What the Troops Buy With Their Own Money

strategy page ^ | January 5, 2006

[Riley]

That’s always been the description of the Special Forces, so it’s not surprising that the better quality “regular infantry” are starting to adopt Special Forces techniques.

What a long way we've come from when RA types saw SF as a career-backwater haven for knuckle-dragging cretins who liked to play with knives.

[mcshot]

Interesting but wish there were more detail regarding brands and models preferred. I like the big bores and am particularly fond of both the .45 acp and 10 mm in revolvers and semi autos.

mc

[VOA]

Although the army and marines have bought a lot of them (the Benelli M4
Combat Shotgun is a particular favorite), there never seem to be
enough of them for some units (that spend a lot of time raiding
buildings in hostile neighborhoods.)

I'm no expert...but I'd think that an 8-round pump 12 gauge from Winchester
(or Mossberg, if still made) would be cheaper and probably get
the job done.
Not knocking Benelli, just wondering if some of our homemade brands
wouldn't do just as well.

[fso301]

Not knocking Benelli, just wondering if some of our homemade brands wouldn't do just as well.

Ithaca used to make a nice 10 guage.

[Emmett McCarthy]

Smart commanders, who care primarily about the well-being of their troops, have always been "lenient" about non-reg weapons. In Southeast Asia, a lot of guys recognized that conditions weren't the best for semi-automatic pistols so a lot of revolvers were more or less smuggled in. I've heard it was best to put in in your bag where the customs guy would find the bottle of liquor first and take that without going any further.

[Eagles6]

Quality 1911's I'm told. Also HK's, Glocks and Sigs. Heard one guy say he saw a lot of CZ's and liked 'em. I know Ruger just got a military contract for traditional DA's. They're good bang for the buck and made in the USA.

[AZ_Cowboy]

I'm pretty sure the M4 is a semi-auto, though. The Benelli is well-known for its very durable and reliable semi-auto mechanism.

I am not sure if the semi-auto is going to help them or not. I mean, with a shotgun, I can't imagine having need to kick out that many rounds that fast. Even if you do, you're gonna run out of shells real fast. The only way out of that would be to get them fitted with the speedloaders the tactical shotgun competitors use for matches.

[paltz]

so it’s not surprising that the better quality “regular infantry” are starting to adopt Special Forces techniques.

better quality “regular infantry”

Murtha wouldn't fit in here.

[ClearCase_guy]

But not the official issue 9mm pistol, but something with a bit more stopping power. The Special Forces prefer a new model .45 caliber (11.43mm) pistol

Interesting. I believe the .45 became standard issue after the US Army discovered it needed more stopping power to deal with Muslim insurgents in the Phillipines -- about 100 years ago!

[saganite]

Here's a great forum for 1911 discussion. Recommended for anyone thinking about acquiring one. I used it to narrow down and select mine.

http://forum.m1911.org/index.php?

[AZ_Cowboy]

What I am dying to know is whether or not the troops have access to the high-powered 10mm ammo or not. The 10mm loads available to the public are supposedly depowered.

[DJ Taylor]

"What a long way we've come from when RA types saw SF as a career-backwater haven for knuckle-dragging cretins who liked to play with knives."

Just curious, but what time frame would that have been?

[saleman]

" Combat troops have also found it useful to learn how to use the AK-47, whose larger bullet has more punch at close range, and is more useful when firing through ceilings and interior walls"

Yea, that's good training, "firing through ceilings and walls". Somehow I thought it was a good idea to be sure of your target.

[Louisiana]

Benelli... shots 5 shots of any type of 12 gauge ammo less than 1 second.

[Louisiana]

oops... SHOOTS 5 shots ...

[sig226]

Benelli M4 is a short barrel semi auto. Mossberg 590 is a 21" pipe, 9 shot, already available Parkerized. The DOD issues it for security. Both are alloy receivers, but the Benelli is sold with a pistol grip stock, I recall. On the Mossberg, it is an add on. Plus, the guys are willing to trade magazine capacity for maneuverability.

As far as I'm concerned, as long as I'm paying for it, they can have Benellis if they want.

[No Longer Free State]

Yeah. Now they're "COOL" knuckle-dragging cretins who like to play with knives.

[Bosco]

Springfield Armory has recently released a XD pistol chambered in .45ACP and .45GAP. Word has it they are pretty sweet and have a 13 + 1 capacity.

[Jim Pelosi]

If you only knew.... This is VERY effective technique. Many of the insurgents hide in mouse holes in the ceilings and drop down hand grenades or maltov cocktails. MOUT Ops(Military Operations on Urban Terrain) are probably the most dangerous operations of them all and require lots of on the spot decision making, skill, nerve, ferocity and some luck. If you go in to take a hostile occupied structure, someone is likely going to die. It's scarey beyond belief. Shooting thru walls and ceilings just makes our jobs safer, easier, and more productive.
Jim