I was issued an M14 in the USMC in 1969 for boot camp. In those days, none of these was equipped with firing pins until we got to the Edson Rifle Range for qualification and they were removed again when we were done. The biggest thing I remember about the M14 is how heavy that critter gets when you are holding it at arm's length on the backs of your hands. We did that a lot. I remember once also when we were doing rapid assembly, I pinched my hand badly when installing the trigger group and I had to hold the assembly in while dripping blood because i didn't want the drill instructor to see this. Luckily, I got away with it and assembled the rifle when we got back to the half a tomato can (barracks). Shooting this rifle was pure joy. I sure would like to own an M1A today.
What rifle were you issued in basic training?
- Thread starter Tropical Z
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Blackcloud6
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1979, M16A1.
plateshooter
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M14 in March of 68. I can't remember alot of things at this stage of life, but I still remember the s/n of that rifle.
UnknownSailor
Member
Us squids weren't issued rifles for boot camp. (May-July 1994, Great Mistakes)
I got to shoot a .22 Ace for "qualification". 15 rounds, 3 five round magazines. No clearing malfunctions yourself, damn near no reloading yourself, and Gunners Mates with a 0% sense of humor quotient for baby-sitters. Targets were a sheet of paper with a spray-paint dot, at 25 feet. I got 12-15. I was nervous.
I got to shoot a .22 Ace for "qualification". 15 rounds, 3 five round magazines. No clearing malfunctions yourself, damn near no reloading yourself, and Gunners Mates with a 0% sense of humor quotient for baby-sitters. Targets were a sheet of paper with a spray-paint dot, at 25 feet. I got 12-15. I was nervous.
GLOCKT
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Oct-80, M16A1 Ft.Dix N.J (little Korea) headed into winter time.
Preacherman
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In basic training, the FN-FAL, R-1 (South African-manufactured version of the FN-FAL), Uzi, and Star 9mm. pistol (full-size clone of the 1911). Later, used the R-3 (chopped R-1), R-4 (licence-manufactured version of the Israeli Galil) and R-5 (chopped R-4). Also, in various combat situations, used "borrowed" AK-47's, SKS's, RPD's, RPG's, and on one memorable occasion, a PPsH and a Stechkin. Occasionally handled and fired Sterling, M-16, M-14, MAT-49, AGS-30, RPG-7 (various models), and a few other exotics.
Joe Demko
Member
Colt M-16A1
steve martins
Member
Australian Army. L1A1. SLR.
I was in the last platoon to go through basic training using the L1A1 before the AUSSTEYR was standard issue.
I was in the last platoon to go through basic training using the L1A1 before the AUSSTEYR was standard issue.
gabeodog
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None. I joined the Navy
308win
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M16. We were told that we were the first basic cycle at Leonardwood to train with the M16. The AIT Combat Engineers were still using the M14 IIRC. This was in March, 1969. The weapon I was issued shot pretty well although I don't know how as the fit was looser than a goose on grass. I believe they were Nam rifles that had been retired from combat duty - they sure weren't new. The one I was issued was pretty reliable except the POA and POI both wandered quite a bit because of the fit - you could literally twist the upper and lower at least 3-5 degrees in opposite directions.
SapperLeader
Member
Went to Basic at Fort Leonard Wood in May 1999, and was issued a m-16a2.
Sleeping Dog
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M14, semi-auto only. In beautiful Ft Bliss, TX.
Secmat
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M16A1 at good old Fort Beginning. About 20% finish and the trigger wouldn't release when the weapon was held up and bounced with your finger on it. Liked the M-203 that I was issued at my unit. I could plop HE through the target windows all day long.
Since everyone is giving more detail, I was issued the Colt M16A1 in the summer of 1981 at Ft. Bliss TX.
We also fired the M60, M203, M72 LAW, and the M18 Claymore Mine.
A few years later, in the reserves I was actually issued an M3 Grease Gun and a 1911.
We also fired the M60, M203, M72 LAW, and the M18 Claymore Mine.
A few years later, in the reserves I was actually issued an M3 Grease Gun and a 1911.
mussi
Member
SIG 550, but I also had to lug around a few anti-tank rockets, and the uber-evil Rakrohr (which had such nice payloads like proximity-fused frag loads, HEAT, a warhead which had four small bomblets and was proxmity-fused as well, incendiary and lighting rockets).
I also had the honor to lug a Dragon ATM.
I also had the honor to lug a Dragon ATM.
There is nothing like Great Lakes Ill. in the middle of a cold winter-exept mabey Siberia! Sailors aren't issued rifles. The only thing we shot in boot was Colt .22 conversions. I spent more time with a firehose than a firearm. When I got to my ship I qualified with the wonderfull M-14. Great rifle. Bought an M1a years later, and ended up selling it-worst gun mistake I ever made. I still get upset when I think of it. Someday I WILL get another!
VG
Member
- In Infantry OSUT 1981, M16A1 which we used to qualify in BRM and Automatic Rifle. Also qualified with the M203, and fam fired the M2 and M60.
- In 1982 at Armored Cav training - COBC, an M60A3 RISE PASSIVE TTS [tank]. 105mm cannon, M2 .50 cal, M240 .30 cal. Firing a tank cannon is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. And we also qualified with incredibly beat M1911A1's.
- In Ranger School, we passed around various M16A1's, M60's, and M14's, which were used as Squad Automatic Weapons.
Back in the day, if you were fortunate enough to be an Armored Cavalry Platoon Leader, you had at your beck and call 4 105mm cannons, 2 TOW launchers, 7 .50 cal MG's, and 9 .30 cal MG's. And if the Air Troop was handy, they added to the party. There are small arms, and there are "not small" arms.....
- In 1982 at Armored Cav training - COBC, an M60A3 RISE PASSIVE TTS [tank]. 105mm cannon, M2 .50 cal, M240 .30 cal. Firing a tank cannon is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. And we also qualified with incredibly beat M1911A1's.
- In Ranger School, we passed around various M16A1's, M60's, and M14's, which were used as Squad Automatic Weapons.
Back in the day, if you were fortunate enough to be an Armored Cavalry Platoon Leader, you had at your beck and call 4 105mm cannons, 2 TOW launchers, 7 .50 cal MG's, and 9 .30 cal MG's. And if the Air Troop was handy, they added to the party. There are small arms, and there are "not small" arms.....
J Calhoun
Member
Ft Leonard Wood, 1990-91.
Colt M16A1, no date marked. The butt and fore ends where worn to the point of being their natural green color. Rattled really badly.
Colt M16A1, no date marked. The butt and fore ends where worn to the point of being their natural green color. Rattled really badly.
armoredman
Member
All you Great Mistakers are forgetting something - the rifle racks at the end of the "house", where those lovely demilled M1 Garands lived, (complete with plastic and a empty case in the cleaning kit compartment - I found it, and got yelled at.), that was our issued rifle in boot. Or did you never do Indoor Tennis with the SEALS and a leaded M1? The 96 count manual of arms?
We didn't even get to look at our targets when using the Ace 22.
Loved the M14 on board - only three were select fire. One guy could hold it one target FA - wide as he was tall, nickname of Mosquito.....no kidding.
We didn't even get to look at our targets when using the Ace 22.
Loved the M14 on board - only three were select fire. One guy could hold it one target FA - wide as he was tall, nickname of Mosquito.....no kidding.
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