[redfreedom]

Deer/bear hunting in 1968, then this would likely be the fall. By two Viet Vets? Then they were in Vietnam in mid 1968 at the latest.

According to a quick search, the M16 did not replace the M14 until 1969. I was there in Jan 69, carried the M14 and many units were being issued the M16 at the time. I specifically recall boarding a Caribou heading for the boonies seated by a butter bar and we had a discussion. He had just gotten his M16 and was not impressed.

Maybe some units were issued the M16 in 68, but very few. The author of this article could be confused.

[Carbonsteel]

My Dad served 3 tours in Vietnam and said the same thing. He wasn’t terribly impressed with the M14 either.

[Texas Fossil]

In my opinion, the M14 is still a better weapons. Just a lot heavier.

Range is not an issue with either of them. A lot more ammo is usually burned in a M16 vs a M14.

[unread]

I took basic at Ft. Knox with the M14.. that was in Jan. 65.. And we used M14’s in Korea in 66. I think it was in mid 67 I pulled range duty at McGregor Range N.M. and they were using M16.. We had to change out the targets from heavy cardboard to metal, I think.. It was a loooong time ago..

[OldGoatCPO]

The M-16A1 was first used in Nam in 1964. However it did not become the Standard Army issued rifle until 1969. I went to Marine Corps boot camp in Jan 1075. We were the first series to not train with both the M14 and M-16. Our guide books still had a whole section devoted to the M-14, nomenclature, break down and manual of arms. The M-16s we trained with were old rifles used in Vietnam. The DI’s made a big deal of our rifles having been used to actually kill Charlie. They also cussed them out for constantly jamming and breaking.

I digress, sorry. Anyway, it is possible they carried an M-16 in Nam in 1968. What I found odd was the idea that you went in a tunnel or cave network after an NVA or Viet Cong with an M-16. I know a former Marine tunnel rat. He had the bad luck to just barely meet the USMC height standards. He said the preferred weapon was an M1911. He said an M-16 would of been difficult to use in confined spaces. Side note, he became an EMT, joined the Navy Reserve in 2002, went to Iraq in 2004 did combat patrols as a Navy Corpsman with the Marines. Sounds like in this case, there was either a bit of hyperbole on the part of the Vets or the author.

[_longranger81]

Could the author have been having a beer with John “Deer Hunter” Kerry? If so, I think I know who ended up paying for the beer.