USMC small arms in the Korean War

[Stumbler]

The M1919A6 was really the first US attempt at a GPMG, to counter the MG34 or the MG 42. It was generally considered to be a failure because it was still too heavy and the bipod was too weak and not very stable. (bipods were a common weak point on early LMG/GPMG attempts.) I guess it's possible that they were present during the Chosin period- I don't know-, but most units stuck with the M1919A4 config, with tripod. Far more stable and effective.

As far as the .30 Carbine, I think most of the stuff about it's "lack of stopping power" is urban legend- or old wives tales. Consider: The .357 Magnum was long rated as the top fight-stopping handgun. They used to talk about it being able to crack the block on a car. The FBI swore by it. so: .357 = 125 grain bullet, MV 1400 fps, ME 584. .30 Carbine 110 grain bullet, MV 1992 fps, ME 965!

The .357 benefits by not having to be a fmj, since it isn't an official military round. It is a tiny bit bigger around, and a tiny bit heavier. But the .30 Carbine wins, hands down, in terms of striking power. Not to mention accuracy from an 18" barrel.

No, it isn't a 300+ meter weapon. Bad bullet design for longer ranges. But under 200 meters, its intended envelope, it's plenty powerful enough not to be stopped by padded uniforms! Don't shoot me with one.

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[PhillipM]

As far as the .30 Carbine, I think most of the stuff about it's "lack of stopping power" is urban legend- or old wives tales. Consider: The .357 Magnum was long rated as the top fight-stopping handgun. They used to talk about it being able to crack the block on a car. The FBI swore by it. so: .357 = 125 grain bullet, MV 1400 fps, ME 584. .30 Carbine 110 grain bullet, MV 1992 fps, ME 965!

The .357 benefits by not having to be a fmj, since it isn't an official military round. It is a tiny bit bigger around, and a tiny bit heavier. But the .30 Carbine wins, hands down, in terms of striking power. Not to mention accuracy from an 18" barrel.

No, it isn't a 300+ meter weapon. Bad bullet design for longer ranges. But under 200 meters, its intended envelope, it's plenty powerful enough not to be stopped by padded uniforms! Don't shoot me with one.

Up the street from my office lives a Korean vet who served in the artillery. He isn't a gun enthusiast, although he used to hunt and carries a pistol for self defense. While speaking to my father, another Korea vet, I asked what he carried and he said a carbine. I asked if there was any truth to the lack of stopping power, not penetrating the uniforms, etc., he just looked at me and said, "I didn't find that to be the case."

I related that on the 03 board years ago and an Army Captain from Vietnam said he saw an enemy soldier shot in the magazine chest pack with one that knocked him down but did not injure him. I still wouldn't want to be shot by one.

[Stumbler]

I related that on the 03 board years ago and an Army Captain from Vietnam said he saw an enemy soldier shot in the magazine chest pack with one that knocked him down but did not injure him. I still wouldn't want to be shot by one.

Incidents of shootings and bullet performance are strange things. The ones that don't go as expected are the most remembered and retold (and sometimes exaggerated? no...!) I don't doubt that story. A lot has to do with factors like angle, range, etc. I've seen a few odd ones personally- like a 7.62X39 glance off a metal button (not mine)- but at an extreme angle. Left a helluva bruise.

But you can often question the "everybody knows" stuff. Like "everybody knows" the 5.56 from an M4 won't stop a man. BS! I'd rather have a 6.8, given a choice, but the M4 mostly works just fine.

So, "everybody knows" the .30 Carbine was useless against the padded Chinese. Well, maybe so, if you hit the padding and not the person. Or, if you tried to shoot him at 500 meters. But, although it wasn't as effective as a 30'06, in a straight on solid hit to near center of mass, at under 200 meters, it's a very effective weapon indeed. The authors of Fox Company, I'm convinced, were just repeating "war stories".