Posted on 01/14/2010 11:27:55 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The Iraq Army has expanded its use of a U.S.-origin assault rifle. Officials said the Iraq Army has absorbed more than 5,000 M-16 assault rifles from the United States. They said the delivery of additional rifles as well as training would be intensified by the U.S. Army in 2010.
"The M16 is now the weapon of choice for the Iraqi army," an Iraqi Army officer identified only as Capt. Anwar, said.
Over the last year, the Iraq army has been training its soldiers on the M-16A4 rifle. The seven-day training course has taken place at the Shaiba training center and included firing positions, range procedures as well as weapons assembly.
"You will need to remember your training lessons and apply your knowledge and skills on the battle field," Anwar, training officer at Shaiba as well as weapons wing commander, told cadets of an M-16 course that graduated on Dec. 24.
The course trained soldiers from the 14th Infantry Division and included a competition in assault rifle skills. All of the soldiers in the course had been using the Soviet-origin AK-47 assault rifle.
Officials said more than 50 percent of the Iraq Army would continue to use the AK-47. They said initial plans to replace the AK-47 Kalashnikov entirely with U.S.-origin light assault weapons had been shelved.
"Retain your M-16 knowledge and apply your basic rifle marksmanship with your current weapons," Anwar said.
(Excerpt) Read more at geostrategy-direct.com ...
Theres no such thing as a brush buster. Every bullet can deflect in brush.
~~~
LOL,,,That “Brush Buster” came from you not me,,,
Yes any bullet will “deflect”,,,
I think you know as well as I do that the lite/fast .22
types will just come apart when they hit a twig or three,,,
Let’s go up to a 12ga. 1 oz. slug,,,
That will “deflect” even less,,,
We can carry this out to a 6 pound gun with solid shot,,,
As the weight goes up there is less deflection...;0)
The M16A1 was plagued by problems which were resolved in later models. It’s only drawback, IMO, is the reciprocating gas piston. The full auto feature on the M16a1 was pretty incompatible with such an operating system. It was supposed to be a one shot one kill semi automatic firearm. In that role, it functions well. My M16A2 did well enough. I put 200-300 rounds through it in the space of 15-20 minutes on more than one occasion. It was hot enough to burn you. I don’t recall it jamming. I have a few AR15s in the vault. I still like it but I’m excited about the gas piston variations coming on the market such as that Ruger SR-556 or the FN SCAR. I want one of each.
Also, what is the feasability for our troops using the AR-10? I think it fires a .308 round, but is still an AR platform. I know a guy who uses one to hunt pigs from a helicopter, and he loves it.
Another query: Is there not on this planet a company that makes an AK-style rifle, firing the 7.62 round, that is built to tighter tolerances? It seems to me that the loose tolerance is the main complaint against it, and that looseness is not necessary in the Western world, we we not only clean our gear, but are more educated about maintenance type issues.
For the record I own two ARs, one of which I built up myself (having absolutely zero firearms experience previous to that) and I love them. There are tons of customizing options; it's almost like playing with Legos.
Even more likely.
I get the feeling that we are bequeathing to them our old and worn out rifles, as we are phasing in a newer version that sucks less...
//It was supposed to be a one shot one kill semi automatic firearm. In that role, it functions well.//
Damn right it does.
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