What Was Your Introductory Rifle In the Military? When & Where?

Lackland AFB 1968
M16 (I think I had Kimio's rifle when it was brand new)

My father had given me a Winchester 75 target when I was about 11, and I took indoor lessons at the Multnomah Athletic Club. (That is a story in of itself, involving the retired Marine DI degenerate who taught there)

When qualifying I had a nice 60 round pattern in the center of the target. But the guys, from Ohio, on either side of me must of been shooting at my target as well. There were about 90 holes in it scattered all over the place.
 
Last edited:
M1 Garand, August 1962 Fort Knox KY. We were one of the last training companies A-11-3, Lt. Traponi commanding, (Sgt. Newton was our platoon leader), to be issued M1's. We noticed that most of the other Basic Training companies that marched past were carrying "new fangled", M14's.
My rifle's serial number was: 1603418...has anyone seen her?
 
M16A2, Ft. Sill, 2010.

It TRIPLE FED during my qualification. I didn't think that was possible, but there it was.
 
M16A1, 1981, Fort Benning, GA, Infantry OSUT. I had just turned 17 years old.

My first group at the zero range could've been covered by a dime...and I haven't shot that well since...
 
Lee Enfield #8 in .22rf. 25 Yd indoor TA range in Bristol U.K.
Click to expand...

Wog Potter:

Love that gun and was fortunate enough to locate one for my collection. Also have a couple No 2 Mk IVs that I got about 50 years ago when they were $19.95. All of them are tack drivers.

Besides the No 8, I was also lucky enough to score a No 7 Mk I, but I have never shot it. Still looking for a C No 7 Mk I (Canadian).

The only problem with the No 8 is that the buttplate (which I am guessing is natural rubber) deteriorated and flattened. Maybe you know a source for a replacement or repro?
 
M-16A1, Ft. McClellan, Alabama- 1987. I don't recall seeing anything but Colts, and was perplexed at all the lowers which were still stamped "AR-15", and there were a few chromed (or shiney) bolt carriers in B-787 MP Bn. I'm guessing they were all parts masters, because I was under the impression that if the rifle had a shiney bolt carrier, then it ought to have a 3-pronged flash suppressor and no forward assist. But, I believe they all had the A1 bird cages and forward assists.
 
M1 when I entered college ROTC in Sep 1960; M14 when I went on active duty in July 66. When I arrived in Vietnam in July 1970 I was issued an M16, with no instruction or training. I was one of those "old timers" who scoffed at a plastic rifle, especially with the small caliber .223 round. But it worked pretty well when called upon to fire. I guess right now I'd love to have an M14.
 
M16A2, Fort Benning, GA in 1990. We were issued the A2s for Basic Rifle Marksmanship, and then after we qualified, we turned them in for A1s for the remainder of OSUT.

Some of the A1s retained the triangular handguards, while most had been replaced with round ones. All of the A1s were pretty "experienced". Mine in particular was an H&R if I remember correctly.

By the time I returned to Benning for OBC in 1992, all of the A1s seem to have been retired, for I never saw anything but A2s.
 
M16A1 (and a rather worn one, at that) Ft Leonard Wood, MO, 1975. Basic Training. A little later, in AIT, I did get some experience with the M14.

My class in Small Arms Repair at Aberdeen Proving Grounds was the last class the Army trained on the M14 rifle.

And as far as hearing how many people over the years had worn, or virtually worn out rifles in their basic training, that's certainly true. That's because they are training rifles.

Not sure about today, but in the 1970s, the Army accuracy standard for overseas shipment of M16s was 8MOA. Think about that for a moment.

None of the rifles I ever saw was that poor (and a saw a lot), but it could have been, and still been sent into combat! I don't know for sure, but I think (and hope) we do things a little bit differently (and better) today.
 
M16, Lackland AFB, 1965 ... Qualified as marksman, they let us fire one mag full auto and I never saw one again ... the life of a MAC-trained killer ...
 
My initial weapon was an M1 Garand at Parris Island in Sept 1962. One week before we went to the rifle range for marksmanship training, they took all of the M1s and gave us M-14s.

I only fired the M1 a few times and I hated doing "inspection arms" with it. Ever hear of M1 thumb? The M14 was a really nice rifle, although the first ones had a flash suppressor held on with a roll pin, instead of screwing on.
 
M16A1

1982 Fort Benning Georgia

B - 5 - 1 Bravo! Victory through Skill!

Never really experienced many malfunctions with the various A1's I used in 3 years of Infantry service as long as we are talking ball ammo. You start talking 500+ rounds of blanks in a day then its a squirt of Breakfree into the bolt carrier every other magazine to keep her running. Great rifles.
 
A very battered but still very accurate M16A2 at Parris Island in 1987. I actually arrived for Basic on April Fools Day! The rifle I was issued was the first rifle I'd fired aside from .22LR bolt actions in Boy Scout camp and a few BB guns and qualified Sharpshooter with it.

As an 0331 I spent much more time with the M60E3 and sometimes the E1,the M2 HB Browing .50 and the Mk19. The SAW made it's way to us later.

I'd take and M60E3 again or even better the E4! If, IF!, someone else is paying for that linked 7.62. I'll also state in truth that I'm just as happy with my civilian AR.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top