What model of M16 was used in Vietnam?
M16A1 rifle
According to a 1968 Department of Army report, the M16A1 rifle achieved widespread acceptance by U.S. troops in Vietnam. “Most men armed with the M16 in Vietnam rated this rifle’s performance high, however, many men entertained some misgivings about the M16’s reliability.
What carbine was used in Vietnam?
The M1 carbine (formally the United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1) is a lightweight semi-automatic carbine that was a standard firearm for the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Was the M16 a good rifle in Vietnam?
It’s been 50 years since the problems with the M16 were fixed, but the rifle still suffers from a legacy that it never deserved. The M16 did not fail in Vietnam. On the contrary, even with its problems, it was in every possible way a vastly superior rifle to the M14.
Why was the M16 unreliable in Vietnam?
The harsh jungle climate corroded the rifle’s chamber, exacerbated by the manufacturer’s decision against chrome-plating the chamber. The ammunition that accompanied the rifles sent to Vietnam was incompatible with the M16 and was the principal cause of the failure to extract malfunctions.
Was the M16 used in Vietnam?
The M16 rifle is one of the world’s most famous firearms, iconic as the American weapon of the Vietnam War—and, indeed, as the U.S. military’s standard service rifle until only a few years ago. But the story of the M16 in Vietnam is anything but a success story.
Was the M14 carbine taught in basic training in Vietnam?
In the Vietnam era, basic trainees in Army and Marines learned on the M14. The Navy used the M1 and the USAF, mostly, the M1 Carbine, until the USAF got its M16s. I believe M16 was not taught in basic training until the decision to replace the M14 with it, circa 1968 I think. Reply Kevin R.C. O’Briensays: July 3, 2014 at 4:11 pm Oh, yes.
What kind of rifle did they use in Vietnam?
A Vietnam War-era infantryman armed with an M16A1 rifle and an AN/PVS-2 Starlight scope for use at night. The U.S. Army XM16E1 was essentially the same weapon as the M16 with the addition of a forward assist and corresponding notches in the bolt carrier.
How much does the M16 weigh?
So, this M16 “fully equipped” weighs in at just about 18 pounds! Not what one would expect from a light combat rifle (called the “Mattel rifle” by many of its detractors). The bulky Starlight scope (providing ambient light amplification up to 1000x) makes the rifle lop-sided already, but I never suspected that it weighed so much.