CAVOK

Our guys would be better off if we bought semi auto Com Block Norinco AK’s!

And 45 Cal pistols, either 1911’s or modern variants such as the XD’s or Kimbers…

The list goes on, and the only thing that I have not heard bad sitreps about are the new shotguns that are being issued, and the various “DM’s” rifles. But even those are so heavy that they are crew served weapons when reality hits the oscillating rotating dung deployer. My Son’s unit ended up getting out some old, but still very usable M 21’s. Imagine that!

I wrote both of my Senators, and my Congresswoman about this sad state of affairs.

It’s been awhile but I remember those M14’s…

Norm

What the hell is wrong with the head honchos at the Pentagon?

The DoD needs to give OUR troops a weapon of that same power and reliability. Our troops deserve it!

I agree with that! I thought that 18 years ago!

I can only add that leading up to the ground evasion of Desert Storm I was extremely worried that my M16A2 was gonna jam. You, of course, have to keep them properly lubed up and once that ejection port cover is opened up after the first round it’s like ‘glue’ or a ‘magnet’ for sand and grit. It doesn’t take very long for it to be all over the ‘inside’ of your weapon either, the magazine well, inside your magazines, and when you’re in a firefight, or on the move during combat operations, you just can’t pull your cleaning kit out of the buttstock of your weapon and prop up against a tree, light a smoke, break your weapon down, and start cleaning it at your leisure.

Sand, dirt, dust and CLP doesn’t mix and at some point, and because it’s murphy’s law, it’s gonna happen when live rounds are being fired at ‘you’ and not blanks at combat town, Camp Lejuene.

Semper Fidelis.

The *gunslingers* have a bit of a different perspective than the paper punchers it seems…

We acquired surplus M-16s from the military for more in-car long rifles but I also told Exec Staff it’d be easier and cheaper to just buy new Colts. Nope. They wouldn’t listen. At first they insisted the M-16s simply be tossed — at fully AUTO — into the cars. I told them: this is damned STUPID. Our cops will take the “pray and spray” attitude. As opposed to the military, in civilian life EVERY round must be accounted-for.

I finally convinced staff to “armor-down” these rifles and remove all fully auto components. Which, of course, I had to account for because, naturally, when you take “free” things from the government they can reclaim at any time AND audit your storage and maintenance files. Finally, a year later, one member of staff said “yeah, we should have listened to you and just bought the ARs.” No shit, Buckwheat.

I avoided carbines and M4s. Colt’s AR-15s work just fine for us when you have Range staff that have attended Colt’s armoring school and can work on them easily. There isn’t much of anything with LESS recoil than a semi .223 — although an AK is like the Energizer Bunny. It truly does just keep going and going and going.

And did you know? The AK-47 is so designated because its first appearance WAS in 1947? That’s how old and immured its design is. Gas operated ain’t bad either. But the old Soviets took it one step further and made the MAGAZINES bulletproof as well. A step WE should look at also. Overall, an AK is slightly less accurate. The Soviets went with bulletproof, a lesser range, a necked round, stamped, wood, heavier product.

The NEW M-4s we currently carry? Quite frankly, I haven’t had my hands on one in almost 7 years. But if reliability is an issue — and who COULDN’T foresee that in a Middle Eastern dust and sand environment?? — then shame on US.

BZ

In answer to your question TG… if you want a job done, you darn near have to do it yourself. And Obamabots want to trust the government to provide for their needs???

It’s bad enough our finest started their tours over there with no body armor and no armored Humvees (thank you Billy Boy Clinton) but now they can’t even defend themselves in a fire fight.

Heads need to roll on this one – all the way around.

What do we have to do – supply our troops with Kalashnikovs?

Tailgunner

Some say, “well, the M-4 is more accurate at longer ranges”, OK, we have an App for that, sniper rifles, custom MADE for longer ranges…

At the normal range where *most* gun fights take place, the AK-47 is a hands down winner over ANY M-16, AR-15 or M-4…

Now we still have the Taliban and al-Qaida beat on heavy weapons, night vision, air support and all that, but for up close gun fighting, I swear, I honestly believe they have the edge.

I still love to hear all the folks talk about this gun and that gun, and then you ask em, “Ya been in many gunfights?”

Seems like that one always seems to piss a few people off…