| From: | Starrngr@***.com Starrngr@***.com |
|---|---|
| Subject: | squad automatic rifle |
| Date: | Mon, 9 Aug 1999 20:41:08 EDT |
suderman@*****.ocean.fsu.edu writes:
> I've been perusing 'Theory and Dynamics of Tactical Operations' [can anyone
> recommend better reading?] and I realized I don't know what a 'squad
> automatic rifle' is. The M-16 is a rifle and can fire on automatic, but
> everyone carries one (don't they?). The M-60 is an automatic, but not a
> rifle (is it?). The B.A.R. has the right name, but it's kinda achaic
> (isn't it?).
> Sorry for the newbie question...
>
> Keith
Ah, somethng I can answer!
The Squad Assault Weapon or SAW is a weapon chambered to firle 5.56n rounds,
and can use either a tradional box clip ala an M-16 or belted rounds. The
general idea is when out on a patrol, you use the box since its lighter to
carry, but when you go into a fixed position for either ambush or whatever,
you drop the built in bi-pod and load a belt. Designated the M-249, it was
designed to give a squad a machine fire weapon that could also be used
without having to "set up" in case you are the ambushee instead of the
ambusher, as well as being lighter to carry and handier to use (Since people
like John Rambo are more myth that real)
