In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Why do they carry the rifle like that?
SahaganBeta
Member Posts: 291 ✭✭✭
I don't watch much television, but when I see shots from Iraq, I see folks carrying their guns held across their stomachs, and sitting on the outside of their arms, in a position that seems counter-intuitive to me.
Why do they use that position? I'm not stupid, and I do know the military knows what they're doing, but I sure don't (maybe I am stupid after all)!
And too, where are the shotguns? If I were scurrying around, in and through houses that may hold suspected terrorists, I'm much prefer a good tactical shotgun over a rifle. Shucks, I reckon you can get shot shells now that will do just about anything short of make your coffee for you.
Just wondering....
Sahagan
Why do they use that position? I'm not stupid, and I do know the military knows what they're doing, but I sure don't (maybe I am stupid after all)!
And too, where are the shotguns? If I were scurrying around, in and through houses that may hold suspected terrorists, I'm much prefer a good tactical shotgun over a rifle. Shucks, I reckon you can get shot shells now that will do just about anything short of make your coffee for you.
Just wondering....
Sahagan
Comments
It is much easier for someone with long arms to get a rifle on target when it is carried in such a manner. The rifle is placed on the shoulder by using the hand holding the forearm of the rifle. It is easier than having to move the arm holding the butt plate end outward, upward and then back to the shoulder in order to get the rifle on the on target.
Try it a few times with a rifle or shotgun. If you have long arms it may be easier for you.
Shot guns? To close for good effect.
You mean like the guy in the photo below?
It is much easier for someone with long arms to get a rifle on target when it is carried in such a manner. The rifle is placed on the shoulder by using the hand holding the forearm of the rifle. It is easier than having to move the arm holding the butt plate end outward, upward and then back to the shoulder in order to get the rifle on the on target.
yes, tac slings are the best thing since cotton underwear, it has nothing to do with spray and pray, very comfortable, and very quick compared to any other sling, your arms will have no fatigue, and help in a quick accurate shot
Shotguns are used, just not by all soldiers during MOUT operations. They are used mostly for breeching the entry into a room or building, and are usually issued only to one soldier per fire-team (4 soldiers). Shotguns are very good for close quarters, indeed, but they don't have nearly as much ammo capacity as an M4, and each shotgun round is much larger and heavier than each M4 round. The reload time for a shotgun is also much slower than for an M4. Your team can remain combat effective for much longer if you carry more ammo, and it's hard to carry 210 rounds or more of 12 ga. 00 buck shot per person. Also, what about when the troops are moving between buildings? A shotgun doesn't do much good when you're trying to use suppressing fire on a guy that's standing on a rooftop 3 blocks away and shooting at you.
No, the M4 is a much better option for urban operations than a shotgun.
The reasoning for the carry position is because it's a more readily available position. It's called the "low ready." It's a lot faster to shoulder a weapon from the low ready than from a shoulder slung position. It also is more of a deterrance, because if done properly, it makes the soldiers look very intimidating.
Shotguns are used, just not by all soldiers during MOUT operations. They are used mostly for breeching the entry into a room or building, and are usually issued only to one soldier per fire-team (4 soldiers). Shotguns are very good for close quarters, indeed, but they don't have nearly as much ammo capacity as an M4, and each shotgun round is much larger and heavier than each M4 round. The reload time for a shotgun is also much slower than for an M4. Your team can remain combat effective for much longer if you carry more ammo, and it's hard to carry 210 rounds or more of 12 ga. 00 buck shot per person. Also, what about when the troops are moving between buildings? A shotgun doesn't do much good when you're trying to use suppressing fire on a guy that's standing on a rooftop 3 blocks away and shooting at you.
No, the M4 is a much better option for urban operations than a shotgun.
THANKS FOR THAT INFO VERY INTERESTING,
I don't see quite so much hardware on the rifles in the action shots from over there.
Sahagan
edited to add....Oh yeah, thanks for the info. It's good stuff.
In the catalogs for such as us, most tactical rifles (they're A4's now?) have a whole host of added accessories, a tactical light, lazers, scopes, red dots and so on, almost ad infinitum.
I don't see quite so much hardware on the rifles in the action shots from over there.
Sahagan
edited to add....Oh yeah, thanks for the info. It's good stuff.
It's because all that stuff adds weight. A bare-bones M4 (not A4) weighs about 5 to 6 pounds. All that extra stuff can bump the weight up to around 10 pounds easily. Soldiers who partake in urban combat on a daily basis learn what they do and don't need to carry very quickly.
They use mossberg 590a1's and Benneli's over there for entry teams....
Most of the Mossberg shotguns used are 500s. They also use the Benelli M-4 Tactical, also known as the M1014 Joint-Service Shotgun.
http://michaelyon-online.com/
quote:Originally posted by Mobuck
You probably won't find camera men real close to where it's hairy...