Posted on Feb 13, 2014

What is/was the best rifle used by the military?

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Okay "gun freaks", lets get your thoughts on this.  The military has gone through a lot of different style rifles since the Army took to battle with flint lock muzzle loaders in 1775.  Since then, thanks to improvements in technology, the primary rifle carried by ground units have improved.  Keeping in mind, these changes haven't always been welcomed.  When the M16A1 was first introduced to the military, a lot of service members didn't like it.  <div><br></div><div>So with that in mind, if you could go in combat with any weapon that either was part of the inventory or is CURRENTLY part of the inventory, which one would you pick?</div>

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Weapons

Posted 10 y ago

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Responses: 11

CPT (Join to see)

Posted 10 y ago

I like the M14 EBR. It is not as compact/lightweight for use in an urban environment as the M4, but for engagements at a greater distance, the 7.62 has better reach and knockdown power.<br>

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SSG(P) (Join to see)

10 y

My sentiments exactly, sir!

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SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S.

9 y

Best weap even .. outside the 1911A1 :)

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1SG(P) (Join to see)

Edited 10 y ago

Posted 10 y ago

Best RIFLE? I'd have to say the M1 Garand. I wouldn't want to carry one now as I think the M4A1 is more versatile. But the Garand was in its day a trail blazer. It was the best battle rifle carried by any soldier in at least two wars. It was our first gas operated, semi-automatic. It validated the efficiency and ease of maintenance that comes with a gas piston. Although it used a staggered en bloc clip and not a box magazine, it was our first rifle that could be immediately reloaded with more than 5 rounds. The Garand and the 30.06 round were sufficiently accurate to be adapted to use as a sniper platform. The Garand was also the foundation for another contender, the M14, which has been reintroduced for SDM use and was posthumous MOH recipient SFC Randy Shugart's weapon of choice. Would I want to clear a room with a Garand? No. But given its innovations and influence on other great weapons, I'd say it's the best. It's an American classic and represents the best of American industrial design and manufacturing.

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1SG(P) (Join to see)

10 y

I suspect the M1903 Springfield was the first rifle adopted by all the services across the board.

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SSG (Join to see)

10 y

The OG,
muzzleloading flintlock musket, and its attached bayonet

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SGT Ben Keen

10 y

I just can't think how it must of felt though to the guys using first smooth bore than later fully rifled bore muzzleloaders. I have the ability to remain that calm, even with the pre-made cartridges, and load that weapon while others were taking away near your position had to be amazing.

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