What was your favorite weapon you've fired?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 14:17:47 -0400

Something that I was hoping I was going to do more during basic training was weapon usage, or more so, the utilization of different weapons platforms. However, during basic, we only utilized our M4A1 service weapons, grenades, and that was it. I went to Fort Jackson for basic, but I've found that previously certain units were allowed to use the AT-4, M249 (I think that's what it was), M16s, etc. I know that when I get to my next duty stations I'll hopefully be able to get more hands on weapon usage. I was a little disappointed by not being able to use more weapons platforms, and learn more about them, but that aside, I was wondering what was your favorite weapons platform that you've used in your career?

Response by SPC Steven Depuy made Apr 7 at 2022 2:30 PM

SPC Steven Depuy — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 14:30:24 -0400

I qualified expert with the grenade, because I had balls of steel with the non lethal grenade, holding it after popping the pin, getting an air burst over the target. Only got to have one real one once, totally missed the window I was trying to throw it through, causing the Sgt to pull us both to the ground behind the concrete barrier I threw over. I qualified expert with the Dragon, using .22 blanks and tracking my target. Only ever got to shoot one real one, burned off my left eyebrow, I over corrected and they said the missile went up in the air and did a nose dive when I recoiled and over corrected. Fired one 3 second burst on the .50 in basic, never got to fire it again. Fired the M-60 in basic, never got to fire it again. Only time I got to shoot my M-16 I can remember after basic, was at an indoor range at Ayers Kaserne with .22 adapters. Whats my favorite weapon I fired, well hell, never got to fire them after basic, hard to say. Like my son, he graduated as a FISTER from Sill in 2009. Spent 3 years with the 3rd ACR, did a tour in Iraq, never worked on a crew that fired a howitzer after basic. It was the same with our TOW gunners, every other PC had a TOW on it. Don't remember them ever getting to fire those. Guess when your in right after wars end, you don't have a budget for doing much training.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Apr 7 at 2022 3:01 PM

SFC Marc W. — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 15:01:41 -0400

The M2 and the barrett. 50 cal was my fave.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2022 3:02 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 15:02:39 -0400

The MA DEUCE

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2022 3:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 15:25:42 -0400

Hands down M3A1 Grease Gun!!! I never had so much fun. :)
https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-m3-and-m3a1-grease-guns/

An Official Journal Of The NRA | The M3 and M3A1 "Grease Guns"

Dismissed as ugly ducklings when compared to the finely made Thompsons they replaced, the stamped and welded M3 and M3A1 “grease guns” performed very well and served several generations of American soldiers with distinction.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2022 4:19 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 16:19:11 -0400

I was the M60 gunner for my squad. Happiest guy in a firefight, maddest guy on patrol. I liked the M249 SAW, all the bang of the 60 but a lot lighter. I always wanted to fire the Mark 19 grenade launcher, though. The 203 looks cool slung under the M16 barrel, but you have to carry all of the extra grenades.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2022 4:42 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 16:42:39 -0400

Many fun and good weapons as 11-Bush. I think my favorite was all of them, but if I had to choose, than it's the Thumper M-79. It had fun rounds, HE, smoke, flechettes, and a big buckshot round.
The M-203 came out to replace it, but to me, all it did was make my M-16 heavier. I always carried the M-79 with my M-16, easy to switch out when in need.
At Bragg, during post support, I used to train the newbie SF troops on the M-79. Why, because at the range, at 100 meters I could place a round inside of a 55 gal drum. There was an old tank in the range, and the SF training staff used to bet me, if I could place a round into the top hatch. They always lost, at 300 meters there were a 8 standing silhouettes, all that was needed to qualify was to place a round within 5 meters near. But, I used to bet the SF training staff and ask them, which silhouette do you want me to place a round on, everytime, right on the chest of the target. Lol
Later as a SPC-4, they took away my M-79, and issued a M-203, and then I inherited a PIG (M-60), and my gun could cut down the trees, but the PSGT would scream at me everytime. It was a good feeling to give covering fire as the line doggies advanced forward, they used to tell me, "Please don't shoot me in the back." Lol But they always had good effective covering fire from my (PIG).
To tell you the truth, I think that (PIG) got me promoted to E-5, with the EIB that is.

Response by CW3 Harvey K. made Apr 7 at 2022 5:14 PM

CW3 Harvey K. — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 17:14:07 -0400

The BAR was a trip. It was 20 lbs of dead weight on a forced march, but shooting it made it worth while. We were taught to "tickle" single shots from it. The theory was the BAR could contribute to the unit's firepower without prematurely revealing the location of the full-auto BAR. Why they didn't keep the selector switch for semi/full-auto that was in the original design is a mystery to me.
I remember being taught to shoot the BAR from the hip. The instruction was, "Hold medium-tight against your hip, point down and to the left of the target, let it walk itself in a short burst". First 2 rounds in the dirt on the left of the target, next 3 across the target in a 45 degree slope upward.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Apr 7 at 2022 5:35 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 17:35:48 -0400

M14, 1911 .45, 106 recoilless rifle, and then much later, M1 and M1 carbine for fun. Setting up the 4.2 mortar alone was a kick.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Apr 7 at 2022 5:39 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 17:39:40 -0400

Without a doubt, the best weapon I ever fired was the M68 105 mm/L52 rifled main gun in the M60-series tank. There's something about seeing the blue flash from a sabot round hitting a hard target that nothing else matches. I'll point out that this was the only part of being an armor crewman that I liked, I much preferred infantry to armor. Other than that, I like the S&W 586 in .357 and the Kimber 1911 in .45ACP.

The one weapon I absolutely hated was the M85 HMG, also on the M60 tank. That version of the .50 cal was useless, and I imagine the near universal hatred of the gun is the reason that the Abrams tank used the M2HB MG.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2022 8:29 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 20:29:56 -0400

M107 and the M2A1, always rain with the .50 when you can.

In BCT I used an M16A4, M249, M240B, M320, and of course the M67. We didn't get to use the AT4. Later on in my units we would use the same, and add on the M16A2, M9, M17, M4, M4A1, M2, M2A1, and the M107. Still waiting on the MK19.

The Army has plenty of toys. Request to join the Infantry, Combat Engineers, or EOD on a weapons familiarization range. They'll have some NCO's that will be happy to teach, as well as dump some ammo. I remember when the M17 hit and my unit still had M9's, some guys out of the 508th PIR (82nd Airborne) invited us along to drive them and their gear to the range and back and in turn they let us familiarize with the M17.

Some of their guys were also Rangers and they ended up speaking on some things they knew and made recommendations on pistol marksmanship and marksmanship in general to our guys. Good familiarization event, good training, and a good get to know each other kind of deal. I remember they were happy we dropped them off right next to their AO, whereas other units dropped them off wherever they felt like it. They let us shoot without cleaning, least we could do is drop them off close to home.

There will be opportunities to pickup various weapon platforms, but you have to ask too.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 7 at 2022 9:02 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 21:02:13 -0400

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member Fun was range firing of the Ma Duece using the T & E mechanism for pinpoint adjustment of the impact area.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2022 9:02 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 21:02:38 -0400

Well each one scratched an itch be it the M16. M60, MA Duce, Law, claymore, M60A3 and Patriot.

Response by SFC Dan Thomsen made Apr 7 at 2022 11:03 PM

SFC Dan Thomsen — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 23:03:41 -0400

Stinger AA Missle

Response by SFC Michael McCauley made Apr 7 at 2022 11:42 PM

SFC Michael McCauley — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 23:42:31 -0400

Loved shooting my pig, carrying and cleaning it on the other hand not so much.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 8 at 2022 8:18 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 08:18:24 -0400

Basic training is just that. You are basically trained to be in. The weapons you used and are trained on is based on MOS and Unit. They won't roll out all the toys to train folks who don't need the training. I started out as a MachineGunner and made my way onto Embassy Duty and lateral moved to Data Communications. I spent a lot more time on weapon systems as a Grunt than as a Computer guy. Comes with the territory. There ways to get your hands on the good stuff but you will need to follow the work that puts you in that role.

But to answer your question my personal favorite was the MK-19 Machinegun.

Response by SSgt Mathew Cummings made Apr 8 at 2022 8:40 AM

SSgt Mathew Cummings — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 08:40:16 -0400

I would have liked to have gotten more time with the M58 MICLIC, I only got to use it once, my ears are still ringing from that though. I also would have preferred using the M240 Fox from what I knew about capabilities for my first tours in Iraq. For those that don't know M58 is mine clearing line charge on a trailer (MICLIC/MCLC depending on branch or time) and the 240 Fox is a standard but with same type of operational trigger as a M2 with a sight platform similar to AA guns with crescent moon.

Response by PV2 James White made Apr 8 at 2022 1:43 PM

PV2 James White — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 13:43:53 -0400

My favorite will always be the M242 20mm bushmaster chain gun equipped on the M2A3 Bradley cavalry fighting vehicle. As far as man portable it has to be the m249 saw

Response by SPC James White made Apr 8 at 2022 1:50 PM

SPC James White — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 13:50:20 -0400

By far the m242 2mm bushmaster chain gun equipped on the M2A3 Bradley cavalry fighting vehicle. As far as man portable it has to be the m249 saw

Response by Cpl Tim Crowder made Apr 9 at 2022 7:45 AM

Cpl Tim Crowder — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 07:45:38 -0400

My personal favorite was the BAR. I only fired it during our familiarization course during ITR at Camp Pendleton, but really felt comfortable with it. The range personnel complimented me on it, which is more than I ever managed with my issue M14(I never qualified better than sharpshooter). I might not have been so enamored of it, had I been issued one to hump over hills and through rice paddies, but being headed for a 2831 MOS as a microwave radio tech, it became a moot point.

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Apr 9 at 2022 8:50 AM

1SG James Kelly — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 08:50:36 -0400

M2, 1911A1,M3, M60, M240, M60A1/A3 minus M85, M16, sterling, FN 7.62 and one or two more.
:)

Response by LTC Ray Buenteo made Apr 9 at 2022 10:24 AM

LTC Ray Buenteo — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 10:24:45 -0400

Right cross.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2022 4:38 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 16:38:10 -0400

Oh. I just remembered another bad ass weapon I got to fire. I was given the opportunity, as a POG REMF, to fire a live round from the main cannon on an M1 Abrams in UAE.

Response by SGT Timothy Conley made Apr 10 at 2022 12:07 AM

SGT Timothy Conley — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 00:07:04 -0400

BAR!

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Apr 11 at 2022 6:06 AM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 06:06:48 -0400

.50 cal marching gun with tracers.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Apr 11 at 2022 12:50 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 12:50:41 -0400

I always wanted to try one of these just one time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_Crockett_(nuclear_device)#/media/File:DavyCrockettBomb.jpg

Davy Crockett (nuclear device) - Wikipedia

Response by SPC Steve Willis, PhD made Apr 11 at 2022 2:49 PM

SPC Steve Willis, PhD — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 14:49:12 -0400

M60 machine gun

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2022 3:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 15:24:57 -0400

If you wanted to fire more weapons you should have gone Infantry...just saying

Response by CPT Julius Luck made Apr 12 at 2022 6:35 PM

CPT Julius Luck — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 18:35:29 -0400

The Redeye Missile (now the Stinger)! It was brilliant!! Never had a miss, every time I got to fire it! 8-)

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2022 12:34 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 12:34:43 -0400

definitely a tie between PKM and Dragunov fired both at Stumps as part of FAM fire before deploying as PTT. manually loading PKM belt took time but she let her rip, and the Dragunov just ripped through ivans

Response by CWO3 Robert Fong made Apr 16 at 2022 4:36 PM

CWO3 Robert Fong — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 16:36:32 -0400

Specialist, my most favorite, extra special, clock cleaner is the ,30 cal 30-06 M-1 Garand rifle. With that weapon, if you paid attention on the KD Range, you could "reach out and touch someone" at 500 yards, or close up you could hang an M-1 Bayonet and tickle their bellybutton and if they weren't happy with that you could give them a 9.5 lb, butt stroke. Yeah, you don't carry as much ammo as an AR-15 where you don't aim, you throw as much junk downrange and hope to hit something. With an M-1 you hunt the enemy kind of like deer hunting. You've got a weapon in your hands that would make a caveman happy. Getting a vertical butt stroke from an M-1 means your face is in pieces. An AK-47 picking a bayonet fight with an M-1 is taking like taking a pocket knife up against a switch blade. Ever wonder why the GI's gave the Waffen and Strum SS such a hard row to hoe? German technology was superior in comparison to the Allies, but what Fritz failed to understand is when he came up against a GI who know how to handle the M-1 his world was going to be turned upside down. A lot of clocks were cleaned in Europe and the Pacific. Now, only snipers possess these skills, and they certainly don't use automatic weapons. At best, they look like large caliber Browning ARs with a select lever.

Response by CW5 Mark Smith made Apr 16 at 2022 8:34 PM

CW5 Mark Smith — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 20:34:31 -0400

The old bazooka.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Apr 18 at 2022 11:46 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 11:46:16 -0400

I got to fire an M3 Grease Gun when I was in Germany. That thing was a hoot!

Response by CWO3 Dave Alcantara made Apr 18 at 2022 7:06 PM

CWO3 Dave Alcantara — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 19:06:12 -0400

Military owned I would go with a pedestal mounted BMG.

Personally owned my Sharps .55-60 Buffalo rifle.

Response by CAPT Jim Murphy made Apr 19 at 2022 5:36 PM

CAPT Jim Murphy — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 17:36:45 -0400

Talos Missile aboard USS Columbus

Response by MSgt Brian Williams made Apr 19 at 2022 6:19 PM

MSgt Brian Williams — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 18:19:02 -0400

I have to say the German G-3 battle rifle. It was heavy, had a tremendous recoil so it really tested your nerves and your physical stamina. I had a 6 inch bruise on my shoulder from firing that weapon. One of my co-workers got a nice black eye from firing that weapon.

Response by SGT Gary Stemen made Apr 21 at 2022 12:30 AM

SGT Gary Stemen — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 00:30:28 -0400

M2 is a reach out and touch at 2000 m, I hit a 10 inch pie tin at that range. Granted it was mounted on a T&E, and walked in.... The M1911 .45 cal was the worst, trying to qualify at 25 yards....

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Apr 23 at 2022 2:29 PM

SPC Chris Ison — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 14:29:19 -0400

You are not going to get to fire anything else. You picked a REMF MOS that lets you hide in an air conditioned office that will probably never see combat anyway. You should have picked a combat arms MOS.

What the fuck did you think you would be doing a TV Camera Operator?

I have qualified with M-14, the M9 pistol,the M203, the M-16 series rifle, the Mk 19 Grenade Launcher, the M47 Dragon, the Javelin missile system, the M2 machine gun, the 240B machine gun, the M-60, the M249, and hand grenades.

That is what you get to do as an infantryman. Not only that but you get to hunt and camp for a living.

Infantry is the best job you never had.

Response by SP5 Peter Faris made Apr 28 at 2022 12:08 PM

SP5 Peter Faris — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 12:08:51 -0400

I trained on the M-14 in Basic. The sweetest gun ever!

Response by CMSgt Elbert E. Clayton made Apr 29 at 2022 4:35 PM

CMSgt Elbert E. Clayton — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 16:35:06 -0400

Among many of those you listed, my favorite was in the early 1960s at Greenville AFB, MS (now closed). For two years I qualified for "Expert" with a Mossberg 22 rifle. I had qualified previously with other weapons as Expert, but the Mossberg was the easiest to use and fire.

Response by SGT Ivan Igitol made May 2 at 2022 2:10 AM

SGT Ivan Igitol — Mon, 02 May 2022 02:10:54 -0400

Although there are lots of different weapons in the service, the one that I enjoyed most is making it rain grenades downrange with the Mark-19 (MK 19).

Response by SSG Wayne Wood made Jun 18 at 2022 4:26 PM

SSG Wayne Wood — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 16:26:18 -0400

Someone mentioned the Ma-Deuce and it's hard to argue with that. Second as far as "small arms" (I know it doesn't seem to fit the M-2) is the M203. I carried one in Germany and loved taking it to the range.

But you haven't lived until you "pulled tail" on a howitzer, from 105mm (the "popguns") to 155mm to the one I busted my cherry on - the 8-inch. That's POWER!

Response by SPC Robert Bobo made Jun 21 at 2022 1:57 PM

SPC Robert Bobo — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 13:57:55 -0400

By far it was the original M79 grenade launcher, replaced by the M203 mounted under M16, I could regularly drop a grenade on target

Response by SPC Chris Green made Jun 21 at 2022 3:39 PM

SPC Chris Green — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 15:39:32 -0400

M242 Bushmaster