What rifle did you carry

[Major Tom]

When you were in the military? I carried the M14 from basic to near the end of my "Nam' visit. M16 was then introdroduced to my unit mid 1967. We all loved the M14 while hating the M16. Which one did you prefer?

[nf1e]

Pretty much the same as yours. Trained with M14 and had one issued in RVN until they were taken away and replaced by an M16 in late 67. Our M16s never did work right and early 68 mine was replaced with an M3 and a 1911. Had to beg 45 ammo from the Seabees that were also at Chu Lai.


M14 3.jpg

[JohnMOhio]

In USAF basic training, we were exposed to the M-1 Carbine. All total from class to range was about 3 hours. After that, I had a couple of pens and a tool bag to work on the Bombing/Navigation/Radar System for the B-52. We also did "bore sighting." Results were exceptionally accurate and Top Secret at the time. Don't know about the classification today. I would guess some of you that were out in the field would know about its accuracy.

My time of active service was fall of 1959 to 1963.

[High Plaines Doug r]

1969-70 Basic we trained and qualified with the M-14 then, Infantry school we qualified with the M-16. I carried the M-79 for a little while once I got to RVN but got my M-16 back when they made me an RTO for the 4th platoon. I guess the M-79 isn't technically a rifle...

[PWC]

USAF Combat Control 1965-1967; M16A1 and .38 Combat Masterpiece, then Smith Corona 1911.

1972-1979; XM148 (stubby M16 later called the Commando) The father of the M4.

[Allen]

USAF Combat Control 1965-1967; M16A1 and .38 Combat Masterpiece, then Smith Corona 1911.

1972-1979; XM148 (stubby M16 later called the Commando) The father of the M4.

Smith Corona 1911?

[lyman]

xm148 is a grenade launcher PWC, was that mounted to the XM177 or GAU something?

[PWC]

Sorry, should have been more specific; XM148 was attch to the M16. A beast with a Rube Goldberg trigger and useless sight. With practice KY windage was just as good. On a good day with no one shooting at me, I could do 3 rounds in the air with an M79....XM 148...what can I say...glad to see they made it better for the M4 platform.

Coming back to CCT, M16s were gone, replaced with GAU5s. Slings attch to collapsible butt and 1k lb suspension line to the front sight triangle, so with the butt collapsed it would hang across lower chest and could be managed with one hand.

1911, yup, I believe it was S M, a typewriter company any way.

[Allen]

1911, yup, I elieve it was S M, a typewriter company any way.

A Remington Rand perhaps? I know SC made 1903 rifles.

[PWC]

Yeah, probably was a Rem then. I know it rattled when shook. I didn't think it would be very accurate. When I had to qual, I was the only one with a .45. Allthe rest were aircrew with their .38s. I shot the hell out of the batter boards and didn't qual. Back at the section, my NCOIC got a can of ammo from the CONEX container and told me I had a permanent place on the firing line until I qualed. Next day the range Master sent me to the other side of the range away from the aircrew. One of the old range guys came over to help me. He shot my 1911 very well...so much for inaccurate. I shot morning and afternoon I didn't have to go thru the care and cleaning part the aircrew did, only shooting for qual. I qualed 2nd day but still had a lot of ammo to shoot. The range said it would take 2-3 days for my card to get back to my duty section unless I hand carried it. I chose to let them mail it thru distribution while I continued to shoot. Still have the ammo box.