U.S. Small Arms Factfile

[Matt Wiser]

Here's the U.S. Small Arms factfile: I corrected a few typos, and cleaned up a couple of entries, but it's the same one that was on the previous board.


U.S. Small Arms of World War III



During the Third World War, the U.S. Military and American Resistance used a wide variety of small arms in the conflict. While the Resistance often used captured Soviet-bloc weapons, many guerrilla groups also had access to U.S. Army Special Forces advisors, who often brought shipments of weapons to arm new groups or to augment an existing group's firepower. The military stuck to its standard-issue weapons for the most part, though some foreign purchases did find their way into military units, along with some use of captured weapons. This work will examine the most common weapons used by the U.S. Military and the Resistance during the war.


Pistols: Both military and civilian weapons are described here:


AMT Harballer: A stainless steel version of the Colt M1911A1 in .45 ACP. Often used by Resistance groups.

AMT .380 Backup: A small, lightweight weapon designed to be carried concealed as a backup or hold-out weapon. Not very good except in short-range combat. Some of these weapons were adopted by aircrews due to their ease of concealment in a survival kit.

Beretta Model 92S: the civilian verison of the U.S. Army's M9 automatic pistol produced by Beretta USA in 9-mm Parabellum. The M9 was produced by Beretta USA during the war for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, though many examples found their way into the hands of Air Force personnel.

Browning Hi-Power: Known as the last automatic pistol designed by the legendary John Browning. Though dated, it was still a reliable weapon, and not only was it used by the Resistance, but military personnel as well carried privately-purchased examples. 9-mm Parabellum.

Colt M1911A1: The A1 version of the famous Colt automatic in .45 ACP, which saw combat in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Intended to be replaced by the M9, the weapon soldiered on during the war and for some years after. The Combat Commander and Lightweight Commander versions also saw military use, as well as in Resistance hands.

Colt Government 380: A smaller version of the 1911A1 design, it fired the .380 ACP round. Intended for the law-enforcement and civilian markets, it was a common Resistance weapon.

Heckler and Koch P7: A 9-mm Parabellum weapon, it was designed in West Germany and produced by Heckler and Koch USA, it was used by CIA Special Operations Group members and by the U.S. Navy SEALs. The similar P9 and P9S also saw use by SEALs.

Makarov PM: The standard-issue Soviet-bloc pistol in 9x18-mm, the weapon was common in the Resistance, having been “liberated” from previous owners.

Ruger P-85: A 9-mm competitor to the Beretta 92S in the competition that resulted in Beretta winning the U.S. Army contract, the weapon was produced during the war for the Navy and Marine Corps, often being issued to aircrew in both services, as well as Navy Riverine crews and to Marine vehicle crews. The weapon also found its way to Resistance groups.

SiG-Sauer P226: A competitor in 9-mm that lost out to the Beretta M9, the weapon did find its way into law-enforcement use, as well as by the SEALs. Many in law-enforcement hands wound up in Resistance use, while others were shipped to Resistance groups.

Smith and Wesson 459/659/59: Produced by a firm more famous for its revolvers, the 459 in 9-mm lost out in the competition to replace the M1911A1. S&W continued to produce the weapon for civilian and law-enforcement use, and received military orders during the war. An earlier variant was the Model 59, and the 659 uses a stainless steel frame.


Revolvers:

The types of revolvers used by the Resistance are often too numerous to count, as many civilians and law-enforcement personnel who joined the Resistance brought their own personal weapons. Some weapons common to both military and guerrilla use are listed here:


Astra Model 357/Model 44: Made in Spain, this .357 Magnum revolver that made some inroads into the prewar American civilian market, the weapon was highly reliable and fairly inexpensive. Its 'big brother” the Model 44 in .44 Magnum, shared the 357's features and attributes.

Charter Arms Bulldog 45: A backup weapon preferred by many police officers, the weapon is lightweight and powerful. This weapon in .45 ACP was issued to USAF Combat Security Police and Army Military Police as a backup weapon, and some found their way into the hands of aircrews and vehicle crews.

Colt Python: A high-quality and highly powerful weapon in common use in the U.S. It was seen in “unofficial” military use, law-enforcement, and in civilian hands. This weapon in .357 Magnum was also seen in ALA hands, and captured weapons were a prized war trophy by Soviet-bloc officers.

Ruger Security Six: Used prewar by law-enforcement and in the civilian market, this .357 Magnum revolver was also a common weapon for aircrews and vehicle crews. Though not officially issued, many found their way into military and resistance hands during the war.

Ruger Redhawk: This large-caliber revolver (in either .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum) has a well-deserved reputation for being accurate and rugged. Some have rings for mounting a telescopic sight-as the weapon was also used for hunting(!).

Smith and Wesson Model 19: Designed in the mid-1950s, this .357 Magnum weapon was meant for law-enforcement officers. Many found their way into resistance hands, while others were carried by Military Police and by civilian law enforcement.

Smith and Wesson Model 27: Designed in 1935, it was the first pistol designed to use the .357 Magnum cartridge. This was General George S. Patton's revolver, and he carried two ivory-handled examples. A sturdy and heavily built weapon, with a reputation for accuracy and being a comfortable weapon for the shooter.

Smith and Wesson Model 29: The “Big Brother” of the Model 19 and the Model 27 in .44 Magnum, this was Inspector Harry Callahan's weapon in the Dirty Harry movies. Built on the same frame as the Model 27, the weapon was used as an anti-vehicle weapon by law-enforcement, being used to shoot out engine blocks. Some examples found their way into Resistance hands during the war.

Smith and Wesson Model 28 “Highway Patrolman.” A .357 Magnum revolver, this weapon was common in many police forces before the war and after. Many found their way into Resistance hands as their police owners joined guerrilla groups.

Smith and Wesson Model 38 “Chief's Special.” A .38 Special weapon often carried by plainclothes law-enforcement officers, the weapon was also favored by aircrews. Though not officially adopted, many aircrews privately purchased the weapon, while the Army eventually purchased a number for aircrew use on an “unofficial” basis.


Submachine Guns:

Though the U.S. Military had largely abandoned the weapon, other than the M3 “Grease Gun”, before the war, several SMG types did see service, often in the Special-Operations community, and being “acquired” by vehicle crews. Resistance groups used some of these as they were made available.

AKSU: The standard Soviet-bloc SMG, essentially a cut-down AK-74 in 5.45-mm, it was issued to vehicle crews and to Spetsnatz. Captured examples were used by the Resistance, and the first examples to turn up in the West were actually captured in North America.


Colt CAR-15: A carbine version of the M-16 originally intended for aircrews, but adopted by SOF in Southeast Asia, using the same 5.56-mm round as its big brother. Newer versions had a strengthened barrel housing to allow the M-203 grenade launcher to be mounted. Used by Army SF, SEALs, and many were provided to Resistance groups. Many aircrew on bases near the front lines also carried the weapon when on base.

CAR-15A1: A version of the CAR-15 only in 9-mm. Not adopted by the military, but it was used by some police forces in SWAT Teams-and thus found their way into Resistance hands.

Heckler and Koch MP-5. Produced in the U.S., by Heckler and Koch USA, in 9-mm, the weapon was frequently used by the Army's Delta Force, Navy SEALs, and by Army Rangers as a close-quarters battle weapon. Many others were “unofficially acquired” for use by vehicle crews and by helicopter crews. Many were “unofficially procured” from West Germany during the war.

Heckler and Koch MP-5SD: A suppressed version of the MP-5 with an integral sound suppressor. Used primarily by SOF.

Heckler and Koch HK-53. A version of the MP-5 in 5.56-mm. The weapon was produced by Heckler and Koch USA. Prewar, some had found their way into SWAT Teams before the war, and a few got into Resistance hands. Some were also “unofficially adopted” for vehicle and helicopter crews. Others were “procured unofficially” during the war.

Ingram MAC-10: A small SMG in 9-mm designed for clandestine operations, it was used, but not officially adopted, by the U.S. Military. Others were used by the CIA.

IMI Uzi: One of the most popular SMGs worldwide, it was used by the U.S. Secret Sevice and the Federal Marshals Service before and during the war. A civilian version with semiautomatic fire and a longer barrel was used by some Resistance groups, who often modified the weapon to fire in full automatic and cut down the barrel size.

M3 “Grease Gun”. A cheap, easily manufactured, and highly reliable WW II submachine gun, it was used primarily for vehicle crews at the outbreak of war. The .45 ACP round gave the weapon more stopping power than a 9-mm or a 5.56-mm, which may explain why it was kept in service.

PM-63: A Polish-designed weapon, issued to Polish AFV crews and airborne troops. It was also used by high-ranking Spetsnatz and KGB Alfa Group officers. Captured examples were used by the Resistance and by SOF, with the first examples to appear in the West being obtained in 1986.

Thompson M1A1: The famous “Tommy Gun” of WW II, and long out of military service, nevertheless, some Thompsons in civilian hands found their way into the Resistance, where it was used as a close-quarters weapon due to its .45 ACP cartridge (and stopping power).


Assault Rifles:

The U.S. Military did not have a monopoly on assault rifles, with the M-16 being commonly issued to police SWAT Teams, and semiautomatic versions of several assault rifles being available on the civilian market. Naturally, captured Soviet- bloc weapons found their way into Resistance hands, and were also used by Special-Operations Forces.


AK-74: The standard-issue Soviet-bloc rifle in 1985, though not in Cuban, Nicaraguan, Libyan, or Mexican service. The weapon fires the 5.45x39 round, and captured examples were commonly used by the Resistance and by SOF. It was praised for its ruggedness and dependability, features it inherited from its older brothers, the AKM and AK-47. A folding stock version for airborne and SOF use was designated AKS-74. Many “war trophy” AK-74s still exist in private hands today.

AKM: The “younger brother” of the classic AK-47, firing the same 7.62x39 round, it was used by Cuban, Nicaraguan, Libyan, and some Mexican units during the war. Civilian versions imported from China and Egypt in semiautomatic were beginning to be popular before the war in the civilian market in the U.S.. One of the most common weapons in Resistance hands, it was also used by some vehicle crews in the U.S. Army, notably in the 83rd Mechanized Infantry Division, in its folding-stock variant meant for airborne use, the AKMS. As with the AK-74, many “war trophies” are in private hands today in the U.S.

AR-18: Originally designed as an M-16 replacement, using the same 5.56-mm round, the weapon was not adopted by the U.S. Army, but did find some use in SWAT Teams. A civilian version in semiautomatic designated AR-180 was sold on the civilian market. Many survivalists who joined the Resistance brought their AR-180s with them, and the weapon found some use, especially in groups that had SF advisors, thus enabling ammo resupply.


FN FAL: This weapon, the first to use the 7.62-mm NATO round, was used by some Cuban and many Mexican units during the war, as the weapon had been purchased by the Cubans prior to 1961, and was a service weapon of the Mexican Army before the war. The SA version was popular in the civilian market, and many captured FALs found their way into Resistance hands.

FN FNC-SA: The FAL's “little brother”, firing the same 5.56-mm round as the M-16, the SA version of the fully automatic FNC was making inroads into the civilian market prior to the outbreak of war. The fully automatic version was used by both SOF forces and the CIA's Special Operations Teams, especially in foreign operations where deniability was a concern. Some found their way into regular military use, while some SA versions were converted to fully automatic weapons by Special Forces or Resistance gunsmiths.

Heckler and Koch HK-91: A semiautomatic version of the famous G3 rifle, the weapon in 7.62-mm NATO was popular as a survivalist weapon and by target shooters and collectors before the war. A number were used by Resistance members, sometimes with a four-power scope as a marksman's weapon, and as a hunting rifle. A 5.56-mm version designated HK-93 was also sold on the civilian market, and found its way into the Resistance.

M-2 Carbine: The fully-automatic version of the M-1 Carbine in WW II, and also used in Korea and Southeast Asia, many were passed to civilian hands after being modified for semiautomatic fire. Some wound up in the hands of Resistance groups, while others were supplied out of storage (in full auto mode) to State Guard units.

M-14: The predecessor of the M-16, this was the U.S. Military's first fully automatic service rifle, firing the 7.62-mm NATO round. Though replaced by the M-16 in the 1960s, many were still in service, in arms lockers aboard U.S. Navy ships, while thousands were still in storage. Many were issued to State Guard and Beach Patrol units, while the civilian version, the M1A, did see some Resistance use.

M-16: The standard-issue U.S. Military rifle, the M-16A1 was very common in 1985, with the A2 just beginning to enter service. The difference between the two was a heavier barrel in the A2, along with the elimination of fully automatic fire, which was replaced with a three-round burst feature. The A1 version remained in service throughout the war, and was only progressively replaced by the A2. Produced under license in South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, it was also used by the Canadian Army, as well as the ROK Expeditionary Force and the Taiwanese. The AR-15 was the civilian version in semiautomatic, and had versions based on both the A1 and A2. The weapon found its way into the Resistance by means too numerous to count, either from cut-off military personnel, to raids on Soviet held armories, and civilians bringing their own weapons to join the Resistance.

Ruger Mini-14/AC-556: The weapon made popular by the TV series The A-Team, the Mini-14 and its fully automatic variant, the AC-556, enjoyed some sales in both the U.S, as well as overseas. Firing the same 5.56-mm round as the M-16, the weapon has the same configuration as the M-14. It had begun to be popular among survivalists, and did find its way into the Resistance.


Battle Rifles:

M-1 Garand: The rifle that was “the greatest fighting weapon ever devised”, in the words of General George S. Patton, and the first semiautomatic service rifle anywhere, in .30-06. Used from 1936 until 1958, the M-1 was long out of service, but was a popular civilian hunting weapon as well as being in collectors' hands. A number of examples turned up in the Resistance during the war.

SKS: The first weapon to use the 7.62x39 round, this semiautomatic rifle was adopted into Soviet service in 1945, and license-produced in China and North Korea. The Chinese version (the Type 56) was sold in the civilian market in the U.S., and as such, saw almost all of its service during the war in the Resistance.


Sniper Rifles:

Note: many civilian sporting rifles fitted with sights were used by Resistance groups as sniper rifles; among them were the Browning BBR in 30-06, Colt-Sauer in .300 Winchester Magnum, Colt Sauer Grand Alaskan with the .375 H&H Magnum-often used in the Rocky Mountains and in Alaska; its cousin, the Grand African in .458 Winchester Belted Magnum-often used as an anti-material weapon; the Remington Model 700-in either .30-06, 7.62-mm NATO, or the .375 Magnum round, Ruger Model 77 in 7.62-mm NATO (.308), the Savage 110C in either .30-06 or the .300 Winchester Magnum, and the Winchester Model 70 in .270 Winchester, .30-06, .308, or .300 Winchester Magnum the most common.

Barrett M-82: The first sniper rifle to use the .50 Caliber round, it was orignially designed by Ronnie Barrett for the CIA to provide to the Afghan Rebels in their war against the Soviets. The weapon found its way into U.S. Miltiary service during the war, primarily by Special Operations Forces such as Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, Marine Force Recon, and Delta Force.

M-21: The standard U.S. Army sniper rifle at the outbreak of war, this variant of the M-14 is fitted with telescopic sights and a match-grade barrel.

M-40: Standard sniper rifle for the USMC in 7.62-mm NATO. The weapon is a modified Remington 700 with telescopic sights and match-grade barrels. M40A1 was the wartime version.

SVD: Soviet-bloc standard issue sniper rifle in 7.62x39, issued not only to Spetsnatz and Airborne Forces (VDV) but also one per motor-rifle squad. Captured examples used by Resistance not only as a sniper rifle, but also as a hunting rifle.


Shotguns: Note: All are in 12-Gauge.


Frenchi SPAS-12: An Italian-designed shotgun with folding stock with either automatic or pump action, it is known as the shotgun used by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie The Terminator. Intended as a weapon for use by law enforcement, some found their way into the civilian market, and into Resistance use. Others were “unofficially procured” from Italy and issued to Military Police units in the U.S. Army.

Ithaca Model 37: A pump-action shotgun commonly found in police and civilian hands as a hunting and target-shooting weapon.

Mossberg 500: Used by the U..S. Military as a combat shotgun, and also used by law-enforcement agencies as well as the civilian market. Its cousin, the Mossberg 590, also saw law-enforcement and civilian use. Often used in close-quarters combat and as a door-breaching weapon.

Remington 870: Also in U.S. Miliary use as a combat shotgun, and also commonly found in law-enforcement and civilian use.

Winchester 1200: The main shotgun used by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, as well as civilian use (without the bayonet lug).


Squad Support Weapons:


Browning Automatic Rifle: the famous BAR of World War II and Korea, firing the .30-06 round, the M1918A2 was still in storage in 1985. Though obsolete, the weapon was taken out of storage and issued to State Guard units lacking any kind of support weapon. Some versions were also in private hands, and a few of these were used by Resistance members.

M-249 SAW: Based on the Belgian Minimi, the M-249 SAW had just entered Army and Marine service when the war began, and eventually displaced the M-60 as the standard squad automatic weapon in both services. Some drawbacks to the weapon were noticed during initial wartime use, and FN USA undertook a crash program to correct them, and those defencies were largely corrected by 1987. The weapon is still in use today, and a few (carried by soldiers cut off from their units) were used by guerrilla groups.

RPK: A light automatic support weapon, the RPK is based on the AKM rifle, but uses a larger magazine (40 rounds) , has a bipod and a longer barrel, and it fires the same 7.62x39 round as the AKM. Used by Cuban, Nicaraguan, Libyan, and some Mexican units during the war, and captured examples found their way into Resistance hands. Many “war trophies” are known to be in private hands today.

RPK-74: Just as the RPK is to the AKM, the RPK-74 is to the AK-74, only that it fires the same 5.45-mm round as the AK-74, and uses a 40-round magazine. Captured examples fell into Resistance hands, and “war trophies” are common in parts of the U.S.



Machine Guns:


DshK: The standard Soviet-bloc HMG, in 12.7x83-mm, commonly called the “.51 Caliber” by the U.S. Military, it was often used on a vehicle mount, but also on a wheeled carriage. Often used by Resistance groups as a heavy support and antiaircraft weapon.

Heckler and Koch HK-21: Designed in West Germany and considered by many to be the best of its kind in the world, this weapon saw service on both sides in the war. It was manufactured under a prewar license in Mexico, and continued to serve in the Mexican Army during the war, and some ex-Mexican examples fell into Resistance hands. The weapon was also produced by H&K USA for the SEALs and Delta Force (it was carried on the Iran raid in 1980), and some also found their way into other military units-especially in the Brown Water War in Louisiana.

M-2HB: The famous “Ma Deuce” .50 Caliber machine gun, used from before World War II, it was the standard U.S. (and Allied) heavy machine gun of the war. Often used on a vehicle mount, but it could also be fired from a tripod. It was also used on some helicopters as a door gun, on ships as an anti-swimmer or antiaircraft weapon, and was also mounted on patrol craft for Harbor Security and in the Brown Water War.

M-60: The standard light machine gun of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps in 7.62-mm NATO, it was slowly being replaced by the M-249 SAW when the war began. While eventually replaced in the SAW role, it was still used on vehicle mounts, on patrol boats, and as a helicopter door gun.

M-134 Minigun: The 'baby brother” of the famous M-61 Vulcan cannon, this Gatling gun in 7.62-mm NATO was usually seen as a helicopter-mounted door gun, but some were also found on vehicles, especially gun trucks and also on some patrol boats in Louisiana.

M-240: The U.S. Army's version of the Belgian MAG GPMG, and the source of many arguments over which was the best in the world along with the HK-21, this weapon in 7.62-mm NATO was used as the loader's machine gun and the coaxial machine gun on the M-1 and M-60A4 tanks. Guns were often pulled off of disabled tanks and used as infantry support weapons. Still in service.

PK/PKM: The standard General Purpose Machine Gun of the Soviet bloc, this 7.62x39-mm weapon was used at the platoon level in Soviet-bloc formations, as well as on vehicle mounts. Captured weapons were readily used by the Resistance, and “war trophies” are still seen today.

Stoner Mark 23 Commando: Designed as part of the Stoner 63 system, this light machine gun version in 5.56-mm was a candidate in the Army's Squad Automatic Weapon competition in the early 1970s. Though not adopted by the Army, some were used by SEALs during the Vietnam War and after, and were in SEAL use during the war.

[jemhouston]

The Ruger P-85 had accuracy issues that didn't get fully resolved until a few successor models.

I'm wondering if Ruger would have come out with the Mini-30 only using AK magazines during the war.

[Poohbah]

One oddity:

VSS Vintorez: firing a 9x39mm subsonic round, this rifle had an integral suppressor. It began turning up in America with Spetsnaz units in 1987. Captured examples, after technical evaluation, were used by the United States Army's Intelligence Support Activity and, rumor has it, by an Air Force special tactics unit that (assuming it actually existed) operated under the SENIOR VALKYRIE Special Access Program,, and possibly under the SCREAMING FIST compartment as well.

[Jotun]

One oddity:

VSS Vintorez: firing a 9x39mm subsonic round, this rifle had an integral suppressor. It began turning up in America with Spetsnaz units in 1987. Captured examples, after technical evaluation, were used by the United States Army's Intelligence Support Activity and, rumor has it, by an Air Force special tactics unit that (assuming it actually existed) operated under the SENIOR VALKYRIE Special Access Program,, and possibly under the SCREAMING FIST compartment as well.

Screaming Fist? Nice Neuromancer reference.

Did no MG3 make it to the USA? Shooting the Russians with the direct descendant of one of their grandfathers' nemeses would not have been without irony.

[Poohbah]

One oddity:

VSS Vintorez: firing a 9x39mm subsonic round, this rifle had an integral suppressor. It began turning up in America with Spetsnaz units in 1987. Captured examples, after technical evaluation, were used by the United States Army's Intelligence Support Activity and, rumor has it, by an Air Force special tactics unit that (assuming it actually existed) operated under the SENIOR VALKYRIE Special Access Program,, and possibly under the SCREAMING FIST compartment as well.

Screaming Fist? Nice Neuromancer reference.

Did no MG3 make it to the USA? Shooting the Russians with the direct descendant of one of their grandfathers' nemeses would not have been without irony.

Quite a few, actually. 2/26 got a bunch right before 49 Easting, a long with 10 cases of real Heineken.

We appreciated both the beer and our emotional support machine guns.

SCREAMING FIST was the Special Reconnaissance program at AFSOC.

[Wolfman]

Emotional support machine guns?

[Poohbah]

Emotional support machine guns?

Yes. They were a great comfort to us during the war.

[jemhouston]

I have an emotional support Hi-Power, so I get it.

[Johnnie Lyle]

I just had an emotional support turkey. With mashed potatoes and stuffing. Smothered in gravy.

[Poohbah]

I just had an emotional support turkey. With mashed potatoes and stuffing. Smothered in gravy.

Now that we're in Southern California, we're doing Turkey Enchiladas with Emotional Support Tamales.

[Johnnie Lyle]

I just had an emotional support turkey. With mashed potatoes and stuffing. Smothered in gravy.

Now that we're in Southern California, we're doing Turkey Enchiladas with Emotional Support Tamales.

Are they genuine tamales? Made in an unlicensed kitchen, smuggled in the back door of the health department and paid for by non-sequential used greenbacks in dark hallways?

[Poohbah]

I just had an emotional support turkey. With mashed potatoes and stuffing. Smothered in gravy.

Now that we're in Southern California, we're doing Turkey Enchiladas with Emotional Support Tamales.

Are they genuine tamales? Made in an unlicensed kitchen, smuggled in the back door of the health department and paid for by non-sequential used greenbacks in dark hallways?

Unlicensed kitchen, check. Non-sequential used greenbacks, check. But it was in the far reaches of a rec center parking lot, right out of the car trunk, like a drug deal.

[Wolfman]

You people should be locked up in an insane asylum…

[Johnnie Lyle]

You people should be locked up in an insane asylum…

We are.

The United States of America

[clancyphile]

Surprised nobody mentioned the M1917 revolver - .45 ACP, six shots in the cylinder.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/conten ... revolvers/

At least 300,000 made before 31 December 1918.

[jemhouston]

Surprised nobody mentioned the M1917 revolver - .45 ACP, six shots in the cylinder.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/conten ... revolvers/

At least 300,000 made before 31 December 1918.

There were also other mostly S&W revolvers in .45ACP.

OOC, the latest S&W 625 came out in 1989. I briefly owned one.

[Matryoshka]

SVD: Soviet-bloc standard issue sniper rifle in 7.62×39, issued not only to Spetsnatz and Airborne Forces (VDV) but also one per motor-rifle squad. Captured examples used by Resistance not only as a sniper rifle, but also as a hunting rifle.
[...]
PK/PKM: The standard General Purpose Machine Gun of the Soviet bloc, this 7.62×39-mm weapon was used at the platoon level in Soviet-bloc formations, as well as on vehicle mounts. Captured weapons were readily used by the Resistance, and “war trophies” are still seen today.

Quick correction here, Guru: the SVD and PK/PKM are chambered in 7.62×54mmR.
Early-variant Kalashnikovs and Kalasniklones in 7.62×39/“7.62WP” were near-ubiquitous across most of the ComBloc, especially the second-line forces we Resistance types encountered in Colorado, so they were readily looted and fed... but if other Resistance groups were like mine, I can imagine that division of 54mmR ammo between designated marksmen (like yer ’umble scribe) and the crews of captured MGs got to be a rather contentious matter at times. I know that in our group, at least, the constant arguments over who ‘needed it more’ vice who ‘put it to better use’ and the pilfering and counter-pilfering contributed to a simmering grudge that ended in bloodshed.

Things got a little easier after we got a supply-drop of ‘misplaced’ Austrian(!) hardware — I’ve mentioned before how those crates of Steyr AUGs and SSG-69s also contained fresh-baked sachertorten that were the first real sweets any of us had seen in months — and were better-positioned to stretch our ammo by issuing our snipers and DMs 7.62×51mm (“7.62NATO”) rifles.

DshK: The standard Soviet-bloc HMG, in 12.7x83-mm, commonly called the “.51 Caliber” by the U.S. Military, it was often used on a vehicle mount, but also on a wheeled carriage. Often used by Resistance groups as a heavy support and antiaircraft weapon.

Uh... did your keyboard decide to ‘drop an inch’ for some reason, Guru? Surely that should be ‘12.7×108mm’.

[Johnnie Lyle]

I just had an emotional support turkey. With mashed potatoes and stuffing. Smothered in gravy.

Now that we're in Southern California, we're doing Turkey Enchiladas with Emotional Support Tamales.

Wait, I forgot one. The emotional support gas station nacho cheeze sauce, double plastic, extra trashy, served botulism style.

[Poohbah]

The Marines used the Knight's Armament Company Masterkey--it was a cut-down M870 that could be fitted under the barrel of an M16. Useful for breaching, but it could be a tad clumsy at times. Usually loaded with frangible breaching rounds. We first got the things in late 1986, and they made CQB go a lot quicker.

And then some lunatic invented Dragon's Breath rounds...if there's a better way to get the enemy out of a room than lighting the entire damn place on fire, I don't know what it is.

[Belushi TD]

The Marines used the Knight's Armament Company Masterkey--it was a cut-down M870 that could be fitted under the barrel of an M16. Useful for breaching, but it could be a tad clumsy at times. Usually loaded with frangible breaching rounds. We first got the things in late 1986, and they made CQB go a lot quicker.

And then some lunatic invented Dragon's Breath rounds...if there's a better way to get the enemy out of a room than lighting the entire damn place on fire, I don't know what it is.

I would submit a 9 gun salvo from an Iowa class as a better way.

With one radio call, you not only get the enemy out of the room they're in, you also get them out of the next room, and the next room, and the next building, and, in fact, the entire block.

Admittedly, from your wartime service, you were a little far from the coast to be able to benefit from that.

Belushi TD