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Thread: OIF/OEF Veterans. Technical Lessons Learned wanted

  1. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Combat_Diver View Post
    PMAGs worked for the 6 months of abuse I gave them. Also PMAGS worked out of the M249 during the few mags that I ran through 100%. HK mags are heavier and and have had one out of 12 that would double feed.
    Good scoop on the PMAGS, I used to run IA drills with issued magazines and the 249. The only way that I could get them to work consistantly was by using brand new mags that the Marine would have to apply even pressure on the floorplate always from the prone. It worked for surpression but I never got the warm & fuzzy because to much time was spent worrying about the magazine.

  2. #22
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    PMAG's are awesome - I had over 30 in Iraq for two years. They are the only mag I would run these days in harms way.

    Weapons - M4 - swap for M4A1, 3rd Burst system is ass.
    - lube, lube, lube CLP, Militec, whatever - use it and lots of it (I like TW25B best)
    - optic IMHO Aimpoint T1 would be the Cats Ass - but Comp M4 M68 is GTG, as is the M3 M68.
    - EOTECH's - require much more user care and attention that the M68's
    - M9 (I hate them) I used Glock 19 and 1911

    I would ditch every single M16A2 and A4 in inventory, start a 7.62 SDM 16" barrel system with S&B Short Dot (my heart is in our [KAC] SR25BR)

    ACOG - TA01NSN greys out during dust/dawn light, PEQ-2 will work on High Power for aiming then, but PAC-4 will not have enough juice to be seen (no a biggie as these are on the way out.
    I used TA01NSN with KAC Dr Optic mount and Dr 2000-2003 - the two aiming positions to me is annoying as under stress I always would default to looking thru the magnified optic - unless I was already using the Dr.

    Visible lights - someone - PLEASE tell Insight to stap trying to make a vis light, IR lasers are great, but then need to leave lights to Surefire at least until Insight can make a decent one... SF Scout light - GTG, if you need more light - use a vehicle or think and use NOD's

    NVG's -- 14D's are okay, until you get dual tube, the mininal added weight from 50/50's or ANVIS is worth its weight in gold. I won't even talk about 7's

    Training - I could rant for days, when contracting we would do ranges with regular units to try to help them out. Big Army is WAY WAY behind the 8 ball on this in both weapon handling safety, and combat marksmanship.

    Navigation - map and compass - know them... Just cause FalconView does not have it does not mean its not there...
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  3. #23
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    my take

    I found like several other guys that always keeping a small bottle of lube is the only way to get through. I prefer to carry one bottle that i can use on all my weapons systems like the M40, MK11, XM3, M4, M9, etc.

    I prefer not to use CLP but opt for hoppes fly reel oil/gun oil that stuff is insane and some of the best ive used. Also eezox works real good. For shooting the SASR or heavy guns pull that bolt out and dip the whole thing in motor oil, i know that sounds crazy but your gun wont go down!

    As for optics i really like the eotechs and aimpoints. However i always find myself going with the acog, no batts and tough as nails. The USMC reticle is okay, but I would say cover up that fiber optic light gathering thing. I put a piece of electric tape over it or even paint it with a paint pen.

    I find it absorbs to much light and makes the reticle larger which causes you not to have a percise point of aim on further tragets.

    Keep a honey comb on that sucker for sure to prevent glint and protect the objective lens.

    In regard to slings, well single point is great if you have the proper sling mount like the GG&G buffer tube mounts. But the two to one point slings are my favorite. Like the ones found at wilderness or harrison tactical made some in iraq for guys.

    it allows you to sling it, cross body, and when you need to roll on a corner or need to shoot from off shoulder, etc. just hit that front buckle and you have the single point! best sling out there in my exp.

    Buttstocks are important too, like the vltor emod or LMT sopmod. That solid CONSISTANT cheek weld make shots count. there solid and hold batts also which is good for the NODS, or hub batts for harris radios, etc.

    Miad grips are awesome also. They give you that CONSISTANT finger placement and grip on the grip. we all know that consistant is accurate right, so anything that can be done to make us fit that weapon better is a money maker.

    BUIS is a great item, the matech ones shoot great! easy to emply with no locks or anything. They are a little less robust than GG&G or other such sights but they get the job done just fine.

    Flash suppressor might be a good items to look at also. The A2 birdcage is not the best, the smith vortex is alot better. But you dont need that in iraq since were not even shooting anyone over there anymore.

    If your heading to Afgahn then look at that. Cans is a whole new topic, most units dont even get Subsonic ammo to begin with.

    hope this helps, D
    “It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.” Samuel Adams

    Those that bleed with me are forever my brothers OCT 28

  4. #24
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    forgot

    in regard to the PEQs. The Peq 15's are ass they shut off after a few minutes auto. So i prefer the peq 2 as they run as long as the switch is on. Nothing worse than lazing a target for some CAS for a talk on, or pointing somthing out to a supporting unit only to have you lazer shut off. Constant running is the way to go.

    Ive got a new PEQ 16 but am not sure how that thing is yet i havent used it.
    “It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.” Samuel Adams

    Those that bleed with me are forever my brothers OCT 28

  5. #25
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    Thanks for this thread... This is something we can all use to see how things hold up in harsh conditions.

  6. #26
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    I'm over here now and the best thing that I have found to keep the M4 clean is WD40. Its widely available and doesnt attract as much sand and dust as CLP.

  7. #27
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    I was in OEF and OIF. I had an M4 that ran flawlessly. I can't say enough good about that weapon. I cleaned it often and kept a light coat of Ballistol Sportsman's oil on it and it never let me down. I had an ACOG. I'm a big fan. I also like the EOTech, though. Especially on Machineguns. I used a 3 point sling. It worked decently, but it would have been better to have an ambidextrous sling. M4 gunners in my unit were issued the 77gr Sierra/Black Hills rounds. Awesome! My buddy had a one shot kill to an insurgent's chest with that round. We had plate carriers instead of regular flaks. They were much more comfortable and easier to move in, but don't offer as much protection. Better mags would have been nice. I had mostly standard GI mags with Ranger Floorplates, another good product. I had a steel HK mag. It was rugged, but I had to quit using it because it kept falling out of the mag well for no reason.

  8. #28
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    When I was in Al Hillah, we used just plain jane CLP. I wish we had M-Pro 7

  9. #29
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    I came across an article in the New York Times this morning, "In Battle,Hunches Prove To Be Valuable Assets." Its not a technical Lesson Learned, I thought I'd post it anyway. Basically its research and science about "trusting your gut". I took particular interest in the section "Seeing What Others Miss". Drawing on past experiences, knowledge of your AO,ect. you can detect threats.
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/he...rain.html?_r=1

    I also included this article which will speak for itself, its worth reading on a number of levels.
    http://spectator.org/archives/2007/1...ngest-morning#

  10. #30
    I didn't have any luck with mil-tec. I still found it best to lube with a liquid.

    The same goes for graphite dry lubes.

    I found H&K steel magazines to be unreliable. Occasionally the lip between the brass and the bullet would catch on the magazine as the cartridge attempted to feed into the chamber. If your buffer spring weren't brand new it would happen even more frequently.

    Aimpoints are tough as nails. Enough said.

    I also found a long piece of rebar worked great a as a swizzel stick for stirring burning crap.

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