military.com.

Gunners shooting the M27 have been getting first-round hits on targets beyond 300 meters much more consistently than they have in the past with the M249, Clark said.
"In the training, the Marines were employing it in the semi-auto mode until they closed within 100 meters or so of the enemy and then switch to full auto to provide very accurate high rates of fire," he added. "We don't lose the ability to gain fire superiority."

and this....

Marine weapons officials also maintain that the improved 30-round magazine that the Army developed for the M4 carbine and the M16 is working well in the M27.

Some are concerned that M27 gunners are not being issued higher-capacity magazines. Program officials have not ruled this out as a possibility for the future, but for now, gunners will carry about 22 of the standard 30-round magazines for a basic load.
"We are looking at the potential for high-capacity magazines, but right now the new service magazine with the brown follower is working really well," Clark said. "We have had no issues."

Read the whole story, but this is a STUPID.  INSANE.  POTENTIALLY TRAGIC STEP BACKWARDS.

Can anyone say Browning Automatic Rifle?  Who put these bastards in charge????