What did you like or dislike about your weapons platform or station?

2019-07-18T07:51:12-04:00

Post a pic or discuss your weapons platform or station. What did you like or dislike about it?

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jul 18 at 2019 7:53 AM

2019-07-18T07:53:10-04:00

I would have liked my m4 based on the AR10 not the AR15. I read the m16 was originally modified to
223 from .308

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made Jul 18 at 2019 7:53 AM

2019-07-18T07:53:58-04:00

Worn-out M-16-A-1 at Fort Polk. Couldn't hit the broadside of a barn from inside the barn.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jul 18 at 2019 8:47 AM

2019-07-18T08:47:55-04:00

I carried the 240 for a while. I didn't like how heavy it was or that it took two people to operate effectively. I liked its range and power. It was fun to shoot!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 18 at 2019 9:25 AM

2019-07-18T09:25:06-04:00

The C130 was my “combat” weapons system. Yes, the USAF actually called transport air craft “weapons systems”. Overall the aircrafts’ main issue was poor cockpit and cargo compartment temperature control. Also it was loud. Hearing protection required at all times. But, I loved the tactical missions. The Herk could land on short runways. It handled dirt snow gravel sand mud and combinations of all of those. Air drops were fun, but only CDS and HALO appear to have contemporary combat applications.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jul 18 at 2019 10:04 AM

2019-07-18T10:04:34-04:00

My first unit was a CSC (Combat Support Company) in the 9th Infantry Division (Motorized) 1987-1991. We were the only division in the Army, to my knowledge, that employed the M30 4.2 inch 107mm mortar in the ground mounted mode. We carried the mortar in the back of a M998 HMMWV. The M106 mortar carrier, a variant of M113 APC, was the Army's primary platform for the "Four Deuce", with the ground mounted mode being a secondary capability in fixed defensive positions. The premise of the 9th ID was a mobile, motorized division, with similar firepower of a mechanized infantry division. While the mortar system did bring some serious indirect firepower, and the HMMWV provided mobility of the weapon, it took a toll on the 4 man crews who had 2 minutes to have the mortar ready to fire when the vehicle halted. Numerous injuries occurred as a result of "slinging steel" every time we occupied a firing position. I once suffered an awful hernia requiring surgery from lifting the bridge. Mobile ground mounted employment was never the intention of this weapon, and by late '91 it and the 9th ID (Motorized) were gone. It's replacement, the 120MM is about half the weight and has the capability of being towed for the ground mounted configuration, which is much more practical than "slinging steel" off the back of a Humvee.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2019 10:40 AM

2019-07-18T10:40:11-04:00

Being a chuck back on Active Duty the mortar systems were my weapon systems. I preferred each for their own reasons. The 60mm was great while I was in the 173rd Airborne brigade. Hit the drop zone and can go into action real quick. The 120mm was a beast when I was in a Stryker brigade. I particularly loved the 81mm as I spent most time on that system. Even chasing them out of a C-130 on a jump, I'd hit the ground and oversee my section getting guns up to provide indirect fire support.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jul 18 at 2019 12:15 PM

2019-07-18T12:15:19-04:00

M16 in Vietnam 1966/67 I’ll say no more!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 18 at 2019 1:11 PM

2019-07-18T13:11:06-04:00

M1A1: Tough, fast, accurate, well armored, and ability to shoot while moving against a moving target. Cons: The maintenance. Our mission was not to defeat but destroy the enemy.

Response by COL William Oseles made Jul 18 at 2019 3:11 PM

2019-07-18T15:11:26-04:00

Since we are also seeing comments on personal weapon,
My issue 1911 aim point at 25'
1 foot to the right, 2 feet high
Looked it up on the AMDEF and a value of $54.10.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 18 at 2019 6:52 PM

2019-07-18T18:52:46-04:00

M551 loaders hatch is a half moon shape and unforgiving on your hips and kidneys.

The hydraulic system or just about anything on an M9 ACE. POS.

M978 without the ability to telescope the boom. Ran like a champ though.

M984E1 great wrecker.

My first units M88 had a warped Hull and went through final drives. Don’t miss it, not one day

Loved MRAPs. Finally a loggie fighting platform.

Was initially a doubter of the Stryker Recovery System, it came through for us

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Jul 18 at 2019 10:52 PM

2019-07-18T22:52:59-04:00

Hen I was 11B it was the M203.

Response by SPC Gary Welch made Jul 19 at 2019 12:24 AM

2019-07-19T00:24:08-04:00

Well let's see here as an 11 m infantry as a dismount and mounted my weapons platforms consisted of M-16A2,M249 saw,M60,M72 laws rocket,AT4 rocket launcher,Dragon missile system,M203 grenade launcher,M2 50 call,M231 firing port weapon then as a Bradley Gunner the M242 25 mm Bushmaster,M240C and the tow missile system. I liked all of them the only one I had a problem with was the M242 not the operation but having to disassemble it in the turret when we had a malfunction.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2019 12:28 AM

2019-07-19T00:28:50-04:00

I liked my old M-16, using the real sights as a handle was a plus, I never disliked any weapon's platform. Then again the old type entrenching tool with a wooden straight handle was much better then the entrenching tool that had a metal Y type handle.

Response by SPC David Glines made Jul 19 at 2019 9:58 AM

2019-07-19T09:58:55-04:00

I loved being a TOW gunner reach out and touch my target takes about 10 to 15 seconds to reach the end of the wires people say you get hard firing an M2 you want to get hard and stay that way for an hour fire the M220A2 and no I'm not politically correct

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jul 19 at 2019 11:47 AM

2019-07-19T11:47:20-04:00

Weapon I disliked? M47 Dragon Anti Tank Missile. It was heavy, awkward, and if I had to use it in combat, I might as well walked around with a bulleye painted on my BDU's.
If I had to pick a favorite among others I have been assigned, the M2 50 Caliber Machine Gun would be at the top. MA Deuce may be 86 years old, but she's still the girl that I want to bring to the dance.

Response by SGT William Cannon made Jul 19 at 2019 9:08 PM

2019-07-19T21:08:48-04:00

HMMM...I WAS IN A 105 BATTERY...I BELIEVE THE NOMENCLATURE OF THAT PIECE IS M-102...THEY WERE EASILY MOBILE WITH CHINOOK CHOPPERS...THE BAD PART IS GETTING THE HOWITZER LAID; (ZEROED); WORST TIME WAS MONSOONS...

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2019 9:23 PM

2019-07-19T21:23:08-04:00

I didn't like that it wasnt designed for my vehicle. The original turret weapon for the AAVP7A1 was a single Mod deuce. During Gulf war 1, they changed it to a coaxially mounted mk19 and a mod deuce. Which seems like a good idea right? Wrong. The first reason is if you accidentally fire out all your 40mm grenades you have to get OUT OF THE TURRET to reload. The second is if you need to pull the plenums to work on the engine, you have to completely unbolt the turret and scoot it over with a tank bar. Its got like 18 bolts in it and it takes forever to re align when you put it back in.

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Jul 20 at 2019 2:26 PM

2019-07-20T14:26:16-04:00

I was in the 54Ord co. (ammo). The 205th Ord Plt. (Ammo) was made up from personell from the 54th. We were sent to VietNam on 2 wks, notice in July 65. We had a lot of draftees fresh out of Basic training. I was a SP/5. After spending 4yrs in the Marine corp as a Cpl. I didn't like the rank. A SP/5 is not an NCO., however if they needed and NCO. you got treated like one, If they needed a lower rank person you got treated like one. I could be Sgt of the Guard or I could walk a post if needed. I think that's why they done away with the SP/5 rating it wasn't a fair system. About all the Medics were SP/5. That was different. It would be interesting to know why they did away with the SP/5 Rank. Semper Fi.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jul 21 at 2019 3:32 PM

2019-07-21T15:32:26-04:00

Light and serviceable through most terrain.
Cold in the Korea winters.
Hard to high-center but an Army Scout can do anything :-?