when was the first time you saw an ar15 or m-16?

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The first (and so far only) time i saw (and shot) a M16A2 in real life was during my military service, we got to look at and fire the M16 and the AK 47 at one time, to familiarise ourselves somewhat with the weapons of the two superpowers. I must admit that i wasnt very impressed with either gun when compared to the AK5 (FN FNC) that resided in my locker at our quarters. The M16 felt like some plastic toygun and the AK47 felt like the Russian Lada Cars, It may be Rugged, but it didn´t feel like a reliable precision firearm, of course, statistics proves me wrong regarding the reliability part.
 
Dec '79, basic training at Lackland AFB, TX. Got to fire for qual once. Then went to the Security Police Academy as a Security Specialist in Feb '80 and got real intimate with M-16's, M-203's and M-60's.
 
1977

Was issued a M16A1 the last week of July 1977 at MCRD Parris Island.

I guess I had seen some earlier that week as more senior platoons marched by.
 
Late 60's. I had two neighbors that were about 10+ years older than me that went to Vietnam. They brought their guns back. Don't know how but they did.

One ended up working the counter at a convenience store. After getting robbed once, he carried his to work. As he walked to work, he would sling it over his back and throw a jacket or such over his shoulder to conceal the gun.

One other little note, those two guys were never quite the same after their tours. I am not saying anything was wrong with them, they just aren't the same.
 
rdoggsilva states:

In 1967 in Vietnam. We were trained with the M1 in boot. Had to learn to handle the M16 before being shipped out. I also hated them.
Click to expand...

Are you sure? In 67' the military was using the M-14 for training, and the M-16 for AIT before shipping out to Vietnam. I did my basic in 66' with the M-14, at Ft. Jackson, and my AIT in 67' with the M-16, at Ft. Bragg, 82nd Airborne Div., then off to Vietnam. Never saw an M1 anywhere?
Where did you do your basic training?
What branch of the military?
 
Well, I first shot an M-14 when I was a lad. An ex-Navy guy took me out with his collection of firearms and showed me how to shoot them. Among them was the M-14. The M-14 was a pleasure to shoot, and a delightful little gun. I would love to purchase an AR-15, but am not in a responsible financial position to do so, now. However, if Obama is elected (God forbid), I may find the money somehow, so that I can have a home-defense weapon, in case the leftists try another gun ban.
 
As a little kid at a gun store up in Maine. They had an AK variant too. Thought it was the coolest thing in the world.
 
Don't recall the first time I handled one. The first time I shot one was in the late summer of 1994 just before the Federal AW Ban. Lots of folks bought them thinking it would be their last chance to own one.
 
The first time I first saw an AR-15 close up was early last year when I got back into shooting sports. At that time I only had a Taurus PT-99 AFS and my high end precharged pneumatic air rifle. Right there and then I decided to purchase one and started shopping and saving for one. I thought the sight of a "Black Rifle" was very intimidating and sophisticated at the the same time.
 
My favorite rifle

My first time seeing an AR in real life was while helping a college buddy and his family move to a different house in (some unnamed state). We picked up the bed to move it out of the room, and there were 2 brand spankin new, never out of the box, Colt AR-15s. It definitely was a surprise to all of us, but very interesting to say the least. What I can't remember is what type of configuration they were, if they were the A1s with the vietnam type foregrip or A2s with the rounded heat shields. Either way, after that, I knew I would have at least one if not many. :D
 
2007...Jerusalem, Israel.

About ten IDF paratroopers ( I could tell by red boots and shoulder insignia) were sitting in a Jerusalem cafe eating lunch, with what appeared to be Colt XM177 commandos on their laps.

I don't count the times I've seen ARs at the range. That was the first time I saw them in person in public.
 
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Saw 1st one when I made my equipment jump in Airborne school at Ft Benning, Ga. in April, 1963. Were the 1st one, AR15 without the bolt assist.
 
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