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Posted by Mark C on Tuesday, January 01, 2008 at 01:33:39 :
In Reply to: Re: The old girl is back posted by M Fanoni on Monday, December 31, 2007 at 17:45:26 :
During Viet Nam I worked on many weapons systems including the M61A1 Vulcan,minigun and M16. I was issued a CAR 15 Commando with a 11" barrel which I never felt really protected with. The Stoner AR family is a faulty design from day one. Gas impregnated operating systems are plain dirt and fowling magnets. A short barrel carbine like the CAR 15 or M4 is even worst than that P.O.S M16.With such a short gas tube like the M4, fowling starts accumilating around the first 100 rds.Stoner's rifle has been tinkered with since day one to make it more reliable with modest success. I've shot them all during and since my military days.And Service Rifle Competion with the M1,M14 and AR15. If I could have only one weapon of choice it would be hands down the M14,with a quick detachable scope system.
The US military's modern day problems stem from the early 1960s when marksmanship training was dropped in favor of high volumes of rounds down range. We jumped on the WW2 German STG44 design of intermediate round with light weight short rifle and select fire,hence the Assault Rife.But we somehow moved toward the Russian mindset of just put as many rounds down range as possible and you will overpower your enemies.I've always thought a 12 man squad should have three to four armed with a 7.62mm battle rifle and taught marksmanship. If I was still young enough to be over in the mideast,I'd beg, borrow or steal a M14 and then feel rest assured as I can take them out at longer ranges or shoot though buidings to get them in street fighting.Something the 5.56mm round can't and never will do.
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