Posted on Sep 10, 2022
What is the OLDEST model weapon that you used in the Military?
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For many of us, this will probably be dominated by the .45 Cal. Model 1911 Pistol (in service since 1911) and the .50 Cal. M2 Machinegun (Manufactured since 1921). For me, it was the above 2 weapons, plus the Smith & Wesson Model 1905 .38 Special Revolver. Please make this weapons that you actually used, carried, or operated as a service member. (The Navy guys will probably win. They never throw anything away.)
Rifles
Handguns and Pistols
Artillery
Machine Gun Basic
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 239
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Yes, I carried the 1911 pistol .45 caliber, and used the .50 caliber M2 Machinegun. The most remember rifle is the M-1 Garand. The basic M-14 rifle .308 or 7.62x51. Don't remember carrying any older ones than that.
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Sgt Mervyn Russell
Well, that was a long time ago. This means I'm a classic as well. The Marines were always the last to get anything that came out.
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Sgt Mervyn Russell
I also carried the M-79 grenade launcher and the 3.5 rocker launcher, we were just getting the Law, well, my spelling is not right, it was a 40mm rocker launcher. Help me out here guys.
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LCpl (Join to see)
I can vaguely remember being issued a device (1 strip of wire-attached to 2 sticks that resembled cloths pins). We thought it was for starting a fire. It came in a large wooden crate. This was ITR Camp Pendleton early 60's. Any one still vertical, and have a recollection of this item?
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You are correct, the Navy .45 Cal. Model 1911 Pistol is the oldest I used. I qualified with that and then the M-1 as well. It is not that the Navy never disposes of things, it is that the Navy does not get all of the new toys our sister services get, especially the Air Force. I had ammo on Guam for my weapons that were older than the Air Force.
Unfortunately, I do not have a Navy 1911 or any other 1911. I do however have an M-1 Carbine. It is in great condition and still very accurate. (No, I did not use this one in the Navy, but I inherited it from my dad.)
Unfortunately, I do not have a Navy 1911 or any other 1911. I do however have an M-1 Carbine. It is in great condition and still very accurate. (No, I did not use this one in the Navy, but I inherited it from my dad.)
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I joined the California National Guard in 1986. We had the old .45 caliber sidearms and M16-A1 carbines, although some of them (including mine) were the modified AR-15's! M-60 machine guns and M-203 grenade launchers!
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One very loose and rattling 1911A1. I looked at it and said "I've got a nicer one than this at home."
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MSG Lonnie Averkamp
1LT Brian Tychonski, One day, we were going to the Range, and they announced that we were going to shoot Browning Hi-Powers. I thought, "Finally, a beautiful, quality, Belgian Beauty.". At the Range, when they opened the foot lockers, those things looked like they'd been drug behind a Deuce-and-a-Half.
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1LT Brian Tychonski
MSG Lonnie Averkamp I finally got an actual Belgian High Power last year. We had one come into the gun shop I where I worked and I traded the boss 20 ounces of silver and $50 for it.
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In My case the 50 caliber, the M1 Garand plus M1 and M2 carbines and even the Springfield 03. Of course used the M16 when it was a new addition to Military firearms.
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As with most one of the oldest was the M2 .50 caliber Machinegun, also the .45 Cal. Model 1911 and while I served at JRTC as OPFOR, my issued weapon was an MX-16 with a 3 digit serial number. We also had another soldier whose M16 had a rifle with the Mattel insignia on the pistol grip. The rifle itself was made by Colt, but the pistol grip by Mattel toy manufacturer. Also at Aberdeen Proving Grounds I was able to fire the M3 "Grease Gun". All fantastic weapons to fire.
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The M16A1, Mi6A2 with M203 grenade launcher, the model 1911 45 Cal pistol. the M2 machine gun, the M14, the M79 grenade launcher, the MK19 grenade machine gun, the .38 cal special revolver (detective special) and the M60 machine gun (which I humped when we went downrange.) Believe it or not I was not a grunt. I was a combat MP.
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MSG Lonnie Averkamp
SFC Ernest Thurston Man, if you carried the "Thumper" and the "Pig", you might as well have been infantry.....
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SFC Ernest Thurston
Sometimes I wondered. I spent my share of time on patrol, and not in a patrol car. The place I had to go on patrols was in Korea. I was glad I was there during peacetime, because it seemed like everywhere we went had a trail going up the side of a mountain. When we were mobile I used to think all of these roads are nothing but kill zones with nowhere to go.
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SFC Ernest Thurston
Now, I have to clarify that I didn't carry all these at the same time. I was an M-60 gunner for about the first 3 years I was in. Then as a team leader they gave me an M-79. Later we upgraded to the M-203. When the Army brought the MK-19 on board from the Navy I was a weapons instructor and went to Rock Island Arsenal in IL to train on it. I was then appointed to be the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the MP School on the MK-19. About a year later I went to Korea and was training soldiers on how to use it mounted on HMMWVs.
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Since the question is more about being used but NOT specifically used in combat, it would have to be my Marine NCO Sword. Adopted in 1859 and still in use today (and until Hell freezes over...), albeit more for ceremonial purposes, yet still a weapon.
As for fired in combat, it's the Ma-Deuce mounted out the Port window of my Phrog in Iraq.
On another note, while assigned to HMM-161 in Iraq, I was the only one in the squadron OLDER than the aircraft we were flying (early 60's)! Still, the venerable Phrogs flew with distinction and resolve.
As for fired in combat, it's the Ma-Deuce mounted out the Port window of my Phrog in Iraq.
On another note, while assigned to HMM-161 in Iraq, I was the only one in the squadron OLDER than the aircraft we were flying (early 60's)! Still, the venerable Phrogs flew with distinction and resolve.
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MSG Lonnie Averkamp
MGySGT Ron Soens, Good Answer. That puts you right behind the NCO who carried a 1700's Brown Bess Musket in a ceremonial honor guard.
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