507th's weapons failed in combat, Army report says (M-16 Rifle)

El Paso Times ^ | July 10, 2003 | Diana Washington Valdez

[weambulance]

I have done some fairly extensive research on all aspects of the M16A2 service rifle and one of the topics that came up frequently was the reliability of the rifle. It's definitely a finicky piece, but I've also heard of tests being conducted where upwards of 5,000 rounds have been fired through the rifle without a single jam. As a soldier in the field, you have extremely limited access to ammunition, and I'd say 99% of the time you'll run out of ammunition long before you run out of rifle. I'd tend to agree with most everyone else in that this incident was the result of operator error, unless the quartermaster hated the unit enough to forget to include firing pins in the weapons :-\. Just my $0.02.

[xsrdx]

I'd tend to agree with most everyone else in that this incident was the result of operator error, unless the quartermaster hated the unit enough to forget to include firing pins in the weapons :-\. Just my $0.02.

Operator error, partly, but logisticians tend to neglect small arms as a rule. It's possible some of these guns had maintenance faults that had not been properly identified.

To an infantryman, his rifle is his salvation.

To the loggie, his rifle is usually extra baggage. Until you need it, that is.

[weambulance]

I think 'operator error' is a fairly broad term, including neglection of maintenance and, shall we say, 'knowing' your rifle. I've talked to many a non-infantryman and one thing I keep hearing is 'I'm a soldier first and a truck driver second.' Well, apparently not in this case, as a soldier lives and dies by his weapon. However, I don't have a base of personal experience to speak from because I'm not in the military (yet), so everything I say is merely conjecture at this point. You raise a good point.
This situation just conjures up images of Full Metal Jacket, when Joker's M16(A1) fails to go off at the end.. 'oh, f--k!!' Not trying to belittle the dead, so you easily offended readers hold off on the flames.

[colorado tanker]

Add to the mix the extremely adverse environment at that time of high winds and sandstorms, which meant daily or even more frequent cleaning and maintenance was demanded to keep small arms working. This unit had been on a continuous road march and I betcha the weapons hadn't been cleaned in a couple of days or more.

[go star go]

they work on broke stuff so they don't take the same care with their weapons as infrantry...

[Dubya]

Good post.
Dirty weapons will not work well if at all.

[Dubya]

ONLY 1000 gave. How sad