Jack,
The "over/under" you speak of is the M203 Grenade Launcher.
My experience in the Marines included the M16A1, M14, M203, M870 Shotgun, M1911 Pistol, .38 Chief's Special, M2 & M60 Machine guns, LAAWS Rocket, and both 60 & 81mm Mortars. Oh the joys of an Infantryman with additional duties in the Armory and as a Marksmanship coach. :yes4:
The M16A1 replaced the three-prong Flash Suppressor with a cage-type Suppressor and added a Forward Assist mechanism on the left side of the Upper Receiver, to help the bolt fully seat when the finicky thing didn't go all the way home. As far as I know the M16 and the A1 used the same length barrel.
Thanks Wolfhunter, I appreciate the reply. In 1967 all of the squad leaders (199th, Light Infantry Brigade) were issued a smaller version of the M16. It had an improved flash suppressor, a much shorter barrel, and an adjustable stock. It was designed for close, jungle warfare. It was especially effective in villages or anyplace were combat happened quick and up close. I've not seen or heard anything about this weapon and it may have just been a trial that just faded away. I loaned mine to my tunnel rat whenever he had to crawl down/into a hole. Previously he would have just carried a .45. War really is Hell.
My 10 years in the USAF was very lacking in firearms training and experience. I was an aircraft mechanic for 3 years and a C130 flight engineer for 7.
In basic training, we got to qualify with M16's that had .22lr conversions installed. I never got to fire an automatic weapon until after my military days.
As a flight crew member, we carried .38 special revolvers (can't remember the model)concealed with 6 rounds of ball ammo whenever we left the country. We carried them openly during Desert Storm. I had a grand total of 1 day training with the .38.
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