If you were hired as a Contractor...

The FAL failed the Israeli's in sandy conditions, so they came up with the Galil. Not that my dream is to be a merc, but I would take a Galil if it was and I was going.

I would take a flat top M4gery with an ACOG. Mainly because if you need a part or ammo you will be able to find it. And you can carry a whole lot more .223 than 7.62 .

I'd take an AK. The reason is this...You will dress in Iraqi civilian dress where the weapon you carry will be the first clue as to your nationality. A black AR sticks out like a sore thumb against the tan clothes. Similarly, the report between an AK and AR is very different. Why bring further fire on you by sounding the dinner bell.

I didn't see the last part. Go as simple and basic as possible. Depending on the MOS, Baghdad and Al Anbar are the wild west. Its no place to have fancy trinkets that may break/fall off/come loose. Leave anything battery operated or small for the DVD player and stay rugged and tested.

will dress in Iraqi civilian dress where the weapon you carry

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I wouldn't dress like an Iraqi and carry an AK around. That is a quick way to get shot by coalition forces. I don't even know why I am saying that. You will always be rolling out with your group and stand out anyways. They will know you are an American so don't worry about blending in, the insurgents don't give a flying f who they kill.

M4gery with an EOTech or maybe an ACOG with a JPoint-- better ergonomics than an AK and most other options and just about all my existing CQB and combat marksmanship training with an M4A1 means I would, personally, just be quicker and more accurate with it than the alternatives.

At least not without extensive retraining. If your question includes tons of range time and free ammo before going downrange, maybe a DSA Para with 16.25" barrel and the collapsible/folding stock option and 110 grain Hornady TAP for standard carry load. Same optic options. Put some sand cuts on the action if reliability is doubtful (though I've heard of some TCN contractors in Baghdad carrying FALs with no problems reported).

Any option would need to have a telescoping M4 type stock for jumping in and out of vehicles, transitioning from CQB sort of shooting to more deliberate long range stuff, etc.

But for an extra $50,000 a year, I'll carry any old AKM.

I'd roll out with an AK with tupperware furniture (in that new digital camo pattern), EOtech, and vertical foregrip.

But who cares what I would take... I'm a bartender.

In reality, I'd buy a SIG 55X that can take STANAG mags--lightweight, common ammo, common mags with the next guy, but a much, much better OS than the AR series. Stick an EOTech on top, and have a bayonet up and ready, and I'm good to go. Why the bayo? Never know when you're going to need it. That, and .308s a heavy round, and extra unnecissary weight is the last thing I want to haul around on the days when nothing happens--which there would inevitably be a lot of--and the extra rounds for the weight would come in handy when something does happen.

Just my opinion. And a SIG sidearm to match

M14 and irons.

When Habib punches the gas pedal of his Citroen complete with car bomb and heads straight at me screaming "Allah Akbar", I want something that will poke through some metal.

Back when this stuff all first started, I was offered a job doing that kind of thing. The pay sounded too good to be true, and it sounded stupidly dangerous. At the time, the whole contractor thing was totally new, and we had just had another child, so I turned it down.

Six months later, the guy who offered me the job was back in town, and the pay had actually been that good. Go figure.

That particular one didn't have a choice. I was told it was to be an HK G3 for that particular assignment.

They gave me a POS Bushmaster M16 copy. The receiver was marked "burst" but it fired full auto.

*shrug* Depends on who you work with. Lotsa guys got issued AKs becuase that's all the company had. Other companies are better equipped.

Heyday of military contracting is about over, I think.

AK to blend in, M14 for sniping, Kimber .45 for sidearm. Glock 17/19 for BUG. And maybe one of those funs I saw on Future weapons that explode at programmed distances.

An M4 because thats what I am familiar/trained with. I had considered a contractor gig when I got back but my SO would hear none of it. My dad had a contract offer to drive a tanker for KBR. They were offering $180k with taxes on only 20% for a six month contract at first. When they saw how many people were willing to run for that they dropped the rate to $80k taxed. He lost interest after that, and after seeing the video where NG troops abandoned a KBR convoy under fire he felt a little better about not going.

Anybody who has thoughts about taking a AK to "blend in" forget it. They know who you are, and you wont be fooling anybody. Besides all of the outfits I was aware of provide the rifle, and all I ever saw were Hks and ARs.

I'd still take the AK over the AR.

depends on what id be doing.

location security. id choose some thing in .308

convoy protection id go with 5.56

The notion of blending in with an AK is funny. The six foot white guy in a country of shorter and darker people can always blend.

Galil SAR, b/c it's 5.56 & it's an AK action. If not that, then an AKM.

Luckily for me, the only contract job I ever considered over there was IT work and I didn't have to bone up on these kinds of things.

jm

Since a SAW is not an option, I would have to take an AK of some sort with a forward grip, and solid stock, or a side folder, no under folder.

That particular one didn't have a choice. I was told it was to be an HK G3 for that particular assignment.

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Isn't that the case for most of these, not getting a choice?

It is my understanding that most of the time you take what you are given.

I'd take a GLOCK. I'd also take cover. If I needed a long gun, I'd take it from the guys who were trying to kill me.

There's a point to carrying concealed.

If I had to take a long gun? Probably my 870. Especially if I was doing house to house. Or security work. 00 12 pellet stuff. Attention getter.

I'm completely naive when it comes to what really happens in war, but for those who know; Is there any real risk of your attempt to blend in, getting you confused for an enemy combatant?

sorry if that's too O/T

Krebs Krink with M3 Aimpoint AND an issue M-4 with an Acog 3x. My worked over P-14 .45 and P 13 .45 work and they are on my war belt. But I could live with an M-9 or G17 and lots of mags, in which case I'd take my Glock 26 as a BUG.Can't forget the Mad Dog 3/16th" Voodoo Hound.