Quote Originally Posted by Peter Laidlericon View Post
Adding to that, we used to debrief those returning from ops regarding their weapons and there were very few adverse comments about the rifle. The GPMG was greatest thing that ever invented of course. And when others speak of the old A1 rifles faults (and we've had the A2 for 14 or so years now don't forget.....) they ought to remember that the old AR16/M16icon's had their troubles to start with too. Yep.......... I was there when we got the first issues as was my late colleague, Major Maurice Fogwell - who conducted the UKicon/Aust/NZicon jungle warfare trials.

Anyone remember the introduction of the L1A1 rifle too? I do - and recall the sharp cocking handle slide slicing two deep gouges out of your left hand. And having to unbreech and breech up the barrel at Base workshop level just to change a defective gas cylinder
How very true, the M16 was a disater when first introduced into Vietnam, many brave young men paid with their lives because of basic design flaws and catastrophic miss management by both the manufacturer and the D.O.D, it's inial problems were quite frankly appalling.