+ Reply to Thread
Page 3 of 3 FirstFirst 1 2 3
Results 21 to 27 of 27

Thread: The early days of the M16 rifle in Vietnam

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #21
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:53 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    5,075
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:52 PM
    Thread Starter
    Thanks for all the input chaps which is very interesting. It's a good idea of Jim's to get the book "The Black Rifle", thanks. I notice that there are 2 books with this title but I need the one that has "Retrospective" on the cover.

    I seem to recall hearing or seeing somewhere it suggested that the barrel was shortened on the "standard rifle" (not one of the derivatives) at some point? Would this be correct?

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #22
    Legacy Member imarangemaster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    09-19-2023 @ 12:24 AM
    Location
    Northern California
    Posts
    3,308
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:52 PM
    I have been shooting the AR15 platform since Army in 1974-77, the Air Force in 1979-81, and a s a shooter and LEO ever since. I have never had to use the forward assist, with the exception as part of an immediate action drill, where it wasn't really necessary. Like my M1icon carbines, I could count the malfunctions I have had in all those years and tens of thousands of rounds on one, or maybe at the very most two hands. While I never used it in combat, I did use it in field exercises, crawling in the dirt, dust and mud, and it still functioned.

    I prefer the "slick side" upper AR15s (601. 602, 604, SP1, and assorted USAF incarnations of the GAU-5 A/A and GAU5/P).

    As to the very early years, Advisers for MAC-V used AR15s (601s and 602s) in 1961-1964 as part of ARPA's project AGILE. I know several of those guys. They took better care of their weapons than the average grunt. The AR15 performed very well for them, and there is a lot about it in "The Black Rifle" including transcripts of early engagements. Stoner's team reccomended chrome plating the bore and chamber, but Macnamara and the Whiz Kids thought it was a waste of money...instead they wasted lives. Just like using the wrong powder, they wanted to save a buck.

  4. Thank You to imarangemaster For This Useful Post:


  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #23
    Legacy Member imarangemaster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    09-19-2023 @ 12:24 AM
    Location
    Northern California
    Posts
    3,308
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:52 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Flying10uk View Post
    Thanks for all the input chaps which is very interesting. It's a good idea of Jim's to get the book "The Black Rifle", thanks. I notice that there are 2 books with this title but I need the one that has "Retrospective" on the cover.

    I seem to recall hearing or seeing somewhere it suggested that the barrel was shortened on the "standard rifle" (not one of the derivatives) at some point? Would this be correct?
    The Black Rifler book is my bible! Another great resource is Retro Black Rifle.com Retro Black Rifle www.retroblackrifle.com
    and ar15.com retro forum AR-15 / M-16 Retro Forum - AR15.COM

    As for the shortened one, it was a model 605, with a 15.5" barrel, cut off just in front of the front sight base, and threaded for a three prong flash hider. They had to open the gas port quite a bit, because there was little bullet dwell in the barrel after the gas port. Modern replicas often use a carbine length gas system with a low profile gas block, and the FSB is only for the sight. Also most people do a 16" barrel to keep from needed a tax stamp for an SBR.



    ---------- Post added at 08:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 PM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by old tanker View Post
    I have used the forward assist to close the bolt after riding it forward while trying to chamber a round as quietly as possible.

    In most other circumstances, if the bolt traveling normally fails to close completely, the round is bent or some thing is interfering. If you are lucky, hitting the forward assist well let it chamber and normal firing will resume. If you are unlucky you will have jammed things to the point you can't get the round to fire nor can you get it out of the chamber. Worse, the bolt carrier will be out just enough, you will have trouble because it is partly in the buffer tube.

    By July of 1969, the Army was getting the word out to the troops...

    DA_Pamphlet_750-30
    Great Comic Book manual. I still have an original I got from the arms room in 1979. Pretty worn now, but very cool.
    Last edited by imarangemaster; 10-12-2017 at 09:53 PM.

  7. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to imarangemaster For This Useful Post:


  8. #24
    Legacy Member old tanker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:13 AM
    Location
    Fort Knox, KY
    Age
    74
    Posts
    347
    Real Name
    Emil
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:52 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by imarangemaster View Post
    Great Comic Book manual. I still have an original I got from the arms room in 1979. Pretty worn now, but very cool.
    In July of 1969 I was here:


  9. The Following 8 Members Say Thank You to old tanker For This Useful Post:


  10. #25
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 01:16 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,838
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:52 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Flying10uk View Post
    I notice that there are 2 books with this title but I need the one that has "Retrospective" on the cover.
    You NEED both. Don't cheap it out and just get the one. Also if you can find an updated or improved later copy take it. The first is basic and the second will embellish the first. I have both. Get them both and consume them. Then read them again...

    Quote Originally Posted by old tanker View Post
    In July of 1969 I was here:
    AND you made it BACK. Well done that. I'd love to sit and chat with you about tank action in that f*ckin' place...
    Regards, Jim

  11. The Following 4 Members Say Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:


  12. #26
    Contributing Member fjruple's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Last On
    10-29-2023 @ 04:38 AM
    Location
    New Jersey, USA
    Posts
    1,021
    Real Name
    Franklin Ruple
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    07:52 PM
    Folks--

    If you go to this link you will find just about every manual an book on the AR platform. Many are in a .pdf format and can be downloaded.

    RETRO MANUAL FOLDER - Google Drive

    Enjoy

    --fjruple

  13. The Following 3 Members Say Thank You to fjruple For This Useful Post:


  14. #27
    Legacy Member PWC's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    09-24-2023 @ 11:55 PM
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
    Posts
    35
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:52 PM

    Early days of the M16 in combat

    Major Culvericon, founder of the CSP Forum, was involved in the Viet Nam M16icon 'fix' and it is documented here:

    Welcome to Culver's Shooting Page

    and here

    Welcome to Culver's Shooting Page

    includes why McNamara's military industrial complex forsook the 30 cal, and the unknown changes to the ammo that precipitated the jamming problem, and an old marine armorer who took care of his troops with unauthorized field repair, and the eventual final fix after many unnecessary deaths.

    Good read, I've saved it to offline so if a website goes down I'll have it.

    ---------- Post added at 10:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 AM ----------

    I actually posted the web link but when I submitted the reply it only took the forum address.
    If you click on the address, in the header at the top of the page, go to the "Saga of the M16" which is where this is found.

    or

    in the url type http://www. then jouster2.com/Sagaof16Part1.html and jouster2.com/Sagaof16Part2.html

  15. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to PWC For This Useful Post:


+ Reply to Thread
Page 3 of 3 FirstFirst 1 2 3

Similar Threads

  1. M1 Rifle in use in Vietnam - Photo
    By Seaforth72 in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Rifles
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 05-18-2015, 01:14 PM
  2. Early Vietnam M1C Helmet
    By Harlan (Deceased) in forum Vintage Military Gear
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 01-06-2012, 07:55 AM
  3. Lots of early Vietnam M2 Carbine footage
    By imarangemaster in forum M1/M2 Carbine
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-25-2011, 11:12 AM
  4. Early use of No5 Mk1 Rifle
    By P-07ShortLee in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 10-23-2010, 04:13 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks