It was the rifle I used in basic training at Ft Ord in 1961. It was very loud, especially with one’s ears a few inches from where the round fired. I’m still half deaf in my left ear, the one left exposed when I fired prone on the firing range. I pressed my right ear against the stock and thus saved most of my hearing in it, though it caused me to “bolo.” In 1961 no ear protection was used at Ft Ord. I guess it was thought to be only for sissies. I tried putting cotton in my ears. A Sargent asked me who told me to put it in. “Nobody, Sargent,” I answered. “Get it out,” he ordered.
LOL...”Get it out.”
I could almost hear him saying that in a flat voice.
My dad lost most of his hearing in WWII in N. Africa, Italy,
and Germany - the rifles, the bombs, the machine guns and
the rest of the ordnance were so loud. I hope they’re using
some sort of ear protection now. :o(