Posted on 01/09/2013 9:03:11 AM PST by GOP_Party_Animal
Just wondering - what is the "standard" capacity for magazines issued to our soldiers for the M-16 and M-4? 10 rounds? 20? Any difference from the Vietnam era?
30. Same.
Originally in Viet Nam they started with 20rd. The springs sucked. They switched to 30rd and use it to this day.
There are plenty of exceptions and special applications. Special ops uses 100 rd drum mags and the like. The biggest change since 'Nam is in the number of mags carried. Guys I know that served in the sandbox tell me that they routinely carried over a dozen M16 mags and 4-5 M9 mags. That's a lot of firepower.
I never used anything more than a 20-round in my ROTC, active duty, and reserve time from 1973-84.
I have a buttload of MILSPEC magazines I got for $9.95 ea in a good deal online a couple of years ago (CTD IIRC)....they are from various manufacturers with all the contract info, mfr. and FSN#s, still brand new - never loaded (yet).....they are 30 rounders.
AK-47 mags seem to be mostly 30 but I recall every time I would see an interview with Osama he would have one which was longer than standard, probably a 40 round one.
During most of Vietnam 20 round mags were used. Some guys taped two back to back for quick change. Advantages and disadvantages to that. 30 round mags made there way to Vietnam at the end.
bump for later
I still remember the criticisms of the M-16 when it was first adopted. It was clear that the WWII mentality was still at work.
1. The handle was too high exposing too much of the soldier’s head if fired above a barracade.
2.The magazine was too long making it impossible to use in the prone position.
3.Too light to be used in a bayonet charge. The buttstock too flimsy to be used to hit after the bayonet thrust.
4. A full auto blast would empty the firearm too fast causing a waste of ammo(shades of “that old fogey” Ripley).
In other words, excuses, excuses.
Many carried 2 or even 3 bandoleers. Also, magazine pouches on web gear/ALICE . But all were 20 round. In my day...Unfortunately, we were also ordered to load only 18 in each magazine as the springs were prone to "breakage."
You realize, of course, that you are sitting on a major asset today until the Feds come along and outlaw them.
2) Who EVER shoots prone in the field without finding SOMETHING to use for a rest? (And to take cover behind, if someone's shooting at you?)
4) Load more.
3) My favorite: "As long as I've got a round in the chamber, there ain't gonna be no bayonet fight."
*Some operators use the 100 rd. Beta C-Mag dual drum magazines.
Would you store magazines in a loaded condition, or would that weaken the spring?
At present they are fully legal, likely to still be legal for me when the Senate RINOs acquiese to the DEMs....I believe the House will stop the bill.
If/when things turn out different, well......they get sold or dispersed to friends.
I keep a couple three mags fully loaded and ready.....I swap out the loaded vs. unloaded on a few-week timetable.
“5. Carbine, cal. 6.67 NATO, M4 29 rd. or 30 rd.*”
Change: “6.67 NATO” to “5.56 NATO”.
Change: “29” to “20” rd. magazine.
“I have a buttload of MILSPEC magazines ...”
YOU sir are sitting on a goldmine!
I prefer my FAL or M1A1 to my AR for excuse #5, the 5.56 won't penetrate obstructions on its way to the target (cinder blocks, small trees, mud walls. And excuse #6, I might want to put something down at 500 yds.
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