why so many M-4s in afganistan?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - why so many M-4s in afganistan?

Posted: 9/20/2002 9:01:42 AM EDT

Everytime I see a picture of special forces they show them with a m-4 or a really short AR I admit they do look cool but in a big desert don't you want a long barrel? or are these guys just clearing buildings and close combat?

Posted: 9/20/2002 9:04:51 AM EDT

[#1]

Because contrary to popular belief around here, with very few exceptions soldiers are only alloewd to carry what they are issued, and somebody in the chain of command decided that the M4 was the optimal weapon for the situation.

Posted: 9/20/2002 10:36:19 AM EDT

[#2]

The issue weapon of the 101st, 82nd, and most of the 10th mountain is the M-4. The SF units have sniper weapons and radios for the longer out targets.

Posted: 9/20/2002 10:57:28 AM EDT

[#3]

...because the brit's won't share their SA-80's with anyone!

Posted: 9/20/2002 11:37:59 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
...because the brit's won't share their SA-80's with anyone!

Bwuahahahahahahahahahahahaaha!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is too funny

Posted: 9/20/2002 12:25:02 PM EDT

[#5]

"Everytime I see a picture of special forces they show them with a m-4 or a really short AR I admit they do look cool but in a big desert don't you want a long barrel? or are these guys just clearing buildings and close combat? "

That is a good question.
I heard the boys will be carrying M1 Garands for CQB in Iraq.

Tony

Posted: 9/20/2002 1:12:31 PM EDT

[#6]

I betcha some of the guys out there in the desert would trade there M-4's for M1 garands if I had to make 300 yard shots I would want something that had some power and did some damage.

Posted: 9/20/2002 1:58:05 PM EDT

[#7]

exactly my point.

Tony

Posted: 9/20/2002 2:21:07 PM EDT

[#8]

You guys, I think the horse was dead a year ago.

You can stop beating it now.

Posted: 9/20/2002 2:45:43 PM EDT

[#9]

It is not dead, I think I saw it twitch :)

hehe, M14 rifle loaded with 180gr hunting rounds.......

Bye Bye Taliban supporter

Posted: 9/20/2002 9:25:58 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
You guys, I think the horse was dead a year ago.

You can stop beating it now.

Posted: 9/20/2002 9:31:53 PM EDT

[#11]

Saw a photo of a UDT team member with a nice long 21" looking rifle in a recent military magazine.

Posted: 9/20/2002 10:33:35 PM EDT

[#12]

I saw various members of SEALs boarding H-60's carrying various H&K's, M4's, and M14's.
Hehehe.

Posted: 9/20/2002 11:15:26 PM EDT

[#13]

Don't belive every picture you see in a propaganda publication to be an exact template for what is really going on.

Posted: 9/20/2002 11:58:37 PM EDT

[#14]

because M4s are Kewl and the womenz like em..

Posted: 9/21/2002 1:34:55 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Everytime I see a picture of special forces they show them with a m-4 or a really short AR I admit they do look cool but in a big desert don't you want a long barrel? or are these guys just clearing buildings and close combat?

The entire SCHV (Small Caliber High Velocity) program was tested and approved using 20" barrels to obtain the correct velocity needed to insure fragmentation. (Although by 1973 we did understand that an 18 1/4 " barrel worked fine.)

The short-barreled M4 was wrong and the ammunition was wrong at the beginning of the Afghan war. At least the ammunition is being addressed.

Posted: 9/21/2002 2:59:17 AM EDT

[#16]

I had an SF Lt. in the shop today and we were in the gun vault looking at MG's and stuff and he commented, after seeing my 3 M4's that the M4 had and effective range of only about 500 meter as opposed to 800 or so with the 20" A2. M4 is too short ranged in the desert in his opinion. He also said the green tips sucked in general. He sort implied that they were using other ammo but was not specific.
Denny

Posted: 9/21/2002 3:20:43 AM EDT

[#17]

hairless and twitching horse

Posted: 9/21/2002 4:44:11 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

The entire SCHV (Small Caliber High Velocity) program was tested and approved using 20" barrels to obtain the correct velocity needed to insure fragmentation. (Although by 1973 we did understand that an 18 1/4 " barrel worked fine.

So the government never ever tested the M4 and how well M855 works in it?

Posted: 9/21/2002 5:54:23 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
Everytime I see a picture of special forces they show them with a m-4 or a really short AR I admit they do look cool but in a big desert don't you want a long barrel? or are these guys just clearing buildings and close combat?

Because the M-4 is what is in the arms rooms.

Maybe, depends on whether you are spending a lot of your time engaging long range targets.

Contrary to what you may think, there is no gun bearer for you to shout at to bring up a longer club. What you brought is what you got.

Posted: 9/21/2002 10:17:10 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
Everytime I see a picture of special forces they show them with a m-4 or a really short AR I admit they do look cool but in a big desert don't you want a long barrel? or are these guys just clearing buildings and close combat?

Because if its more than 250 yards away you call for an air strike.