Combat photos of firearms in the Vietnam War
- Thread starter GoodDoomguy
- Start date
In the 50s the Việt Minh/ NVA captured quantities of MAS-36 Rifles, M1 Carbines, MAT-49 SMGs and some MAS-49 Rifles from the French in Indochina. They would use these previously French issued weapons during the Vietnam war. The soldiers in the photo are ARVN though, presumably they captured it from the NVA or took it from an abandoned French weapons cache.
- Location
- Newmarket,Ontario
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I wish I could find the magazine I have or had from the early sixties.
It had several large photos of weapons left behind in North Viet Nam by the French.
The French used everything available to them there, including most types of French, Japanese, German, US and even UK types of small arms, heavy machine guns, armored vehicles, aircraft etc.
I was in my teens when I first saw that magazine and saved it. Now I just have to find out where I stashed it away.
Somewhere in the magazine the editor made a notation.
"When they take all of my guns away, the only reason I will need another is to take their guns away and make sure they never get them back"
For some reason that comment struck home and I never forgot it.
It had several large photos of weapons left behind in North Viet Nam by the French.
The French used everything available to them there, including most types of French, Japanese, German, US and even UK types of small arms, heavy machine guns, armored vehicles, aircraft etc.
I was in my teens when I first saw that magazine and saved it. Now I just have to find out where I stashed it away.
Somewhere in the magazine the editor made a notation.
"When they take all of my guns away, the only reason I will need another is to take their guns away and make sure they never get them back"
For some reason that comment struck home and I never forgot it.
I was in Vietnam in 2015 and saw tons of M1 carbines in both museums as well as in use by remote countryside police which I found interesting.
The Vietnam War documentary series on Netflix is an excellent resource for this and the video footage clearly depicts AKs, M1 Garands, M1/2 Carbines, SKS rifles, Mosin carbines and rifles, Kar98k (likely RC rifles supplied as aid from the USSR), Mas36, Mas49, No4 rifles, M16s, M14s in use by various fighting Elements.
The Vietnam War documentary series on Netflix is an excellent resource for this and the video footage clearly depicts AKs, M1 Garands, M1/2 Carbines, SKS rifles, Mosin carbines and rifles, Kar98k (likely RC rifles supplied as aid from the USSR), Mas36, Mas49, No4 rifles, M16s, M14s in use by various fighting Elements.
I recall reading a brief memoir from an american who went to vietnam fairly early. He was issued a thompson, with the expectation that it be replaced with a more current weapon at the next opportunity. He saw a bit of action and managed to hold on to it until he had to turn it in. he was told to go get an m-14, but managed to get hold of a new to him thompson from a supply intended for the ARVN instead. He kept it for most of the war until he ended up with an m-16 which he was much less happy with.
IMHO, the Thompson was and still may be the Cadillac of submachineguns. It's weight keeps it controllable and it has a realistic effective range out to 100 meters if pushed. Ideal for tight, stressful circumstances.
They seldom had a problem with parts breakage and were as reliable as the ammo they were fed. They come to the shoulder very easily and the sights are usually very close to where the shooter is looking.
That can't be said for most modern submachineguns.
I have never fired one - my father had extensive experience with them. His only negative comment was that it was expensive and that a soldier that lost one (other than in action) had a hefty bill to pay. I thought the C1 SMG had very fine characteristics. I recall doing some cross training with US infantry and marine personnel (many with Viet Nam experience) who had been issued M16 —- it was curious that they were all extremely enthusiastic about the C1 SMG after having a chance to fire it.
.30/06 FTW
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Thunder Bay, Ontario
I’ve shot one at a range in Minneapolis and it was a pleasure to shoot. Very flat. Then again I found the MP40 and PPSh were fairly flat too. It’s interesting why though. Thompson because of the weight, MP40 because of the relatively slow rate of fire, the PPSh because of the built in compensator.
I happen to own the C1 SMG, the thompson, M2 Carbine, PPSh (Russian and Chinese) and think they all shoot well, and are all relaible.
The Thompson is heavy, but accurate on full auto. The PPSH has a bigger magazine (but faster rate of fire), the C1 has a side mounted mag, which is nice when prone and the M2 has power, accuracy and is an excellent semi (closed bolt).
Now go elect a good government and when the rules get changes I will invite you back to the range and you can try them all out.
The Thompson is heavy, but accurate on full auto. The PPSH has a bigger magazine (but faster rate of fire), the C1 has a side mounted mag, which is nice when prone and the M2 has power, accuracy and is an excellent semi (closed bolt).
Now go elect a good government and when the rules get changes I will invite you back to the range and you can try them all out.
BattleRife
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- of No Fixed Address
There are of course many photos of soldiers with "M16"s in Vietnam, but here's a couple that are interesting.
The first shows a special forces advisor in 1964, with what is certainly an AR-15 Model 602. About 20,000 were made but because virtually all went to southeast Asia with specialized personnel, it is actually relatively rare to find photos or surviving examples or even parts from this model.
The next shows soldiers of the 173rd Airborne division, the very first combat troops to go into Vietnam. This photo was taken about a month after their arrival in country. The AR-15 rifles they are carrying should be some of the first XM16E1 rifles made, with 5-digit serial numbers. I have used this photo to refute the common story that the forward assist was an addition to the design after the jamming issues of winter 1966-67. As this photo shows, the forward assist was present on rifles made for Army contracts from day one.
The first shows a special forces advisor in 1964, with what is certainly an AR-15 Model 602. About 20,000 were made but because virtually all went to southeast Asia with specialized personnel, it is actually relatively rare to find photos or surviving examples or even parts from this model.
The next shows soldiers of the 173rd Airborne division, the very first combat troops to go into Vietnam. This photo was taken about a month after their arrival in country. The AR-15 rifles they are carrying should be some of the first XM16E1 rifles made, with 5-digit serial numbers. I have used this photo to refute the common story that the forward assist was an addition to the design after the jamming issues of winter 1966-67. As this photo shows, the forward assist was present on rifles made for Army contracts from day one.
