Vietnam LRRP loadout . . .

**TXBK** · 06-03-15, 01:12

Has anyone else noticed that in the pic of the XM117 and the 20 rd. mags, there is a 30 rd. mag in the XM117?

**SteyrAUG** · 06-03-15, 01:52

Originally Posted by TXBK

Has anyone else noticed that in the pic of the XM117 and the 20 rd. mags, there is a 30 rd. mag in the XM117?

My best guess is they put a 30 rounder in to start and had a bunch of 20 round mags because they fit in the pouch better. Probably a case of being able to carry the same amount of ammo or more in 20 rounders than 30 rounders in the pouches available at the time.

**Mr blasty** · 06-03-15, 10:42

Originally Posted by SteyrAUG

My best guess is they put a 30 rounder in to start and had a bunch of 20 round mags because they fit in the pouch better. Probably a case of being able to carry the same amount of ammo or more in 20 rounders than 30 rounders in the pouches available at the time.

It's also my understanding that 30's were very difficult to come by at the time and highly sought after. My assumption would be that they kept it in the gun as a break contact mag.

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**Mr blasty** · 06-03-15, 10:44

Considering the load necessary to do extended operations and the nature of today's battlefield and equipment, I've been wondering under what circumstances if any people decide not to use armor.

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**Moose-Knuckle** · 06-03-15, 11:52

Originally Posted by Mr blasty

It's also my understanding that 30's were very difficult to come by at the time and highly sought after. My assumption would be that they kept it in the gun as a break contact mag.

This is my understanding as well. I've seen multiple pics from Vietnam of thirty round mags but they are a few and far between.

**Moose-Knuckle** · 06-03-15, 11:56

Originally Posted by Mr blasty

Considering the load necessary to do extended operations and the nature of today's battlefield and equipment, I've been wondering under what circumstances if any people decide not to use armor.

Over on the Professional Soldiers board, most of the guys stated they chose to go SF because they didn't have to wear a hot and heavy steel pot helmet. Instead they could wear boonies and patrol caps.

The recon team featured in Lone Survivor did not wear armor I ass-u-me this was an accurate portrayal of the real life team.

**SteyrAUG** · 06-03-15, 13:53

Originally Posted by Mr blasty

Considering the load necessary to do extended operations and the nature of today's battlefield and equipment, I've been wondering under what circumstances if any people decide not to use armor.

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A couple guys in Somalia back in 1993.

**TXBK** · 06-03-15, 14:38

I was thinking that the curved 30 rd. mags of those days may not have been as reliable as the straight 20 rd. mags. This is why I was surprised to see the 30 rd. mag in the picture.

**WillBrink** · 06-03-15, 14:42

Originally Posted by Moose-Knuckle

I stumbled upon this tonight on Vintage Operator's Gear FB page and thought some of you would find it as cool as I did. In fact, their whole page is filled with awesomeness!

(note the para-cord pull tabs on some of the 20 rounders base plates)

I had heard before that the BAR belt was a much sought after and highly coveted piece of kit with SOF personnel in Southeast Asia as they would hold 20rd M16 mags without any modification to the pouches.

What did all that weigh? Lugging that around as an LRRP in a jungle must have been a real mother f-er.