posted on Apr, 14 2011 @ 07:58 PM
The reputation for the Colt M-16 failing in Vietnam was because when they ordered ammunition by the boatload, they ordered the wrong powder - a nasty,
nasty burning powder that would gum up a Sherman tank. The Army on occasion, does some of the dumbest things possible, and this little mistake,
especially in the winter of 1965, and early 1966 cost a lot of men's lives.
The M-16 never had a problem firing in rain, river water, or even flooded bunkers. They got the powder problem fixed quickly, and the M-16 was very
reliable.
Most firefights in 'Nam were fairly up-close. As I stated, the reliability of the .223 round starting at 200 meters is a mixed bag. My longest drop
was about 425 meters, a lucky running shot. While they WILL drop a man at a distance, it's partly a matter of lucky shot placement.
"Grunt" is "grunt," and a bullet of only 55-75 grains starts to run out of "grunt" pretty quickly. The upside is that within 200 meters, the
literally "smack" an individual. You can hear it.
I've considered having my Colt taken down and having a Master gunsmith install a piston setup, but right now I have to have that Les Baer .308. THAT
SOB is a shooter!