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To: Onthebrink

I believe the gun with the longest in-service life is the Browning M2 .50 cal “Ma Deuce” that hits its 100 years in service this year and is likely to continue into the future.


5 posted on 02/05/2021 7:53:44 AM PST by T.B. Yoits
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To: T.B. Yoits
I believe the gun with the longest in-service life is the Browning M2 .50 cal “Ma Deuce” that hits its 100 years in service this year

You would be mistaken. Reading the article before commenting is an interesting concept!

7 posted on 02/05/2021 7:57:33 AM PST by Always A Marine ("When you strike at a king, you must kill him" - Ralph Waldo Emerson)
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To: T.B. Yoits
I recall reading while I worked in Canada about 10 years ago that the Lee Enfield was being retired from the Canadian Rangers. The closest thing I can describe the CA Rangers in US equivalent is a cross between a forest ranger and western US deputy sheriff. Rugged outdoorsmen that literally can survive in the bush. Many are First Nations or Inuit natives that grew up in the territories and northern extents of the provinces.

I recall another Canadian Ranger happening several years ago involving Americans winter overlanding. Two highly prepared trucks set out to travel the Alaskan Highway north then onto an ice road to a small village on the Arctic Ocean. The AK highway was was closed down by a blizzard then reopened so they continued north. It turned out the gate was only briefly open before closing again because another storm brewed up. Their trucks were the only vehicles on a 100+ mile stretch of road.

A Ranger was worried about their safety and headed into the storm to check on them. The American were fine, hunkered down with their trucks when he caught up. While everyone was talking, the Ranger (who was carrying his rifle) told them to look closely at a nearby ridge line. They saw several wolves sitting, watching. The Ranger told them the wolves were stalking them for dinner. And that's why they really valued the reliability of the reliability of the Lee Enfield.

The Lee Enfield was their standard rifle since WW1 and never replaced because of reliability. It worked at -40F, had adequate accuracy and stopping power including moose, bear and wolf. I understand it's been completely retired now but don't know what the replacement is. Maintenance issues finally became too burdensome. They were plum worn out.

15 posted on 02/05/2021 10:07:53 AM PST by Hootowl99
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