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Conference repair::reserve_forces

Title:
Created:Wed Nov 15 1989
Last Modified:Thu Jan 01 1970
Number of topics:0
Total number of notes:0

34.0. "Exotic Weapons" by AKOV12::LORENTZEN () Wed Nov 29 1989 21:37

    This is a place to describe/discuss weapons which are of interest
    but may not be familiar to many of us.  Let's confine it to older,
    established systems. 
    
    The M110A2 is an unarmored, full tracked, heavy, self-propelled,
    8-inch (203mm) howitzer.  It weighs approximately 32 tons and is 
    capable of unparalleled (we're talking first round hits) accuracy
    to a maximum range of 30 km.  It is used predominately for general
    support fires in all geographical areas and under all climatic
    conditions.  It is used to provide accurate and continuous fires for
    the divisions and corps throughout the assigned areas of operation.
    It can fire deep counter artillery, air defense suppression and
    interdiction fires into enemy territory.  Strategic air movement can be
    accomplished but it takes a C-5 Galaxy to haul it.
    
    			Width		10 ft 4 inches
    			Length		35 ft 7 inches
    			Height		11 ft 4 inches
    			Weight 		62,540 lbs
    			Projectile	200 lbs
    			Propellant	48 lbs
    			Muzzle Velocity 2530 fps
    
    OK all you swabbies,,,, let's hear about those "rifles" aboard ship!!!
    
    Len
    
    
    		    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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34.1SUBURB::GLOVERPTangled MothballsThu Nov 30 1989 08:555
    
    
    WOW!!
    
    Phil.
34.2PEKING::NASHDFri Dec 01 1989 07:263
    My thoughts exactly, Phil.
               
    Dave
34.3More...CLOSUS::J_BUTLERLeave it better than you found it...Tue Dec 05 1989 21:5315
    Also, the 8-inch howitzer can fire nuclear projectiles (the assembly
    of the old round really isn't so bad once you practice a bit), chemical
    rounds (pretty good coverage, too), scatterable mines, and Improved
    Conventional Munitions (ICM  -- 'bomblets'). 'Bout the only thing
    it doesn't fire is illumination! The accuracy is phenomenal.
    
    Recently, the 8-inch howitzer has been replaced in the Active Duty
    Division Artilleries with the MLRS ('Multiple Locket-RauncherS'),
    but it has been retained in the National Guard. 
    
    It's an impressive weapon. When targeting is provided by EW (Electronic
    Warfare) assets it can deliver a 'bolt out of the blue' first-round
    Fire-For-Effect mission that will REALLY get your attention! 
        
    John B.
34.4correct me if I'm wrongMPGS::MCCLUREWhy Me???Wed Dec 06 1989 16:377
    re .0
    Ok, I know there is another model of the 8 inch that is armored,
    with the gun enclosed. Is there any difference in the capabilities
    of the cannon? Incidentally, this model is used by other NATO
    countries, as I recall a unit at Grafenwoher as Royal Horse Artillery.
    
    Bob Mc
34.5Could be an M109AKOV12::LORENTZENWed Dec 06 1989 20:1215
    There is a ballistic shield which may be attached to the M110A2 which 
    provides the crew some protection from small arms fire and shrapnel.
    It's not really armor and wouldn't help much with a direct hit from any
    kind of heavier weapon.
    
    The modification does not alter the function or specification of the
    gun.
    
    There is another self-propelled (SP) howitzer which was designed with
    an armored enclosure.  It's much newer than the 8" M110 and is
    designated the M109.  It's a 155mm system and is in much wider use than
    the 8".  I've seen a lot of them but never got closer than 10 or 15
    feet so don't know much about them.  
    
    Len 
34.6AK47,UZI,MP5PEKING::NASHDWhatever happened to Capt. Beaky?Tue Dec 12 1989 13:257
    A few weapons I've heard about, seen on TV or read about;
    has anyone fired the AK47, or an Uzi or the H & K MP5?
    
    What are they like to shoot, disassemble, reassemble, clean, carry?
     
                                       
    
34.7SAC::PHILPOTT_ICol I F 'Tsingtao Dhum' PhilpottTue Dec 12 1989 13:5030
I own an Uzi (and a MAC 10) - both are in an army armory in Manchester at the
moment.

The Uzi is solid, reliable, easy to field maintain and highly over-rated. The 
micro-Uzi derivative (looks like a pistol, 'wire' front grip and a cyclic rate
of 1250 rounds per minute - favourite toy of the US Secret Service) is what the
Uzi should have been...

I've fired various types of AK47 variant (including the Valmet civilian hunter 
based on the AK action). It was good in its day, but is getting long in the 
tooth - the ammo is underpowered also. The Israeli Galil is probably the best
derivative. Certainly more forgiving (recoil wise at least) than the SLR. The 
Galil has been called a rifle designed for soldiering: the bipod doubles as 
a fore-grip and incorporates a wire cutter. The rifle also incorporates a 
bottle opener (since soldiers were observed using the trigger guard to open 
beer bottles...)

The MP5 is one of the best machine pistols around. Accurate, moderate recoil,
reliable (both mechanically and jam free) and fairly light. Favourite weapon of
Manchester Chief Constable Anderton incidentally... Personally prefer the 
Walther, but only because all H&K weapons chew the brass. The flip of this is 
that the MP5 is extremely jam resistant, even with very dirty ammo.

Of the Off the shelf weapons today I'd choose the H&K G3 (especially the sniper 
variant) as my service rifle, the MP5 for a combat smg if I'm in a vehicle, but 
I prefer the micro-Uzi when working in mufti (concealable) or for house sweeping 
(very portable). For a hand gun I'll stick with the Sig-Sauer P226 (Known as 
the P6 in military trim).

/. Ian .\
34.8I like VALMET, want to buy L1A1 also!EEMELI::SALMINENTroubleSHOOTER HannuMon Nov 25 1991 15:1643
>    has anyone fired the AK47, or an Uzi or the H & K MP5? 	<
    
>    What are they like to shoot, disassemble, reassemble, clean, carry?<

	During my military service in Finnish Defense Forces I used
	VALMET assault rifle in 7.62x39 caliber. I liked the weapon,
	because it worked in any condition (e.g -30 degrees centigrade
	in snow and dirt). It is based in the Kalashnikov action, but
	somewhat more precisely machined.

	Kalashnikov-style assault rifles are extremely easy to 
	field strip and clean up, we trained to field strip and
	assembly them with eyes closed and tied - 25 seconds.
 
	About to carry it - well, after 30 kilometres skiing I felt
	it too heavy with other equipment we had to carry!!

	VALMET is more expensive than Chinese or Hungarian Kalashnikovs,
	so when buying an own one I chose an Hungarian Kalashnikov. I've
	been shooting it every now and then, mostly I like to shoot my
	sniper rifle, but sometime I want to keep my basic skills with
	this automatic also.

	Last sunday I was in army training range shooting my Kalashnikov
	using a pistol scope mounted over the barrell - it is easier in
	fast shooting than "normal" rifle scopes. The accuracy was not
	as good as my friends AR-15 heavy barrell version, but on the 
	other hand I think Kalashnikov is more reliable in field condition. 
	   
	I'm interested in buying a L1A1 rifle, could you give me address
	for some English dealer, and price estimation?

					Regards,	Hannu