Free Republic

Marine Corps Systems Command is equipping Marines with the updated M2A1 .50-caliber machine gun, increasing Marines’ survivability and lethality on the battlefield. The M2A1 is an upgrade to the legacy M2 machine gun currently used by Marines across the Corps. The updated M2A1 is easier and safer to use due to three major changes: a quick-change barrel, fixed headspace and timing, and a flash hider that reduces the weapon’s signature by 95 percent at night, according to a recent Marine Corps Systems Command press release. “M2s are the most reliable heavy machine gun,” said Maj. Harry Thompson, team lead for...

If you are starting out with black powder cartridge shooting, the .45-70 is a great place to begin.Most of what we've heard or read about black powder cartridge shooting seems to focus on long-range action. Those stories either include long-range target shooting, especially in "Quigley style" competition, or hunting, such as the tales of the buffalo hunters. While those tales of longrange heroics are often very true, with credits positively earned, black powder cartridges are right at home with shorter range shooting too. Some folks might consider this to be "goin' slow," but it really is the best place to...