Posted on 09/26/2003 1:38:23 PM PDT by 45Auto
I was approached by a person the other day who asked me if I had such a big dislike for the Colt M-16 issued by the military, what weapons did I like? Well after a quick answer and some reflection I believe I have the answer.
First let me say that when the U. S. Navy sent me into combat on the river patrol boats in Vietnam, they issued me what I consider the greatest military rifle ever made. It was the M-14 in 7.62 MM NATO (.308 Caliber) with four magazines and ammo. This rifle had a selector switch that would cause it to fire full automatic if need be, however it controlled much better in the semi-automatic state. I still believe that this rifle is the best ever. I would like to see a down-sized version in the 5.56 MM (.223 Caliber) also built for the military. They could also put the synthetic stocks on it for keeping the weight down. Then our troops would have a great weapon for combat that would work and keep them alive and well defended.
Now let me say as a Gunners Mate most of my patrol time was setting behind the forward twin 50's. These were the .50 Caliber Browning Machine Guns mounted on the bow of the boat with the old air craft mount used in the bombers from WW II. I just can't say enough about this great weapon. From all the reports we are getting from our current conflict this is still one of the greatest weapons used by our military. Mr. John Browning was indeed a genius of weapons design. His military and civilian weapons are still some of the best ones over 100 years after he built them.
Another weapons system that we had favor for during my time in combat was the M-79 40 MM grenade launchers. They worked very well from our delivery vehicles in the water. We also got a Honeywell belt fed grenade launcher for these rounds after we were in country for some time and they were great. At our top speed we could put a grenade about every 40 feet on the land with them. We made good use of these weapons also.
As our job was to stop and search boats during the daylight hours we were also issued side arms and shotguns. Some had Smith & Wesson model 10's in .38 caliber and some had the 1911A1 .45 caliber semi-automatic sidearm's. I liked the 1911A1's the best. The shotguns were the old military pump action Ithica's in 12 Gauge. They were great shotguns and held up real well.
The other weapon we had on board that everyone liked was the M-60 Machine gun. What a great weapon. We learned that if you put a C-Ration Can on the belt feed side so the belt would feed over the can that this weapon would just keep working and working. It punched out those 7.62 MM NATO rounds with no problem, and was very devastating to the enemy. This weapon could be held like a rifle or fired from a mount and was very versatile for use on the boat. We all agreed it was one of the best we had.
Now I should say that we were also issued three Colt M-16 rifles with each boat. They were there and we used them for warning shots more than anything. They were kept real clean and worked most of the time. We learned that you could only put about 17 or 18 rounds in the 20 round magazines to keep them working good. Most others and I were not impressed with them.
So that kind of gives you a run down of why I still have strong feelings about what we are sending out troops into combat with. I know that some people got upset when I run down the M-16's and they have that right. My opinion is not just mine and is shared by many people today. I feel that our military made a mistake when they were forced into accepting this as the primary weapons system for our troops. Perhaps in the future we can get something that will be much better. Like I said I think the M-14 down sized to handle the .233 round something like the Ruger Mini-14 with a better barrel would be just the ticket.
God Bless America. God Bless our Troops still in Harms Way.
And here I thought I had expensive tastes. -:) All the same, the local gun store I frequent has a Wilson CQB in the display case. They know me there. I've bought a lot of guns from them. But I make a point of not bothering the sales people when I'm not seriously ready to buy.
Last week, I had them take out the Wilson. What a thing of beauty. And there's no way I can justify such a purchase, given my circumstances, which you know all too well. But then, if the clock is ticking on my list California auto pistol purchases, how can I not buy it?
Some dilemma, huh?
That would be a Ruger Mini-14. Or more properly an AC-556, the select fire version. (seen in absurdity as the favored spray and pray weapon on the old "A-Team" TV series). Perhaps with a little heavier barrell for better accuracy?
I have a "parts" gun contructed on a new receiver that was once (mostly) a Portuguese G-3, (although some interal parts do say H&K on them.
That said, many think the various versions of the FAL were better than the G-3. All three are good guns, (M-14, G-3, FAL).
I would think the longer range of the 7.62X51 would be even more usefull in open dessert than in a jungle. The only real downside is the reduced number of rounds that can be carried (as well as a heavier rifle to begin with), but for mounted combat, that is sort of an old dragoon, riding into battle, but fighting dismounted, that would be less of a factor than on a long range patrol in the jungle, or even mountains.
Of course there is. It's "its. That's just as much a possesive as "his", "hers", "yours" or "mine". It's just not a contraction, requireing an apostrohe, but rather a possesive pronoun. :)
That thing would ruin a bison's whole day! Or that of a Moose. Still would not want to touch one off inside my house, especially at night. triple ouch..eyes, ears and shoulder...oh and hopefully bad guy, and hopefully not bad guy and the neighbor a couple of blocks over.
That guy was Eaker! However he seemed OK a couple of weeks ago in San Antonio, although the scars still showed. (I bought a one year membership at that range today.. and fired a couple of hundred rounds of .45 ACP too)
Slainte,
CC
I'm not sure "tough" is the only adjective I'd use for someone banging away with a piece of catridge case in his breastbone. :)
I figured that out shortly after hitting "post". I was thinking of the 5.56mm HK-33/53, which is pretty much a scaled down G-3/HK-91. (Or a scaled up MP-5, I suppose)
My working rifle is an TRW laden M1A these days.
Stay Safe !
While the M60 can be modified into a decent GPMG, the VN era guns were often despised. Oddly, this fella's adored M60 is no longer in the Army inventory, replaced by the FN MAG M240B.
Just what we needed though, another tactical yahoo writing about how cool the M14 and M1911 are, while simultaneously bashing the most successful US service rifle IN HISTORY. How novel.
This should be followed closely by an article on how reliable Glocks are.
Define "successful". I would give that honor to the M-1 Garand, in terms of numbers built/issued and enemy killed, but that's IMHO. (and I've never even fired one!)
Sad but true
CC
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