My carry rifle in 'Nam

[Grunt67]

M16 A2 5.56mm / with M203 40mm grenade launcher attached underneath.
I'm sure some of our other 'Nam vets may recognize it.

20201221_232249.jpg

Needless to say, wish I still had it.

[BigAl52]

That there is an official assault rifle.

[Grunt67]

That it is. Very destructive weapon.
Back in the 90s, I bought a Colt AR15, similar to the M16 I had, semi auto, of course, then found & bought a 37mm flare launcher,
which was identical to the 40mm launcher. Wouldn't shoot the grenades due to size. Just wanted it for sentimental reasons ( crazy, maybe ). From a distance, you couldn't tell them apart. Finally gave the 37mm launcher to the local police Dept., later sold the AR,
during my downsizing effort, LOL.
The things a gun nut will do.........

[GunnyGene]

Those didn't show up for us until after I returned to the States in Dec '66. We had M14's. Although I did know of a couple guys who liberated early M-16's from USAF helo's they were guarding in Da Nang.

[Grunt67]

A lot of liberating went on in 'Nam. I might have done a bit myself.

[Centaur]

I had a Car15 and a 1911, but I sat in the front seat of a Huey gunship rather than being a ground pounder.

[JEBar]

I have no personal experience with rifles like that and have ultimate respect for those who carried them ..

[Hatchdog]

Grunt,

What is the part located just to the rear of the front sight on top of the hand guard? Maybe the attachment for the launcher?

Yes indeed, a weapon intended to assault whether in defense or offense. As it should be!

[GunnyGene]

A lot of liberating went on in 'Nam. I might have done a bit myself.

Yes, indeed. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

[Grunt67]

Grunt,

What is the part located just to the rear of the front sight on top of the hand guard? Maybe the attachment for the launcher?

Yes indeed, a weapon intended to assault whether in defense or offense. As it should be!

It's a flip up ladder sight for the launcher. Newer type than mine.
Mine attached back near the receiver, and a pain in the a.. to use.
BTW, the rifle in the pic, is the A2, mine was A1. the earliest. Main difference is the rear sight.
Our squad had a variety of weapons. Besides mine, there was M79 grenade launcher, 12 ga. pump shotgun, M60 machine gun, and hand grenades.
I carried 400 rounds for the M16 & 18 rounds for the launcher.
Can't have too much ammo.