Military Weapon Designations?

[RainDownmyBlues]

Even after the 5 years of active airborne infantry duty I served(Afghanistan), I never really understood the military designations for weapons.

Take the M-16 for example, we all know it as the rifle most of us carried since the sixties. Different varients of course, my SDM rifle was an accurized, 20" barrel, semi auto-only M16a4 with some pretty glass. But in WWII M-16 was a half track. And there are different things, M9 was a sub gun, and during my service was the side arm I was issued.


So obviously M stands for military, what about the numeral? Is it war specific, introduction? use? I see no logical way they are designating these weapons :banghead:


Someone enlighten me please.

 

[41magsnub]

Anyone care to guess how many M1's there are/have been between rifles, carbines, tanks, clothing, and etc?

There are M16 mines as well... M2 carbines vs an M2 Bradley... lots of examples like that!

 

[RainDownmyBlues]

Exactly, is there just someone saying ehhhhh NUMBAR 1 WEAPON! I just never understood it. M203 underslung.

Unrelated- are they adopting the M302 yet? That's a MUCH better design as your sights for the launcher are on the actual launcher itself, and you can load longer/different rounds. A corporal in the squad I led was always whining that his grenade sights were always off after firing his rifle for awhile.

 

[Jeff82]

http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/miscsystems.html

 

[jackstinson]

I always got a kick out of "P-51" and "P-38".
Both numbers designated fine pursuit aircraft and basic can openers.

 

[Owen]

M means Model. the number is sequential for a type.
The Navy uses MK (pronounced Mark) instead of M.

 

[Tommygunn]

I think "M" stands for "model." I could be wrong.

 

[Oro]

So obviously M stands for military, what about the numeral? Is it war specific, introduction? use? I see no logical way they are designating these weapons

Actually, "M" means "model," or in some cases (more often Navy, I think) "mark" (for "variation"). Take the halftrack you cited. The first iterations was M3 - something like "carrier, personnel, M-3 (Model #3). Later iterations and variants had different model names, like M-9 and M-16 (anti-aircraft). Gaps in the numbering scheme are usually other variants in use else where, or experimental ones not adopted.

Since the full designation of an issued item includes its description, then it's easy to see how you can have "Model 16" rifles, half-tracks, etc, etc.

 

[DMK]

It all started around the beginning of WWII. You had the M1 Medium Tank (Model 1, Tank, Medium), the M1 rifle, the M1 Carbine, the M1 subgun, M1 bayonet, etc.

Those various items were improved and replaced over the years. Some faster than others. For example, there were many different models of rifle (currently the M16 Rifle) classified since then, but only 4 carbines (currently M4 carbine).

I was always curious about the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank. Was the model count reset to the beginning again (like the Air Force did with Fighters and Bombers in the 60's - B29, B36, B47, B52, B1, B2) or was there never an MBT before the Abrams?

 

[NG VI]

Owen, Tommygunn, Oro, and DMK got it.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

I think the M1 Abrams was such a drastic departure / new technology that they started over. (Watched it on the history channel, so I'm an expert!)

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Jeff82's link nails it. Particularly this part: "The numerical type designators are not "globally" unique, but only within a certain category of equipment, like tanks, armoured vehicles, guns, etc. Therefore, the full designation for an item designated within this system must always include an item name."

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Actually, "M" means "model," or in some cases (more often Navy, I think) "mark" (for "variation"). Take the halftrack you cited. The first iterations was M3 - something like "carrier, personnel, M-3 (Model #3). Later iterations and variants had different model names, like M-9 and M-16 (anti-aircraft). Gaps in the numbering scheme are usually other variants in use else where, or experimental ones not adopted.

Since the full designation of an issued item includes its description, then it's easy to see how you can have "Model 16" rifles, half-tracks, etc, etc.

So why was the XM8 which would have become the M8, numbered as such? Shouldn't it have been the XM17 or M17?

And of course military pistols going from the M1911A1 to the M9. What happened to M2-8? Or did they just take the 9 from it being 9mm?

 

[rogertc1]

stop

 

[gunnutery]

jeff82, thanks for posting that link. I've been curious about all that for years, just couldn't find a good source.