Single aimed shots whenever possible. I had to carry those full magazines up the hill, but I'm going to take care of what's in them because I don't know when I'm getting more. Let everyone else blaze away.
Hard to do single shot with a machine gun. Give me ammo, more ammo, and then some extra ammo. I want to scare the hell out of people and kill a few of them in the process.
I've been there but haven't quite done that, although I've had some pretty good training. Based on that, my answer is single, aimed shots past 25 yards or so. Up close and personal, keep firing as rapidly as you accurately can until the threat stops, but every threat gets at least two rounds.
The balancing act is "Ammo is cheap, your life is expensive" (Murphy's Laws of Combat) vs. "You can't miss fast enough" (Giles Stock at GunSite) or "Speed is final. Accuracy is final." (Larry Vickers of Vickers Tactical).
We were taught to do the "double tap" downrange when first coming under fire, while seeking cover.
Of course this was the Canadian Army, which at the time used FNC1 rifles (like the British SLR) that could not fire automatic. Though each rifle section had two FNC2 automatic rifles, with a heavier barrel and bipod, that could fire automatic and had 30 round magazines - kind of like an upgraded BAR. And these weapons used 7.62mm ammunition that could punch through most anything.
Now of course they have C7s and C9s, like the M2 and M240, so I don't know what they teach them.
Single aimed shots whenever possible. I had to carry those full magazines up the hill, but I'm going to take care of what's in them because I don't know when I'm getting more. Let everyone else blaze away.
ReplyDeleteHard to do single shot with a machine gun. Give me ammo, more ammo, and then some extra ammo. I want to scare the hell out of people and kill a few of them in the process.
ReplyDeletesingle shot.
ReplyDelete3-5 round burst out of an M2 or M240. I've never gotten a person's attention as quickly with anything else.
ReplyDeleteI think I will defer to Matt. He has actually done this for real :)
ReplyDeleteI've been there but haven't quite done that, although I've had some pretty good training. Based on that, my answer is single, aimed shots past 25 yards or so. Up close and personal, keep firing as rapidly as you accurately can until the threat stops, but every threat gets at least two rounds.
ReplyDeleteThe balancing act is "Ammo is cheap, your life is expensive" (Murphy's Laws of Combat) vs. "You can't miss fast enough" (Giles Stock at GunSite) or "Speed is final. Accuracy is final." (Larry Vickers of Vickers Tactical).
That would be "Speed is fine. Accuracy is final." Sorry.
ReplyDeleteWe were taught to do the "double tap" downrange when first coming under fire, while seeking cover.
ReplyDeleteOf course this was the Canadian Army, which at the time used FNC1 rifles (like the British SLR) that could not fire automatic. Though each rifle section had two FNC2 automatic rifles, with a heavier barrel and bipod, that could fire automatic and had 30 round magazines - kind of like an upgraded BAR. And these weapons used 7.62mm ammunition that could punch through most anything.
Now of course they have C7s and C9s, like the M2 and M240, so I don't know what they teach them.