Military Rifle Question: Circa 1966.

[Ithacaman]

In July, 1966 I had the experience of taking Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio. I qualified as an expert marksman. But for the life of me, I cannot recall exactly what firearm we were trained on. Anybody out there know or care to make an educated guess? Thanks guys.

Proud Veteran

 

[Rebar]

I'd guess the M1 Garand.

 

[Ithacaman]

Not an M1.

That much I'm sure of.

Thanks for trying to help.

 

[Oldnamvet]

I went through basic in 1968 (Army) and we trained with both the M-14 and the M-16. A buddy in the USAF at that time also went through basic and he trained with only the M-16. I would guess either the M-14 or M-16, more likely the latter. I think the only reason they trained us with the M-14 was for bayonet fighting.

 

[NMshooter]

USAF adopted the M-16 in 1962.

I think before that the M-1 carbine was standard, from talking to folks, but I do not know for sure.

 

[Rebar]

Then it must have been the M-14. I doubt if the new M-16s reached down to the basic training camps.

 

[NMshooter]

The Air Force never issued the M-14 except to special operations and EOD.

 

[Seven High]

I joined the USAF in 1963. I do not recall seeing an M 14 at Lackland AFB or any other base I served at. I believe it would have to be a M1 or M2 carbine or the M16.

 

[bakert]

In 1960 they were using the M1 carbine. Not sure what year they started using the M16.

 

[Rebar]

The Air Force used the carbine as their primary basic training weapon? What, there wasn't enough Garands to go around?

 

[NMshooter]

The Air Force never had M-1 rifles to my knowledge.

 

[Father Knows Best]

The Air Force used the carbine as their primary basic training weapon? What, there wasn't enough Garands to go around?

Rebar, this is the USAF we're talking about. "Air Force." Not Army. Not Marines. Not much call for a main battle rifle. USAF was only concerned with base security. It issued M1 and M2 carbines from the time it separated from the Army until the M16 was adopted. It never had a need for the M1, M14, etc. Accordingly, why bother training new recruits on those weapons?

 

[ocabj]

One of the guys I know at my club's range was Air Force during the 60s and said they qualified on the M1 Carbine and used them for base security.

 

[Cosmoline]

Who needs a Garand when you have these:

 

[Sunray]

In 1966, it was very likely an M-14. More likely an M-1 or M-2 Carbine though.
"...By mid-1965 users began receiving their first M-16s..." Said users being AF, SF, Rangers and Paras.
Don't know how well researched it is, but it's a good read.
http://www.mst2-vietnam.info/Stoner_ordnance_notes/stonerhtml/m-16.htm

 

[chuckles]

By then it was the M-16. Prior to 1964 it was the carbine. I did basic in 1965 and we qualified on the M-16. I understand that the USAF was the first branch to actually adopt the M-16 after Lemay watched a demo. As a Sentry Dog Handler/Military Policeman, we were issued .38 Combat Masterpiece revolvers stateside and the M-16 sub-machinegun in RVN. I think the AF versuon was the XM-177 or something similar. Collapsible stock, real short barrel, big flash suppressor. 20 rd mags only and no forward assist. Regular security guys used the M-16. We fired the M-1 Carbine in police school but all AF used/qualified with the M-16 by 1965. I never saw any M-14s or Garands (except NM rifles) in Air Force armories. (1965-69) Lots of nice Model12 Riot Guns though, complete with 16" bayonets!

 

[Commissar Gribb]

when I was in USAF basic training in 2001, I was trained and tested on an M16A1 (IIRC they were oooold armalite rifles too). old sights, FA, light barrel and birdcage supressor.

we even used 20 rounders that look like they'd been picked up after a battle in southeast asia and put in DoD storage.


the idea was "the few of you who actually have to use a weapon in combat will be using A2's but this will give you a general idea of how those work"

 

[Essex County]

M 16

I went through Lackland in May of '66. At other bases I was issued the M1 carbine or the M2. They were replaced with the M 16 in early 1970..Essex

 

[Ithacaman]

Thanks everybody for your welcomed input.

I think Chuckles was in the 10 ring with his answer that is was the M16. I had been torn between M16 and M14 after someone suggested it could have been the M14.

I remember at the time looking at this gun with no wood on it and thinking it didn't look real. I also remember qualifying in a platoon mostly made up of city kids from Cleveland who scared to death of guns. Fortunately for the DIs, there were a few of us rural Ohio rabbit hunters in the platoon. I like to think were like Sgt. York and trained the rest but it would only be a dream.

Ithacaman

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

I did basic in Lackluster, er, Lackland AFB in Feb of 1967 and qualified with an M-16. Still remember my amazment at the sound of the spring--thought it sounded like a Matel toy.

When I got to Okinawa in 1969 I was put on the scramble team at the secure facility and given an M1 carbine that I never fired and for which I never received training. Just stood on the roof of the compound trying to look intimidating.

 

[eclancy]

Gentlemen,
I was there in May of 66. We received training on the M1 Carbine.
I hope this helps.
Thanks again
Clancy

 

[Lone Amigo]

Oct. 1965
M1 carbine (that had loose sights!)

 

[kcmarine]

Hm... can you remember anything about the rifle in general? Like if it was made of wood and steel?


EDIT:


Seems like you figured it out

 

[paintballdude902]

my father enlisted in the early to mid 60s and he didnt have to qualify with a rifle until was about to deploy to vietnam and then it was the m16

his basic consisted of shooting the .38s

 

[8mmman]

I was there in 1965 and we used M1 carbines and boy were they well used. My Dad had a like new one he got from the DCM in 1963 for $15.

After we had shot our scores the Guys who ran the range brought out a Green M16 and said this is what the USAF will be using in the future. They then put a little show on shooting it. Looked cool at the time.