4 Nov 02

Rifle information from a friend in the Philippines:

"Over here, the M16 series continues to enjoy respect. Government units equipped with the M16s still have the old variant with the slow twist rate. All use the M193 ball round. Contact distances remain well under 200 meters , with the vast majority of encounters occurring within 100 meters. Given all this, the (old) M16 still shines around here.

Some 'elite' units (devoted to protecting politicians) are now field ing a new, 'mini' version of the M4. Iron sights have been replaced by red dots, with no backup sights. Barrels have been shortened to six inches. Stocks are maladroit, retractable wire contraptions. Rifling is 1:7. Considering the length of the chamber, one has no more than four inches of rifling to stabilize the round. Consistent zeros are impossible to establish beyond fifty meters. The maker is blaming it on poor marksmanship. Next project? A four-inch version of the same gun, ostensibly for those really close encounters! Heaven forbid these folks run into well trained riflemen, using real rifles.

Meanwhile, our Rangers are content with their standard M16A1s. Those equippe d with M14s are even more delighted and happy to bear the extra weight. Not surprisingly, these are the guys who've seen the most action in the most places, urban, field, mountain."

Lesson: Heaven save us from "elite" units! The 223 round in a standard-length rifle is effective to 150 meters. Beyond that, its effectiveness diminished exponentially. Its penetration capability (at any range) is extremely limited.

Shorten the barrel, an a rifle which is already effective only at relatively short range, becomes even less effective. The 223 may make an efficient assault rifle, but it makes a manifestly inadequate battle rifle. New ammunition and shorter barrels with tight twists do not help in the least.

/John