[drjimmy]

The weapons were not defective--only the soldiers' maintenance of those weapons.
And you know that how?

[Poohbah]

I've fired the M16, M203, and M249 during my service in the USMC. They will operate properly if they are maintained properly.

[Centurion2000]

The weapons were not defective--only the soldiers' maintenance of those weapons. And you know that how?

Before ANY patrol/movement with possible contact to the enemy you should
1) clean your weapon
2) do a function check on the same weapon.

Anything less is criminally negligent by any trooper, marine or NCO running them.

[Rusty Shackelford]

Jamming is just a term meaning the rifle would not work properly. Usually has to do with a feed problem. If the weapon is dirty at all, any problems is has will be magnified.

The M-16, the SAW and the M-60 all must be cleaned and maintained after each use. Some of these weapons are from the Vietnam era and have multiple sources of ware that will cause the weapons to fail if allowed to get dirty.

If you are in a non-direct combat unit, you are not focused on your weapon and don't have the experience of it jamming after an day of hard use.

I will bet that they were issued weapons that were rejects from an infantry unit. This is why the loss of the records is important to saving careers.

[Redleg Duke]

Those weapons are reliable, but like any other mechanical object, they need to be maintained.

"Ash 'n Trash" units are notorious for neglecting their personal weapons.

[tophat9000]

The weapons were not defective--only the soldiers' maintenance of those weapons.

And you know that how?

I would have to agree with Poohbah on this

This is not intended to be a derogatory comment but this Companys was normally not to be in front line combat there the second or third string (again not intended to be a derogatory comment)

There maintenance of there weapons might also be second or third string it might be “natural” but not acceptable

Compounding the problem is the front line troops get the first rate weapons as they should.

The second or third string might get the older weapons so you have a viscous cycle.. the troops that might tend to have the bad habit of doing less weapons.maintenance get the weapons that required the most...you have to be aware that this might be the way it is and keep on top of it

The Marines have it right EVERYONES a combat rifleman this is not bravado its common sense ... if you in the back ranks and get the old weapons guess what you have got the time to do what’s needed to keep your weapon in top working order