If you have used a full-auto weapon in combat, was it in full- or semi-auto mostly?

The only time I have used a rifle-sized full auto weapon on full auto was a BAR (which doesn't have a selective fire option), and I was fortunately trained as a recruit to tap off single rounds.

As a company commander, I had a standard $50 fine for firing a shoulder weapon full auto.

Full auto is for mounted weapons -- bipod, tripod or other mount.

The only time we ever did FA/3rd in training was when doing ambushes (either conducting or reacting to) building/trench clearing or for the FDF in a defense. Blanks and live.
FA definitely has an application.

I didn't do any door kicking when I went down range, just convoy escort, and perimeter defense and all shots were sa.

Full-auto in combat is a sure way to run out of ammo before the other side does!

Other then suppressing fire at a fixed base where ammo re-supply is not an issue, or counter-ambush while taking cover, I can't think of any legitimate use for it, unless it is by a belt-fed weapon.


rcmodel

Three round burst on nearly all the time except when actually picking out specific targets and "aiming" more carefully and actually having the time to move the stupid switch.

Full-auto. Driving thru Panama City, at night, with the PDF tring to take us out. No joy.

Hey Vern, me too! USMC? They did have a selector to
turn on the rate of fire. Like Vern points out, always strived
to stoke the trigger for the least amount, for accuracy control
from the recoil. With a lot of practice and set on AS, one to
two round blips were very accurate to way out there. Sustained
fire seldom used unless it was SHF and didn't matter how many hits
Sustained is really hard on barrels and changes in the field, I've
never seen. A couple of 20 rounders heats them up pretty good.
Continue to fire reliable, but barrel damage eventually occurs a little
more each time

Can someone give a breif summary of which applications are best suited to single shot and which are best for auto?

FA- kicking in doors, clearing out a trench/bunker, conducting an ambush, reacting to an ambush, in your foxhole and the wave of tangos are in the wire.
Basically up close, multiple targets, no friendlies in your field of fire. But this does not mean hold the trigger till the mag is empty.

SA- all other times.

I definitely would not be using burst on something 50+ meters away. Its kind of amazing just how fast you can empty a 30rd when firing a single round at a time against multiple targets.

Can someone give a breif summary of which applications are best suited to single shot and which are best for auto?

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I think a Lt. in Vietnam was quoted "full auto is a free ticket across a street".

It is useful for suppressive fire, everything else is semi.

Hey Vern, me too! USMC?

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The 3rd MarDiv deployed to Viet Nam with two regular regiments and one reserve regiment. When the reserve regiment returned home, it was replaced by an Army brigade -- 1st Bde, 5th ID. I was a company commander in that brigade, so I can wear the 3rd MarDiv patch as well.

The 3rd MarDiv in Viet Nam and the 2nd ID in WWI are the only combined Army-Marine divisions to see combat in US history.

Great job!!!! Mine Nov 57 to 65 Rifle Co., Recon/sniper,
Short Reserve time with a VMF/VMA airwing. Don't have
to tell ya that being a grunt did not have the same pleasure
level as having wings!

The 3rd MarDiv in Viet Nam and the 2nd ID in WWI are the only combined Army-Marine divisions to see combat in US history.

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Not true... In the current war in Iraq, Army Brigade Combat Teams are serving regularly under the command of MarDivs/MEFs.

I know for fact that soldiers of 1st BCT, 1st Infantry Division are authorized to wear a combat patch of the 1st Marine Division... Kinda ironic, since Marines dont wear shoulder sleeve insignia.

Great job!!!! Mine Nov 57 to 65 Rifle Co., Recon/sniper,
Short Reserve time with a VMF/VMA airwing. Don't have
to tell ya that being a grunt did not have the same pleasure
level as having wings!

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And, but didn't you miss the leeches, the sodden web gear, the neck deep swamps, and all the other glories of the infantry?

In the current war in Iraq, Army Brigade Combat Teams are serving regularly under the command of MarDivs/MEFs.

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Different situation -- they are not integrated into a division as we were.

i only use semi my m16 a4 had 3 rd burst but i never used it, i stuck to semi only.

Semi-auto only

Doc's M9 did not have a selector switch, but the trigger time on the .50 made up for it.

As a retired Air Force Combat Arms instructor I can tell you this much. Most of the time we fire on "Semi". The M16 is capable of being fired on 3 round Burst but it's generally not a good idea, especially if you happen to be deplyed out in an area when the feces hits the fan and getting an ammunition resupply may take a while. Many of the dead U.S. Servicemen in Viet Nam were found with the M16 Bolts locked back, selector lever on auto and an empty magazine in the mag well. So what's that tell you? They panicked and went into the "Spray and Pray" mode. The M16 also fires from a closed bolt and the barrel can overheat pretty fast on auto or burst. The military does use designated machineguns that fire on full auto only. Some examples of these would be the M240, M249, the M60(AKA "The Pig"), the M2. These guns fire from an open bolt, and are capable of rapid barrel changes when the barrels get to hot. These are used to provide suppressive fire and engage large targets like vehicles or groups of soldiers. It's a royal PIA if you get assigned one of these heavy machine guns and have to carry this gun around plus your spare barrel and the damned ammo for it. Contrary to what you see in many of these cheap action movies aimed fire is far more effective than sustained fire.

As a retired Air Force Combat Arms instructor I can tell you this much. Most of the time we fire on "Semi". The M16 is capable of being fired on 3 round Burst but it's generally not a good idea, especially if you happen to be deplyed out in an area when the feces hits the fan and getting an ammunition resupply may take a while. Many of the dead U.S. Servicemen in Viet Nam were found with the M16 Bolts locked back, selector lever on auto and an empty magazine in the mag well. So what's that tell you? They panicked and went into the "Spray and Pray" mode. The M16 also fires from a closed bolt and the barrel can overheat pretty fast on auto or burst. The military does use designated machineguns that fire on full auto only. Some examples of these would be the M240, M249, the M60(AKA "The Pig"), the M2. These guns fire from an open bolt, and are capable of rapid barrel changes when the barrels get to hot. These are used to provide suppressive fire and engage large targets like vehicles or groups of soldiers. It's a royal PIA if you get assigned one of these heavy machine guns and have to carry this gun around plus your spare barrel and the damned ammo for it. Contrary to what you see in many of these cheap action movies aimed fire is far more effective than sustained fire.

I could see full auto for room clearing, but for most other jobs, you want your support/overwatch dudes full auto, such as your saw or 60 gunners, let them keep everyone elses heads down.

Semi-auto most all the time if you need more firepower than that you get a S.A.W. or a 50 cal that are belt fed.

only time ive used 3rd was in MOUT trainin to empty mags full of blanks.

In Nam I used my M-16 on either semi or full auto fire depending on what was happening in front of me. DOTS equates to: Depends On The Situation and that is what we'd say. I only used it on full auto fire mode three times. One time was to spray an area for suppressing some enemy fire. Two times I used it with tracers to signal aircraft on where to place the rockets or bombs. From above those pilots can see where two auto fire rifles shooting tracers cross and they can drop a bomb where "X" marks the spot. When the enemy realized that they were marked with tracers like that, they'd get up and run away in a panic. We'd actually see them stand up, turn away and run. One time they even left behind a belt-fed machinegun of theirs that we took as a trophy.

I would say semi 99% of the time

During my Army years, I used the old selective fire M16A1 and M16A2 riles. I never had a practical reason to use anything besides semi-auto. I carried 210 rounds and if you are not aware, that can be used up very quickly. Also, it is tough to stay on target beyond 75 yards on full auto.

It is different with a machine gun, such as the old M60. The full machine gun is an incredibly awesome weapon. I could engage targets from 800 to 1000 yards. Basically, if I could see it, I could hit it. There is a reason enemy soldiers want to take out the machine gunner. Just do not try to Rambo with the belt fed M60 because the belts will break.