Sniper's skills keep buddies alive

USA TODAY ^ | 12/26/03 | Matthew Cox

[11th Earl of Mar]

From his own rooftop position, Davis tracked the man through the sight of his M-14 rifle.

OK, I am confused.

Who had the M-14 rifle, our guy or the Iraqi?

This sentence is so poorly written, I spent the rest of the article wondering why our snipers would be using a 40 year old weapon.

[LouisianaLobster]

The likes of George S. Patton spent their entire working lives in service to their country and preached effectivness in battle to the nth degree with out ever saying anything sick or pathological as you ascribe to those who were and are Men and who have secured for you your freedom.

I was not saying that sniping is not a valid tactic in warfare. Our troops must do whatever it takes.

[happydogx2]

They aren't using 40 year old weapons...they are using new weapons with superior accuracy with a caliber and name that have been around for 40 years.

happydogx2

[Imal]

"Who had the M-14 rifle, our guy or the Iraqi?"

It may very well have been an M-14 rifle that Sgt Davis was using, but if so, it was most likely the match-grade sharpshooter version designated M-21.

[tillacum]

Civilians just don't understand.

[budwiesest]

spotted his target: an armed Iraqi on a rooftop about 300 yards away.

Now that's gettng down-range!

.50-caliber XM-107 rifle

Cool, a .50 cal. radio-rifle!

[neverdem]

BANG TO THE TOP

GOOD HUNTING, MUST BE COOL HUNTING BEFORE SUNRISE AND AFTER SUNSET

HAPPY NEW YEAR

[mrs tiggywinkle]

Excellent response.

For Christmas I bought my husband the book *Marine Sniper-93 confirmed kills* by Charles Henderson. It's the story of Sgt Carlos Hathcock. He's on vacation for a week and looking forward to delving into it.

[Cogadh na Sith]

pwn3d!

[ballplayer]

Try Thinking he is not a wuss like you

[LouisianaLobster]

Nah i'll just think "oh well, there are enough asswipes that the world needs to get rid of"

[Keith]

...you sound like a fellow Counter-Strike player...

Storm the Front!

[jerri]

"It's kind of a professional insult to get shot at by another sniper."

I guess it is!

[Publius6961]

I honestly don't know what i would think if my 12 year old kid would say 'when i grow up i want to shoot people through their heads'.

I do now what I think of a so-called adult who would invent those words and ascribe them to a 12-year-old.
Unless I missed it in the narrative? Help me out here.

[Texas2step]

Even I could hit something with this baby...

From the article, On Dec. 20, he killed one sniper with a single shot from a .50-caliber XM-107 rifle from 750 yards away.

Yeah, something. But at 750 yards?

[Criminal Number 18F]

It may very well have been an M-14 rifle that Sgt Davis was using, but if so, it was most likely the match-grade sharpshooter version designated M-21.

M21 is a Vietnam era sniper system. What Davis has is a regular grade M14. A quantity of them have been supplied to the Stryker units for designated marksmen. The only modification is a rails system for mounting optics and other ancillary devices.

They were also given special training using a contract instructor who is an expert combat shot (and retired officer). Sgt Davis attended this training last year.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Uncle Jaque]

RE:

" 7.62x51mm vs. 7.62x39mm. Skill and finesse vs. hate and bumbling..."

Bear in mind, some of these jihhadists are known to carry 7.62 X 54R in various configurations, including the "Druganov" sniper rifle, which seems to have earned a modicum of respect in Afghanistan.

Although an antique by today's standards, there are still a few of the old Russian Moisin-Nagant M-91/30s floating around, and they have been picking people off from Stalingrad to Vietnam quite effectively for over a Century now.

Our Troops in VN quickly developed a healthy respect for the old M/N in the hands of a competent enemy Rifleman.
Given the abundance of all sorts of odd old weaponry in the Middle-East, I would be surprised if some of the Islammonazis are not toting a few of them around yet.

Anyone attempting to "snipe" at anything beyond about 100 meters with an AK would be, IMHO, quite the optomist - and probably a rather stupid one at that!

[xm177e2]

I honestly don't know what i would think if my 12 year old kid would say 'when i grow up i want to shoot people through their heads'.

Military snipers generally go for shots to the center of the chest. Police snipers are the ones who try for headshots.

[sd-joe]

It's a great book. I am sure your husband will enjoy it.

[Criminal Number 18F]

Previous thread, army times version of same story, with photographs;

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1046129/posts

Note the .50 weapon someone posted here is not the XM-107; the military weapon is a new version of the Barret semi-auto, not too different from the weapons Barrret has made for 20 years. It does give you a feeling of power to take the prone behind that thing. I've only shot it on the range. It's not unusually accurate.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F