We have been hearing about reliability issues with the M16 platform since it was first introduced in Vietnam. The original problem was blamed on the type of powder used in the ammo, but this lead to a redesign incorporating the forward assist feature. I have never had the misfortune of carrying the weapon system into combat, but I will this spring, and definitely know the weapons main shortcoming is exposure to sand and dust. I can tell you this. I jumped my M16 into Old Coe Lake DZ at Ft. Bliss. The rifle was in a weapon case, but within minutes of removing it and putting into action, it fired once before jamming. This was after it was carefully wiped dry of excess lubricant on the recommendation of our armorer.

People! It was 6 years before I held an "honest-to GOD Colt" in my hands (1973-1979)!! I had a GM Hydomatic, a Singer, and a Remington-Rand. "We" always griped about the "high maintenance" honey that we "cuddled" with!............and the Colt was NO better!!!
Bring BACK THE M-14, and maybe field an M-14 carbine. Maybe then, us former "grunts" wouldn't have felt it necessary to carry an illegal M1911A1, SKS or AK- or (my fave), a 12ga pump, as "back-up.
Ah-da-so ?

quote:

Originally posted by 11428607:
People! It was 6 years before I held an "honest-to GOD Colt" in my hands (1973-1979)!! I had a GM Hydomatic, a Singer, and a Remington-Rand. "We" always griped about the "high maintenance" honey that we "cuddled" with!............and the Colt was NO better!!!
Bring BACK THE M-14, and maybe field an M-14 carbine. Maybe then, us former "grunts" wouldn't have felt it necessary to carry an illegal M1911A1, SKS or AK- or (my fave), a 12ga pump, as "back-up.
Ah-da-so ?

Ummm......nothing illegal about a 1911A1 in '73-'79. It was the issue sidearm. Did you do a highly abbreviated tour in Vietnam in '73, where you felt the need to carry an SKS/AK47? None of the Singer pistols were ever issued, how did you aqquire one...and why did you carry such a rare and valuable weapon?

The M14 is far too large for the urban fighting we are engaged in. The M14, and SOCOM version, are too slow to fire, too heavy, does not carry a good ammo load, and the muzzle blast would take out friendlies inside these hajji houses. Not to mention the combat load would be comparitively tremendous.

Sir, I think you may be damaged from too much HALO-3.