SIGforum
Vietnam War M16s left behind
October 08, 2024, 11:41 AM
SpielerVietnam War M16s left behind
I'm just back from a trip to Vietnam and stopped off at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City where I spotted these four different AR15/M16s left in country after the US withdrawal. I thought some of you here would find the lower receiver markings interesting.
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People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election. - Otto von Bismarck
October 08, 2024, 12:39 PM
GustoferThings like that always make me wonder about the guy they were issued to. Who was he and what happened to him?
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"Great danger lies in the notion that we can reason with evil." Doug Patton.
October 08, 2024, 12:47 PM
12131His name is probably on The Wall.

Q
October 08, 2024, 04:59 PM
m499No Mattel lowers?

October 08, 2024, 05:34 PM
sigarmsp226Thanks for taking time to photograph there and sharing.
October 10, 2024, 04:03 AM
Gabe123quote:
Originally posted by Gustofer:
Things like that always make me wonder about the guy they were issued to. Who was he and what happened to him?
The last guy who carried it might not have been a USGI at all. Could have been a Republic of Vietnam (the South) soldier. After they surrendered the Vietcong took over everything not unlike what happened in Afghanistan.
October 10, 2024, 10:35 AM
CPD SIGquote:
Originally posted by Gabe123:
quote:
Originally posted by Gustofer:
Things like that always make me wonder about the guy they were issued to. Who was he and what happened to him?
The last guy who carried it might not have been a USGI at all. Could have been a Republic of Vietnam (the South) soldier. After they surrendered the Vietcong took over everything not unlike what happened in Afghanistan.
Which makes me wonder, 45-50 years from now, is Afghanistan going to be a vacation destination?
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"When its time to shoot, shoot. Dont talk!"
“What the government is good at is collecting taxes, taking away your freedoms and killing people. It’s not good at much else.” —Author Tom Clancy
October 10, 2024, 10:50 AM
RogueJSKquote:
Originally posted by CPD SIG:
Which makes me wonder, 45-50 years from now, is Afghanistan going to be a vacation destination?
Sure. Just like in Vietnam, there will be package deals where you can tour the Taliban caves, get your photo taken on a rusty MRAP, fire a magazine through a clapped-out M4, and wander through a museum with Engrish placards describing the triumph of the faithful freedom fighters over the decadent Western devils.
October 10, 2024, 03:56 PM
sigfreundquote:
Originally posted by Gabe123:
The last guy who carried it might not have been a USGI at all.
That was my first thought.
► 6.0/94.0
To operate serious weapons in a serious manner. October 10, 2024, 04:06 PM
Ace31At least the loss was most likely more honorable vs the loss in the Afghanistan pull out.

October 10, 2024, 05:41 PM
kobraThanks for sharing the information. I thought GM Corp. - General Motors only built cars/trucks -automotive parts?
HK firearms Collector
October 10, 2024, 07:26 PM
RogueJSKquote:
Originally posted by kobra:
Thanks for sharing the information. I thought GM Corp. - General Motors only built cars/trucks -automotive parts?
Nope. They've been making armaments since WW1, practically since GM's inception.
For small arms specifically, during WW2 they produced over 2.7 million M1 and M2 carbines, about 600k M3 SMGs, and over a million Browning M2 and M1919 MGs. Followed later during the Vietnam era by about 500k M16s.
But their production over the last century+ has also included a wide range of artillery guns, anti-aircraft guns, tanks, tank destroyers, APCs, AFVs, fighter planes, bombers, naval cannons, aircraft cannons, and more.
Not to mention ammunition, bombs, artillery shells, mortar shells, torpedoes, etc.
October 10, 2024, 10:27 PM
sigfreundWhen North Vietnam stepped up their assault on the South after the US picked up our ball and went home despite being points ahead, the RVN begged for the support that the US had pledged to give if that happened. No aid was forthcoming. The reasons for the loss of those weapons to the Communists was every bit as bad as what happened in Afghanistan, if not worse—at least in principle, if not degree.
I recommend the book
Black April: The Fall of South Vietnam, 1973-75 by George J. Veith.
► 6.0/94.0
To operate serious weapons in a serious manner. October 11, 2024, 04:30 AM
P220 Smudgequote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK:
For small arms specifically, during WW2 they produced over 2.7 million M1 and M2 carbines
Yep, the Inland Division. More M1 carbines produced than any other manufacturer, including all the M1A1's if memory serves. I have a '44 Inland.
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Endeavoring to master the subtle art of the grapefruit spoon.
October 11, 2024, 09:34 AM
nukeandpaveDont forget Saginaw Steering Gear.
October 11, 2024, 04:26 PM
rat2306..nor forget GM's Guide Lamp Division.
https://www.americanrifleman.o...-motors-went-to-war/Back when I had a little bit of grunt training in '78 my M16A1 was a Hydra-Matic made one.
October 11, 2024, 07:10 PM
bionic218On topic: That's an interesting pic. Which was the E1 again? The carbine? Or am I reading it wrong?
Off topic: Helped a farmer friend buy a M-1 Garand for an anniversary gift for her farmer husband. She was excited when she found out you could buy one made by International Harvester.
October 11, 2024, 07:55 PM
RogueJSKquote:
Originally posted by bionic218:
On topic: That's an interesting pic. Which was the E1 again? The carbine? Or am I reading it wrong?
Nope. Good eye. That's a XM16E1 lower.
The E1 was the experimental transitional model between the original M16 and the M16A1. It's where the forward assist was introduced.
October 11, 2024, 08:18 PM
bionic218quote:
It's where the forward assist was introduced.
Ah, that makes sense. Thanks, Rogue.
October 12, 2024, 12:17 AM
sjtillquote:
Yep, the Inland Division. More M1 carbines produced than any other manufacturer, including all the M1A1's if memory serves. I have a '44 Inland.
So do I.
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