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Who Made Your Weapon?
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Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
Curious, do any of you Vietnam Vets remember who made your weapon?
I know the M16A1 was made primarily by Colt, but H&R and GMC/Hydromatic also made them during the War.
The M14 was made by Springfield Armory, H&R, Winchester, and TRW.
The M60 was made by Saco/Maremont, don't know who else made them.
The M79 was made by Kassnar, not sure if anyone else made them.
Thanks in advance for any replies, and thanks again for your service
I know the M16A1 was made primarily by Colt, but H&R and GMC/Hydromatic also made them during the War.
The M14 was made by Springfield Armory, H&R, Winchester, and TRW.
The M60 was made by Saco/Maremont, don't know who else made them.
The M79 was made by Kassnar, not sure if anyone else made them.
Thanks in advance for any replies, and thanks again for your service
Comments
In Basic my M-14 was from TRW, AIT and in Nam they were made Winchester
If you carried an M-14 in basic and you remember who manufactured it, your memory is much better then mine.
[8D]
I kinda like this forum,yes, there is a law against wearing,displaying,claiming undeserved military decorations..Even had a brother,son of my mother and father who told his son that he is a veteran of both Korea and Vietnam,,I had to call him on it,because it belittled my own Vietnam service.I'm nobody's hero,done my job as well as I knew how got done and got out.Anyone needing proof of claims
can accompany me to the VA,or can check the record...Some folks feel a need to lie to cover their own sence of inadaquacy...
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
You can tell it's swell,it's a Mattey Mattel....
I kinda like this forum,yes, there is a law against wearing,displaying,claiming undeserved military decorations..Even had a brother,son of my mother and father who told his son that he is a veteran of both Korea and Vietnam,,I had to call him on it,because it belittled my own Vietnam service.I'm nobody's hero,done my job as well as I knew how got done and got out.Anyone needing proof of claims
can accompany me to the VA,or can check the record...Some folks feel a need to lie to cover their own sence of inadaquacy...
[:0] Eddie
colt ar15 vietnam
AR-15-in Country-Wisky-Tango-Foxtrot,all I got to say
Hey Swamprat, I was with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor....attached to the 25th Infantry near Tay Ninh. 1969/1970. M48 tank crewman. My rifle was also a Colt AR 15, and full auto. Some of the first of this series of "M-16s" were sold to the Air Force, maybe some other units. But it's not uncommon for an early rifle to be marked "Colt AR-15". They had no forward assist, and were of the "slab side" configuration. Most with a three pronged "flash hider" and early "no trap door" buttstock. TANKER
I was Air Wing so we kept the M-14's in Da Nang. I think mine was Springfield, but my memory might be more influnced by inference than actuallity. Didn't shoot that well back then. But hey- hit anywhere on the body - and -- well you know.
The Air Wing, MAG-11 in Da Nang finally started to get M-16's during my 2nd tour in Jan 69. I kept my M-14 as I was rotating back in Feb 69. They worked pretty well. Never will forget washing them with soap and water and a brush in boot camp. Damn near indestructible.
Thank God I didn't have to carry one and the ammo through the jungle.
We did have M-79's(1) and M3A1(3) Greaseguns in our reactionary platoon in Da Nang. Also 3 guys carried M-14's with the auto selector. At least as old memory serves me.
You may find it interesting that Force Recon Marines came into our Marine supply all the time asking to trade for M-14's. Seems as though the M-16's were not working very well back in 67-68. They also bugged NavWeps supply for the pilot's strobe lights (ET call home?). We never disagreed with anything Force Recon wanted. Nice guys - but don't piss them off. Never sure how we cleared it on the books though. You'd do anything to help Force Recon and not piss them off - they called us "want to be's" I'm sure. LOL
But I could still tear down an M-14 with my eyes closed even during my advanced senility (kidding on the senility).
What I DO remember well? All in AIT training in Pendleton:
M-1 Garand. Wow.Great rifle. Too bad only eight rounds and the "ping" of the inner clip when the last round was fired.
The old Rocket launcher - DON"T stand in back.
The BAR - wow what a kick to shoot.
The M-60.
The LAW.
The M-79 - "bloop".
108MM Recoiless fitted with the .50 Calber sighting weapon.
(Watched- not shot). Air Wingers stay away from our gun please.
And last but not least in anyone's book - the greatest pill box clearer ever invented for the Corps -
Ladies and Gentlemen - drum roll please........
The Flame Thrower
Now that was FUN. Genuine Big Boys toy.
Gosh - the good old days.
Finally got me a real Colt AR-15, carbine when I worked as a reserve deputy. Still like to have an M-14/M1A.
Years later, I learned about John Browning and decided he was my hero! He designed most weapons I liked best, several before my daddy was born!
554th Red Horse 67-68
38 Spec. by Smith & Wesson
M-79 by Kassnor
P-38 by Walther
It may not be an actual trick question, the question is simple and the answer is even more simple and straight forward.
The weapons were purchased by every tax paying American.
Payed for with the blood, sweat and tears (and taxes)of US and American ally military armed forces personnel and the civilians.
The weapons manufactured for the most part by manufacturers with roots in the USA. Economic benefit and profits went to the manufacturers.
M-16 by Colt
38 Spec. by Smith & Wesson
M-79 by Kassnor
P-38 by Walther
It may not be an actual trick question, the question is simple and the answer is even more simple and straight forward.
The weapons were purchased by every tax paying American.
Payed for with the blood, sweat and tears of US and American ally military armed forces personnel and civilians.
The weapons manufactured for the most part by manufacturers with roots in the USA. Economic benefit and profits went to the manufacturers.
My bad, I should have said who manufactured your weapon.
BTW, how did you end up with a P-38?
Yes, I used it.
We also had a selection of pocket pistols, a wallet pistol and a couple of boot or ankle hides. Have no recollection now of who manufactured them. Knew then probably. I do recall that we kept them in good condition, and functioning. They did not have high accuracy requirements!
Going to town could be interesting, staying there could be dicey.
How did you know where the NVA officer got his?
What unit were you with and what was your AO? Maybe we passed each other on the road? You'd be the one "loaded down" with weapons...what a bunch of weapons to carry around, and I thought I had it bad riding around on a tank. Wallet holsters? Ankle holsters? Boot holsters? Man that must have made some blisters! How did you keep them all dry? I guess I just missed out..I never even heard of a "wallet holster" back then, and the last thing I wanted to do was to strap more stuff around my boot legs. You're one tough dude, I admire you. Thanks for your service to our country! TANKER
That was the first time that I had layed eyes on one there (or anywhere) but knew what it was and where they had come from, in general.
I figured that when the French returned to SouthEast Asia after WW II had ended, they no doubt brought that and many of the other weapons that were available to them at that point. And we all know that they had unlimited selection to choose from.
We found a lot of pre- and war production European rifles in our area. How many were supplied the loyal French and Vietnamese resistance fighters of the Japanese occupation and pressence, during WW II and how much came in subsequestly to France's return, I have no idea.
It would seem that some of the folks with MI would have checked that out a bit. I do not recall having read anything definitively regarding that though.
I saw a selection of Mausers and various British, Italian, French, Japanese, Chinese and Russian rifles, with some odds and ends handguns. I recall seeing where some came from, recognizing some, and not others. I had friends then that were really interested and into the esoteric.
I appreciated the Mausers, and greatly respected the AK-47. If a legal trade, I'd have traded out 3 M-16 for 2 AKs any day of the week, if I'd have been able to use them on OPs.
I appreciate the mass of the rounds and the fact that they (non-VN, non-Chicom made) were the most dependable weapons that I ever had the opportunity to use there!
I figured that the only competition would have been our 50 BMG! Asked our CO if he would mind me using it. Asked me if I wanted to check it out, familiarize myself with it or practice. I replied "yes". You probably can fill in the blanks! I said yes, all of the above and throw rounds at the bad guys ... watch them run, dodge and jump.
I did that and more, handy machine! Never was able to do a very good impersonation of John Wayne with it though!! Hell, I couldn't much past the front gate, and that was without the stand or much ammo. Kind of gave up taking with me on ops!!!
If I had taken it out, I'd have had to do what ever it took to get an oportunity to use it ... And hopefully the sooner the better.
But fun and effective, for sure. I recall us only having a couple. The one near me stayed cleaned and ready.
TANKER Please note! TANKER
I attempted to get an email to you, it bounced back ... no luck! Does the email address here normally work for you? If so ... let me know and I will re-send. Alan