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The AR-15 in Vietnam....The early days?
When our Team Det. A-333 arrived in Nha Trang in June 1964 we came from Okinawa with the 7.62 M-14 which we handed off to the departing Team for their AR-15 the orginal Armalite/Colt model 5.56 rifle, without the foreward assist charging handle. Coupled with this we also had the orginal ball ammunition with the incorrect powder charge which caused many mal-functions, Needless to say No One took this POS out of Camp on patrol. Sure the 5.56 Ammo was lighter 12lbs./500 rounds vs the 19.4 lbs. for the BAR let alone the weight of 6 to 10 magazines of 150 grain 30.06 you carried for the basic load. When you engaged in a firefight you were dam happy to have that air cooled, gas operated, magazine fed, 20 rounds sholder type w/bipod AR.Just my .02 cents of long ago history....Regard's, tom kelly
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