Author Topic: U.S. military equipment questions (Read 265 times)

Thud · « **on:** April 06, 2003, 04:23:45 AM »

While watching/reading the coverage of the war two questions arose;

About a year ago I read a thread on this BBS where was stated that the M-113 family of APC's was no longer used as a front-line fighting vehicle but just as base for various support-vehicles and maybe a few of them in the rear. And in that thread everybody seemed to agree that that had been the case in desert storm too.

And now I see a lot of footage of M-113's moving up within the first waves and in the thick of combat operations... Anything changed?

Second; in my daily newspaper there was a big picture of a marine kneeling while scanning his surroundings with his rifle at the ready. And in that rifle (M-16A2 I believe) was an old 20-round clip, I always thought that only 30round/mags were taken into combat. Could they be special rounds or something, I once saw a clip with non-lethal ammo that looked like a regular 10/round magazine.

Anyone out there can enlighten me on these two??

Thanks

Monk · « **Reply #1 on:** April 06, 2003, 05:34:49 AM »

For your 113 question look hereM113 family
It's the B52 of the ground forces. Drives like a sports car.

20 rd mags are still in the inventory, though most like to carry the 30rd.
Looks cooler too.

Suave · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2003, 07:08:14 AM »

When I was in, USARMY only used 20rnd magazines in basic training. I can't imagine that marines are still using 20rnd magazines, if so, that is sad .

lord dolf vader · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2003, 10:19:18 AM »

30 rds mags jam alot more than the 20s as the spring tension is alot less at he end of a 30 round mag. probly you get better feed on the 20s in extreem dusty conditions. m16 no likee the dust.