M249 in Iraq

[ArmyRanger]

I heard about how bad the M9 and M-16/M4 series performed in Iraq.

Anyone know how the M249 Saw did over there?

[rob]

how bad the m16, m4 series preformed. the only complaint i heard was range on the m4's part, can you tell me what else.

but as for the m249, it was right down there with the m9, mostly becuase they where so worn out from what i have heard.

[MVSpartan117]

Yeah the M-16/M04 performed very well.

As he said the only problem was range with the m-4



M249 SAW: Overall positive comments on this weapon. It provided the requisite firepower at the squad level as intended. The short barrel and forward pistol grip allowed for very effective use of the SAW in urban terrain. Soldiers requested a better stowage position for the bipod legs. The legs interfered with the attachment of the forward pistol grip. If a pistol grip was attached and the legs were down, the legs made movement in the restrictive urban terrain difficult. Additionally, the soft ammo pouches are great improvements over the plastic ammo canister. However, the 100-round pouch performed much better than the 200-round pouch. There is a design flaw that allows the ammo to get tangled in the 200-round pouch.



Check here

http://www.bob-oracle.com/OIFLL.htm

[Howie Kaluha]

I'm pretty sure I heard somewhere about the M4's not performing very well due to all the sand as well......

[thatguy96]

PROJECT MANAGER SOLDIER WEAPONS SOLDIER WEAPONS ASSESSMENT TEAM REPORT 6-03 (http://www.bob-oracle.com/SWATreport.htm)

MCSC Liason Team Field Report (http://www.sftt.org/PDF/article05122003a.pdf)

[Deuterium]

I'm pretty sure I heard somewhere about the M4's not performing very well due to all the sand as well......

You heard wrong. An M-4 that is not cleaned in this environment will function poorly for sure. To clean it only takes 3-5 minutes daily. Use the right lubricant is also a must.

[Beowulf]

I'm pretty sure I heard somewhere about the M4's not performing very well due to all the sand as well......

You heard wrong. An M-4 that is not cleaned in this environment will function poorly for sure. To clean it only takes 3-5 minutes daily. Use the right lubricant is also a must.

graphite? That's what we used in A-stan, worked purty well.

[Michael RVR]

Yeah the M-16/M04 performed very well.

As he said the only problem was range with the m-4



M249 SAW: Overall positive comments on this weapon. It provided the requisite firepower at the squad level as intended. The short barrel and forward pistol grip allowed for very effective use of the SAW in urban terrain. Soldiers requested a better stowage position for the bipod legs. The legs interfered with the attachment of the forward pistol grip. If a pistol grip was attached and the legs were down, the legs made movement in the restrictive urban terrain difficult. Additionally, the soft ammo pouches are great improvements over the plastic ammo canister. However, the 100-round pouch performed much better than the 200-round pouch. There is a design flaw that allows the ammo to get tangled in the 200-round pouch.



Check here

http://www.bob-oracle.com/OIFLL.htm

You should have bought the 200 round pouches from us, i've never had a problem with the ones i've used. woot

[digrar]

You're right Mick, they are good kit.
When I hear people talking about weapons failing in arduous conditions, I think poor training. A correctly maintained weapon should be ready to go at all times, with the conditions dictating the amount of time a soldier spends preping the weapon to fire.

[ctcboy]

PROJECT MANAGER SOLDIER WEAPONS SOLDIER WEAPONS ASSESSMENT TEAM REPORT 6-03 (http://www.bob-oracle.com/SWATreport.htm)

MCSC Liason Team Field Report (http://www.sftt.org/PDF/article05122003a.pdf)

Thanks that was an excellent article. :D

[Uncle Sam]

I'm pretty sure I heard somewhere about the M4's not performing very well due to all the sand as well......

You heard wrong. An M-4 that is not cleaned in this environment will function poorly for sure. To clean it only takes 3-5 minutes daily. Use the right lubricant is also a must.

graphite? That's what we used in A-stan, worked purty well.

Agreed! Back in the 90's we stumbled across this fantastic lubricant. That, and One lube from slick 50.

For the SAW we used petroleum jelly in certain instances. And a good loogie now and then... :lol: