Vets and their M16's

[DaveHH]

Because it was early, I lucked out and had a signal corps MOS. I was a telephone lineman when drafted so....If Ma Bell had an a$$ I would have dropped down on my knees and kissed it. I went from the 5th Inf Div to Vietnam may 1966 up in IICorps. We all had full automatic M14s, mine was brand new in the box H&R.
There were almost no M16 around. The inf maneuver battalions in the 1st Cav, 25th, 101st and later 4th were the people who had the 16s. The 1st Div down south was still using the M14 as was the Marine Corps. The only place I saw M16s was in these Inf units. The units that deployed with 16s had no problems with the jamming situation because they had trained extensively with them before deploying (1st Cav). The M16s I saw were all forward assist weapons. ARVN and Korean units were still using WW2 weapons. I qualified Expert with the M14 and liked it very much. It was used very little as my duties were almost always convoys and babysitting expensive stuff up into Pleiku or AnKhe by air. Funny thing, I now own an AR and wish I had an M14.

[mikea1022]

I found this thread while doing research on the rifle I was issued in basic. I was not "into" guns back then so I know very little about the one I had. I would like to build something similar to it and I am trying to find out what model/brand/type it is. I know the photo is of pretty bad quality. It was a Polaroid which I scanned.

I went through basic training in August 1973 at Ft Leonard Wood (B-4-2). This photo was taken around that time. I had never fired a gun before then but hit 79 out of 80 targets during qualification. If anyone knows what version this M16 is, I would like to learn all I can about it.

Somewhere I have a photo of the M16 I was issued in Germany. If I can locate it, I'll add it to this thread.

Thanks!
Mike

Attachment 79670

[oger]

I used quite an assortment of weapons after being drafted in 67. Basic training was with an M-14 with the selector switch removed. I still believe it was the finest weapon I used in the military. Next was a jam-o-matic M-16 in AIT at FT Polk. It was so unreliable that it was impossible for me to qualify with it so the DI faked my score to get me through. When I got in country they gave me a brand new A-1 it was better than the jam-o-matic but as soon as possible I got an M-79 and later an M-60. The 60 had some quirks mainly the the gas system piston but if you stayed on top of you were fine. WE didn't have time or the means to make any changes to anything except maybe losing the safety on the M-79 when you took it apart.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Looks like a standard M16A1.

[burb1989]

Hi...my name is BEAR....I am also a reallocator of military resources.....I too, liberated a machete from my platoon's ahkio....and a shell deflector for left handed shooters.....oh yeah, and an early 20 round waffle magazine from the arms room....and I have WW2 e-tool I wuz issued. I've been a baaaaaad boy.

Wow I had no idea that others smuggled so much of their issue gear home though my dad's gear takes the cake. He volunteered to go to Vietnam in 1966 and ended up in the 1st Marine Division in the 7th Marines. He started off with the M14, which he loved, but when his unit converted over to the M16 my dad hid his M14 bayonet in his sea bag and thus he began a plan to bring home most of his stuff. By the end of his tour in January of 68 he smuggled home three sets of fatigues (one of which I still have), his ww2 e tool with cover, his back pack with poncho, his web belt complete with his canteen, two field dressing kits from 1944, and his prized mk 2 knife. By the end of it his only original gear he turned in was his helmet, boots, pistol, and mag pouches. Everything else he had scrounged up around the base and turned them in as his own. He also got home a VC flag as well as an sks in his sea bag. Luckily he was never checked for any contraband and I have them all displayed in my collection as he wore them in the field.

[browningautorifle]

Looks like a standard M16A1.

I agree, looks to have a couple early features, like the straight taper slip ring.

I went through basic training in August 1973 at Ft Leonard Wood

Welcome to the forum, you joined about 6 months before I did. Interesting seeing the different army pic from the same time.

[Brian Dick]

Yep, it's a bog standard M16A1. It could be manufactured by Colt, H&R or Hydramatic Division of General Motors. I'm told Colt is going to produce a semi auto collector version of the M16A1 and XM177 but I'm not sure if they're available yet. You can build one if you want. All of the early parts are available as new production from places like Brownells and Nodak Spud. Check out their websites.

[breakeyp]

My Cousin sent a pair of fatigues home from Vietnam. Somehow the post office got involved and agents visited his mom and took them back and he got a tail chewing out of it.

[MikieG]

I have been looking for both of those. Waffle mag for an early clone and the deflector for left handed reasons.

I bought the oroper deflector from Burns Surplus on I44 in Missouri. I thinkni posted the phone number in the thread i started in vintage gear.

[MikieG]

Ok. First off, gear adrift is a gift. Secondly, there was only ever one thing stolen in the Army. The rest was a result of everyone trying to get their gear back!
One of my Sgts had a "warehouse". It was a secret wall locker that housed 10s of canteens hundreds of magazines and every other T/A50 you could imagine.
I entered the Army in 89. I trained 12b at Ft. Leonard Wood. My basic training rifle was an H&R M16A1. That old rifle shot true and NEVER let me down. I searched and i guess i never wrote the serial number down. The only things i have to remember that rifle by are 1 class A wall locker pic and burn scar on my right forearm (left handed shooter).
The new Colt A1 is selling at well over 2 grand and is not quite correct. I built an A1 from used parts and AR15sport.com. I used the DelTon 1-12" twist gov 20" chrome bore/chamber barrel. On my A2 camp perry rifle i used the DelTon 1-9" twist HBAR chrome bore/chamber 20"barrel. They are both excellent shooters.
Any of you guys with the retro bug, AR15.COM has a retro forum as well as a dedicated A2 forum. Those guys are totaly anal about this stuff!!.
I love to read everyones storys. You guys are why i enlisted!
Interestingly, the A2 was my love. But after finishing her i just had to build the A1. Once done, she is my all time fav. Kinda like your first kiss. You always remember her fondly.
Another side note. Even though i am a product of the M9, on my 45th birthday i gifted myself my 1st .45acp. Is is a Springfield Armory 1911A1 Mil Spec. After changing out the lawyer device mainspring housing for a real WWII one with lanyard loop, she is perfect. For some reason i feel like a true military pistol should have a lanyard loop. Not really a gun for a lefty, but i love her none the less!!!!!!