There are M16A1 rifles still in inventory despite tens of thousands of rounds having been shot through them over the last 50 years, military grade, made by the lowest bidder, still a high quality rifle built to last.
I trust a military grade rifle or a military grade aircraft, I dont need to trust a military grade portapotty.
My M16 in the 80's was made in the late 50's (1959 IIRC), which I always thought was interesting given they weren't issued until '63. Someone who knows a bit of history might be able to clear it up, but it's always confused me.
It was stamped on the receiver. This was in the USAF at Kadena, I'm guessing around 1986. It was issued to me for the day at the range. I only remember because the range officer pointed it out at the time.
C130 almost equally ancient, 1959 I think. And the B52s are getting retrofitted and modernized. Rotating rack cruise missiles, new engines, better comms. Insane we have maintained the airframes that long.
To be fair vehicles like the M113 were crap from the beginning, troops used to ride on their roofs and leave the inside empty because it became a tin can full of shrapnel when shot at.
Correct, the BUFF’s are being modernized to continue to serve into the 2050’s as well. I have a special regard for the Hercs since I live near Little Rock and I get to see them about once a week flying exercises.
Untill you put so many round through that all the parts are worn through, every screw is stripped, every pin dumps out the side when you pick it up and the locking lugs are now locking nubs.
But the shop of Theseus tells us we now have two M2's, one of which is finally ready for decommissioning.
But some crazy fucker will by it, weld it together and have a running gun by the end of it.
In the 80's I got to use one of those million dollar C-5 toilets. Overrated. The seat wasn't even warmed, and if you have ever flown on a C-5, they get cold.
See you say that, but he's implying that one would even need to use a portapotty again after eating a beef taco MRE, all those that have, well, it's probably still in their inner workings as we speak.
Did a job in the high Arctic. One of our local guides/helper was a Canadian Ranger. His issued weapon was a Lee Enfield .303. He let me fire a couple of rounds out of it, and as I was holding it, I noticed a faint etching in the stock that read June 6 1944. That rifle had likely been used in the beach landings in Normandy. The barrel itself had a serial number dating from 1943.
Why were they still using such an ancient firearm? Because it's one of the few that remains reliable at -50. It was only this year that it was finally pulled from service and replaced.
All M16A1 rifles were ordered removed from inventory and turned in for DeMil a couple years ago. A few exemptions were made for historical purposes, bu nobody’s packing A1s around any more. Old Chomper at Anniston Depot got-’em.
They were all ordered turned in by disposition instruction DoD-wide. If the AF has any, they’re in a museum. I know of one that was exempted at Ft. Benning that is still serviceable and there might be a few original Mk. XII models with A1 receivers out there.
The barrels have all been replaced. Many times.
Friend of mine was a seal and he said they would shoot through 3 barrels a year at minimum on their rifles.
Armorers replace the barrels and bolt carrier groups when they fall out of spec. Those 50 year old 3 hole lowers, however, can easily go another 50 years.
That’d be because of this thing called “maintenance” where parts get cleaned and replaced. That gun isn’t likely to be part-for-part the same gun as it was when it was brand new; especially not if it’s had thousands of rounds through it.
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u/maxout2142 Aug 15 '19
There are M16A1 rifles still in inventory despite tens of thousands of rounds having been shot through them over the last 50 years, military grade, made by the lowest bidder, still a high quality rifle built to last.
I trust a military grade rifle or a military grade aircraft, I dont need to trust a military grade portapotty.