M-16 Controversy Continues

[inchr48]

Saw story aired last night.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/07/...C-SearchStories

 

[Bwana Turtle]

We adopted a round with questionable lethality to fight a war we were never supposed to win. Makes perfect sense to me. Rules of engagement, anyone ?

 

[CaliDuckPro]

The lethality of this round has been in question since the weapon was produced. Not only is the 5.56mm round an ineffective round, but the M-16 is a POS. Especially in the desert, so I've heard. I've never fired a rifle that jammed so frequently and required CONSTANT lubrication. They're worthless.

The guy got it right when he said, "There is no such thing as a well-aimed shot in combat, because combat is fought by scared 18-year-olds who haven't been trained enough and are in a place they've never seen before." However, it's very contradicting of him trying to bolster the effectiveness and capability to carry more ammo. A misplaced shot with a 7.62 will do far more damage than a misplaced shot of a 5.56. Every shot isn't going to be center mass, but I'd rather hit the enemy with a larger round to increase my chances. The ability to carry more rounds does absolutely no good when you have to shoot the enemy 5-7 times to stop the threat.



Same thing can be said about the M-9 pistol (9mm beretta). Very ineffective. A lot of complaints.

Bring back the M-14! I know a lot of guys try to get their hands on one over there in the sand box. Same with the old 1911 .45s. I guess they just don't make weapons like they used to.

 

[fossilman]

The early M-16's were and are garbage..But have fired 1000's of rounds of ammo from the newer models,while in the Army-Never had a jam at all...
Also the bullet from a M-16 just doesn't pass through a person,when it enter's it tumbles and will come out in a different area...
A hard wound to treat(enemies)...
I have one friend that has a M-16 ,he used it in Vietnam and that's the only rifle he own's...Deer hunts,coyotes,etc...Just loves it...
To each his own on rifle's and pistol's-can't please everyone....

 

[CaliDuckPro]

You're absolutely right.. the 5.56 is meant to "tumble." However, it has to hit something solid (bone) for it to tumble.

It's like shooting a high powered .22

Of course, it's all personal preference.. unfortunately in the military, personal preference doesn't amount to squat.

 

[fdkay]

It does not have to hit bone to begin tumbling. As soon as any FMJ bullet enters any medium heavier than air, it begins to de-stabilize. Some sooner than others, with the 5.56 55 or 62 grain bullet, this requires at least 2700 fps of retained velocity, with the ever decreasing barrel lengths, this becomes problematic.

 

[DAYSTALKER]

From my understanding, they use the smaller round to wound rather than to terminate; it takes more men to tend to the wounded than the dead, Hence, less men fighting!!

 

[Scottyman]

6.8mm spc
About:
http://cardinalarmory.com/cardarm-pcart/pc...nt.asp?idpage=4

This is also where I put mine together.