“The Gun” C.J.Chivers

[Speedo2]

removed PC

 

[bobcat]

I haven't read the book, but I read the exerpt that was in Esquire magazine awhile back, facinating, and I'm going to get and read the book after I whittle down my pile of pending books...

 

[Onomea]

Well let's see what some of our Vietnam vets have to say. I recall back then asking my brother, who was an army infantry lieutenant there in 67- 68 about reports of the M16 jamming, and he said if you kept it clean it was fine.

 

[williamlayton]

To say that the military put out a cheap rate AR is just about as big a lie as the government ever tried to cover up.
Lots of grunts died with those pieces of **** in their hands.
Blessings

 

[rocketdog]

Excellent book, with lots of fascinating details and history. Thumbs up!

 

[Bat Guano]

A certain amount of the problems were from bean counters saving money; using an unsuitable alternate powder, declining to chrome the chamber and bore; failure to adequately field test the weapon; and the ridiculous claim that the weapon needed little or no maintenance. The books "The Great Rifle Controversy" and "The Black Rifle I and II" cover the M-16's early years.

None of this reflects particularly well on Springfield Armory, that took many years to field a "product improved" M-1 (aka M-14), or DOD that arbitrarily jumped to the M-16. American military arms development has been pretty lackluster for the most part. We've been lucky to have John Browning and John Garand around at critical times.

The M-16 is a pretty good weapon now, but it was a bumpy road.

 

[Speedo2]

removed PC