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Forums10
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,464 Likes: 133
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,464 Likes: 133 |
Will, wounding rather than killing wasn't the theory behind the .223. There were various reasons, one of which is that the lighter the ammo, the more of it one can carry--which is particularly important if one's weapon has full auto capability. And it's interesting to note that many other countries, including our Cold War opponents the Russians, also went with smaller, higher velocity calibers.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,983
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,983 |
What Larry says is the way I remember it being promoted. Another reason is because of the relatively light recoil, it was easier to teach the troops to shoot it well.
> Jim Legg <
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 725
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 725 |
Well it was a good idea but in the outfit I was with you had to carry at least 20 mags or 400 rounds no matter what gun you chose to pack.To my thinking it took about twice as many .223 rounds to do the work of the 7.62 plus the gun was worthless as a cane.Best part of the AR was you couldn't get in trouble about rust on your rifle as it didn't rust,it was discololation and the Gunny hated it when you pointed it out.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,193 Likes: 146
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,193 Likes: 146 |
Larry and Jim are right. The weight soldiers had to carry was a main concern. Although, I watched an Americam Rifle type show (that was naming the top ten military rifles in the world) not long ago where they were shooting the M-16 at concrete blocks. It only took two or three rounds for the block to explode into pieces. Plus they were very accurate at long distances. If you remember the trial not long ago of the soldiers who were accused of shooting prisoners through the head and torturing them- they found out later that they were were shooting them from three hundred yards off. Very accurate at long distances. I heard they have recently made a larger round now for the M-16 in 3.16 caliber(or something like that- I can't remember). But next to the AR-15, the M-16 is considered by most to be the second best assault weapon ever. The only reason the AR-15 is considered the best is because it is almost indestructable, so many are made and they are easy to get parts for, parts easily interchange, they very seldom fail due to dirt and sand, etc.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,540 Likes: 3
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,540 Likes: 3 |
I heard they have recently made a larger round now for the M-16 in 3.16 caliber(or something like that- I can't remember). But next to the AR-15, the M-16 is considered by most to be the second best assault weapon ever. The only reason the AR-15 is considered the best is because it is almost indestructable, so many are made and they are easy to get parts for, parts easily interchange, they very seldom fail due to dirt and sand, etc. 3.16 caliber would be a bullet 3.16 inches in diameter. and you do know the AR-15 and M16 are the same gun except the AR is the semi-automatic commercial equivalent? saying the m16 is second best to the AR15 is like saying a garand is as good as a garand. i wasn't aware the m16 had such a sterling reputation for holding up in sand and dust. i thought the reverse was more true, requiring more than ordinary care.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,715 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,715 Likes: 114 |
I think Jimmy just mixed up the AR-15 and the M-14...Geo
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,672 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,672 Likes: 4 |
We were issued M-14's when I went to Vietnam in 1965,but my outfit,3rd Reconnaissance battalion, was pretty lenient about what you could carry as long as you could get ammunition for it. One of our platoon leaders carried a ak-47 another a Swedish K and one had an m-16 that he had obtained in a trade somewhere. This was before the marines were issued any m-16's.I liked the penetration of the 308 bullet as opposed to the .223. I suppose every advantage has a corresponding downside,but I want something that will penetrate more than I was concerned about weight.I was the radio operator and I carried 80 pounds plus,verified weight,when I was on patrol. i weighed 165 pounds then and did not know what being tired was when not actually on patrol,I was in outstanding shape as I had to be.I really like the M-14 and bought a Springfield M1A when they came out.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 725
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 725 |
RHD45 I was with First Force Recon co.7-66 through 7-68 DongHa,DaNang and Hue
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,672 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,672 Likes: 4 |
Yeah, I kind of thought so from some of your previous postings. We worked closely with 1st Force as you know and some of our guys ended up with Force . Do you remember a Sgt. Lefthand? or a kid named Fleishmen? They were both badly wounded with Ist Force. I wanted to go be in Ist Force but so bad I could taste it but ended up with 3rd Battalion and when my buddy was killed never followed up in being reassigned.Sure was a lot of hard work but with the greatest people I have ever known,for the most part.I still have my "Alice" pack and a lot of my other gear,the guys sent it to me when I rotated.I loved seeing the country and wildlife when not being occupied with staying alive.I'd love to go back and get lost in the area weat of Danang known as "Charlie Ridge".Still looking for the 30 foot python we were always worried about stepping on.
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