which would be a better long gun

[mg357]

which would be a better long gun for a marine infantryman on guard duty in iraq an M16 service rifle or a Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun sincerely and respectfully mg357

 

[jakatan]

m16 service rifle, though I wasn't aware the Marines were still toting around those ol' muskets.

 

[~tc~]

Whichever they issue you?

Do you really get a choice?

I would say, depends on what/how you're guarding. A shotgun is the ideal "home defense" weapon, but if you're outdoors, being able to engage at considerable range is a distinct advantage.

 

[Mack]

m16 service rifle, though I wasn't aware the Marines were still toting around those ol' muskets.

USMC mainly issues the M16A4, 20" A2 barrel with a flattop receiver with a few M4's.

 

[st regis]

A Garand w/bayonet affixed.

 

[akviper]

What and where is he guarding? Depending on his duty either firearm might be best.

 

[BOB THE PALINDROME]

Don't know about Marines now days (I carried an M14 in RVN) but this is what they give young Cavalry Scouts. (He had an M4 as a back up.)

 

[GatorFarmer]

The Marines don't issue 870s. They have a fancy new Benelli autoloader. The guards at the gate here usually have one of those, sometimes they have an M4 variant, sometimes a flat top M16. The old A2s don't usually end up overseas. (Army is mostly M4s except for DMRs.) When the Federal Police are standing guard, they have M4s. I haven't seen a pump shotgun save in the hands of MAs on a Navy warship.

Guarding prisoners usually nets a shotgun. Otherwise standard guard duty means taking the standard issue weapon along.

Rifles and carbines are somewhat better for the job since one might have to shoot at vehicles running barricades. Not that the 5.56mm is ideal for that, but works better than a shotgun with buckshot or non lethal (rubber) rounds. Slugs aren't usually encountered.

MPs carry the Benellis in the trunks of their squad cars on base and presumably deploy with them. Regular units don't usually draw them, though SOC (spec ops capable) units could of course get them if they were needed for the mission.

 

[Combat_Diver]

Can't really comment on the Marines as I'm retired Army but do have years down range in Iraq and Astan. The M16 (whatever variant issued) would be the best as guard duty on the wire were you can engage across no mans land. Most towers also have a crew served weapon mounted on a tripod there (M249, M240, M2) Shotguns are too limited on range and are usually used for breaching. Still lots of A2s and Mossberg 500/590s here in Astan this year with the Army/Air Force/Navy (most Marines are south from me).

CD

 

[586L-Frame]

They need these Blackwater AA-12 Automatic Shotguns.

Military Technology / Videos | Military shotgun - AA-12 - World\'s deadliest | Military technology and military videos

Check-out the video demo.

586L-Frame

 

[borntoraisehogs]

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

YESSSS!
+1!

 

[bobelk99]

M16, M16, M16.....

 

[spricks]

I suppose one could say....YIKES!

spricks