Problem may of been fixed Norm, but I will never forget the stacks of body bags, and finding the weapons jammed.

Here is something else to think about http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMeDmV0ufU  

Perhaps time to get out of the UN

If a sniper was hiding behind a tree, the 7.62 would go through the tree and get the bad guy. Hit a twig with the 16 and it's a miss. And the 14 is a club when it gets up close and personal.

Lenny, If we both ran up steep hills then tried to shoot at each other at 500 yards while out of breath, you using the M14 and me the M16, I believe I would be more accurate. The main reason is that its lighter and your barrel will be moving in circles, unless of course you are in a prone position, standing though, I believe I would be more accurate.

Norm,

I respect you and your opinion, but if a fly crapped in both barells, or we both dropped our rifles in the mud, you would be posting by ouija board.

Lenny, there must be some big flies in Texas,

When the 16 was introduced in Nam, it was so you could carry more ammo, and, you could spray the area. I doubt if any Marine that was in combat with the 14, and then got the 16 would ever say anything good about the 16. The 16 is a good piece of engineering, IF it is kept in pristine condition, the 14 is a work horse, plus its walnut stock makes a great club, something you only need once to appreciate the dual capability of it.

Its why its still used as a sniper rifle, and, I understand many seal teams carry them. Accurate to 1000 yards with nothing special done to it. Dang... now im gonna have to dig one up.

Lenny, easy to make the semi into full auto, a file and a few minutes work on the sear and bingo.....full auto

Wags, I never shot the 14, I know the Marines still use them for matches though, obviously because of the range.

Posted By Norm Walters on 08 Jan 2010 08:18 PM
Lenny, there must be some big flies in Texas,

Ever been in Nam Norm? I have. Not in military fashion, but the nam state bird is the mosquito. Wags can attest, those suckers are as big as crows and crap a handfull.

Too young for Nam Lenny, I was in during the botched rescue of the Iranian hostages. I can't believe that 30 years later we are still dealing with Iran.

Wags, you were a cannon cocker. how much did those shells weigh? Were they 105's or 155's, Howitzer's right?

I became an 0811 when I got there. Yes 105's, shoot, im guessin 15 to 20 lbs? Came in two pieces, bottom was the charges, had 7 bags, each connected to the other by string. Depending on the fire mission, distance etc you would "cut" so many bags. The standard HE (high explosives) projectile had different settings on it. Point detonatied, delay or air burst. You set the round, stuck it into the bottom and rammed it in the breech. Lined up your sights, set your angle and fired. We could do about 8 rounds a minute when we were going good. Kept the lanyard pulled and by the time it recoiled, you had pulled the breech open, ejected the canniset and had another rammed in and the breech closed, all before the recoil got back home. At Khe Sahn it was typical to have batter adjust of 50, 60, or 70 rounds Which meant all 6 guns fired that many rounds as fast as you could. We were attached and supported 3rd battalion 9th Marines, but, obviously fired for anyone within our area of support.

We were typically out on our own, built most of the positions we were in ( this was early in the war), as we were typically the first Marines in an area. We did our own perimieter security and did patrols in our immediate area. On 881 every time a helo would come in, it would get sniped at. So we were in the trenchs watching for smoke or noise and would "suppress" the fire. It rained, was a mud hole, we slept in a hole with a poncho over us to keep the rain off. This is why our weapons were a tad dirty . But that damn 14 never failed to fire and fire perfectly. Its when I fell in love with it. I'll take a few lbs for the security I had knowing, when I needed it it would perform.

My overseas deployment was boring, not knocking it, but I was in the rear with the beer and the gear, 3rd FSSG H&S Bn. S-3, I worked in an office in Okinawa. I did get a medal for NTPS though. Let's see we deployed on a flat bottom ship (USS Denver) from the southern end of the island to the northern end. Got in Mike boats and landed on the island, didn't even get wet, the ramp dropped right on the beach, got off, yelled a little and ate lunch. Got a ride back to base in a deuce and half, impressive huh.

I got to Nam in Oct 66. We were around Danang area. In Jan we loaded on a ship and went back to Oki. Camp Hansen I believe, ( actually remember kim ville ) . Anyway, loaded the guns and trucks on to an LST, sailed to the DMZ, loaded onto mike boats, went up the river to Gio Lin (Dong Ha) and unloaded. Then we were all along hwy 9 from East (Dong Ha) to the west to Khe Shan. If memory serves me we were in 13 new base camps in 10 months. Most we built from nothing. Got to Khe Sahn April 1, 1967 (remember it well, lost a good buddy that day ) later in April and May were the first hill battles of Khe Shan, Can't tell you how many hundreds of Marines were KIA there. Left there in June back to Cam Lo area, C2 Con Tien etc. dang.. seems like yesterday at times. Actually, got a call from a dude I had taken back to the med center at Dong Han in Aug of 67, he had "cracked up" .. not heard from him till New Years eve, we talked for almost two hours. This Sept 3/9 and us are to have a reunion in Vegas... be my first one. But this last year I have reconnected with 5 or 6 guys I had not spoken with since 1967 when I left.

Norm we all did whatever was asked of us. If you were asked to put your life on the line, I have no doubt you would of stepped up willingly.

This is true Wags, I would have. I'm glad you did and are still here to talk about it.

I was stationed at the southern end of Oki, Camp Kinser, which I believe was called Makiminato at one time, it was near Naha. Although I didn't go to Kimville I did hear about it, we had our own Kimville called BC street, with the adjoining Whisper Alley, same concept there, even if only for a short time.

Hey Norm and Wags,

Dont mean to disturb your conversation (please continue). And thanks to both of you for your service to country.

I saw this and it cracked me up.

A BIA officer stops at a ranch in Navajo land, and talks with an old Navajo Sheep herder. He tells the old Navajo man, 'I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs.'

The old Navajo says, 'Go-head, but don't go in dat field over der' as he points out the location with his chin.

The BIA officer verbally explodes saying, 'Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me.' Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removes his badge and proudly displays it to the farmer. 'See this badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish...on any land. No questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?'

The old Navajo nods politely, says; ok den', and goes about his chores. A short time later, the old Navajo hears loud screams and sees the BIA officer running for his life chased close behind by the old Navajo mans prize bull. With every step the bull is gaining ground on the officer, and it seems likely that he'll get "horned" before he reaches safety. The officer is clearly terrified.

The old Navajo throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs.....

'Your badge... Show him, your badge !!!

Oldie but goodie, I changed Iraq to Afghanistan, but its still funny as heck.

Govt announces new redneck strike force for Afghanistan.

These Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma , Tennessee, Carolina, and Texas boys will be dropped off into Afghanistan and have been given only the following facts about terrorists and Taliban:

1. The season opened today.
2. There is no limit.
3. They taste just like chicken.
4. They don’t like beer, pickups, country music or Jesus.
5. They are DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for the death of Dale Earnhardt.

The Pentagon expects the problem in Afghanistan to be over by the end of next week.

I saw the "Motivational" posters at the beginning of the thread, so I had to post my favorite one ever:

Chris I think that poster could fit a number of people in Washington !