What pistol did the US use in Vietnam?

Pistols and revolvers Colt M1911A1 – standard US and ARVN sidearm. Colt Commander – used by US military officers and US Special forces. Browning Hi-Power – used by Australian and New Zealand forces (L9 pistol).

What caliber was used in Vietnam?

Standard issue for infantrymen in Vietnam was the M-16, a gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle that could fire 5.56 mm-caliber bullets accurately over several hundred yards at 700-900 rounds per minute on its automatic setting; it could also be used as a semi-automatic.

What did US soldiers carry in Vietnam?

US Infantrymen (grunts) carried either a rifle (M-16), or a machine gun (M-60, belt fed), or an M-79 grenade launcher. If the grunt was a radio operator (RTO-Radio Telephone Operator) he also carried a radio ON HIS BACK.

What was the best gun used in the Vietnam War?

M16 Assault Rifle – More specifically, the M-16A1 – 5.56mm – was one of the most distinguishable hand held weapons of the Vietnam War. The reliability of this rifle is reflective in its continued use by US forces today.

Was the tommy gun used in Vietnam?

During the Vietnam War, some South Vietnamese army units and defense militia were armed with Thompson submachine guns, and a few of these weapons were used by reconnaissance units, advisors, and other American troops.

What machine guns were used in Vietnam?

The machine gun was a primary suppression weapon for all sides of the Vietnam War – led by the likes of the classic American M60.

• 1917. Browning M1917 (Model 1917)
• 1919. Browning M1919 GPMG.
• 1921. Browning M2.
• 1928. Ceska Zbrojovka vz.
• 1928. Degtyarev DP LMG (DP28)
• 1949.
• 1938.
• 1953.

How much ammo do soldiers carry in Vietnam?

A soldier’s basic load was 6 fully loaded 30 round magazines or 180 rounds. But most carried as many rounds as as they could in bandoliers hung around their necks.

What guns did the North Vietnamese use in the Vietnam War?

The North Vietnamese Army forces did not use tanks in large numbers. The N.V.A. relied on the Soviet-made T-54/55 as one of their main battle tanks. Fitted out with a 100mm, turret-mounted main gun, the T54/55 fired anti-armor and high explosive rounds at a range of about 16,000 yards.

What guns did America use in Vietnam?

M16. The M16 would become the standard service rifle for U.S. troops during the 1960s, seeing widespread use in Vietnam and largely replacing the M14.

What caliber does the M60 machine gun shoot?

7.62mm
M60 7.62mm Machine Gun. The M60 Machine Gun has been the US Army’s general purpose machine gun since 1950. It fires the standard NATO 7.62 mm round and is used as a general support crew-served weapon. It has a removable barrel which can be easily changed to prevent overheating.

Did the 9mm come into use in the US Army?

No, the 9mm did not come into use in the US Army until the 1980’s. The standard handgun for US troops in Vietnam was the M1911A1 45 caliber pistol. I carried one in addition to my M-79. You could use any weapon you wanted, guys had all different kinds of side arms.

What submachine guns were used in the Vietnam War?

Captured models were used in limited numbers. MP 40 submachine gun – used by South Vietnamese forces, supplied by the CIA. Owen Gun – standard Australian submachine-gun in the early stages of the war, later replaced by the F1. Sten submachine gun – used by US special operations forces, often with a suppressor mounted.

Why did the US Army have so many revolvers in Vietnam?

The Army quickly sent 10 of the unique revolvers and almost 1,000 rounds of ammunition to South Vietnam for tests. While intended for tunnel-scouting soldiers, the 23rd and 25th Infantry Divisions both handed the weapons over to their Ranger units. Special Forces soldiers reportedly got some of the guns, as well.

How effective were tunnel weapons in the Vietnam War?

“The tunnel weapon was found to be ideally suited for ambushes,” the final evaluation report says. As originally expected, the elite troops used their silent guns on various occasions to ambush and kill enemy officers. Above — an Army Ranger leaves a helicopter for a mission in Vietnam. At top — a “tunnel rat” poses inside a Viet Cong passage.