Thread: Went shooting yesterday....

According to this, a few M16A3s were purchased by the US Armed Forces, but if their usage is so limited that the average soldier isn't aware of them, I guess it's a moot point.

Bullpups are neat and all, but one thing I don't think is considered much is their ability to be deployed as a bludgeon. How are you supposed to strike someone with the butt or muzzle of your rifle if it's a bullpup? The ergonomics don't lend to that, in my opinion.

Tactical Response's DVDs don't display any select-fire rifles. That's why I didn't say "assault rifles". It defines combat rifles as was posted above. Battle rifles certainly have a combat purpose, but they're not really covered in the DVDs, since their purposes are slightly different than the purposes of a combat rifle, as defined by the DVD. Tactical Response's DVDs are about relatively close-range combat, or at least, that's the message I got. Emphasis is on acquiring and firing quickly, transitioning to back-up weapons and such. If they were to make DVDs on battle rifles, so to speak, I imagine more emphasis would be on setting up for long-range shots, and taking down multiple targets at long range in quick succession.

Originally Posted by crunker

Bullpups are neat and all, but one thing I don't think is considered much is their ability to be deployed as a bludgeon. How are you supposed to strike someone with the butt or muzzle of your rifle if it's a bullpup? The ergonomics don't lend to that, in my opinion.

Ah, the muzzle punch. I love that technique. Rather effective to say the least.


I used to love the specialized tactical weapons and training. Still do, but I realize my limitations when it comes to funding such passions. Granted, some weapons are ideally suited for room clearing and CQB, while others are less than ideal. That said, I've notionally cleared rooms with a bolt action Mauser in reenactments and done the real deal with both an M249 with standard length barrel and an M4/M203. The Mauser is far from ideal, but my Kameraden with MP40s had a weapon that was all but perfect. The M249 is not ideal either, but I am here to type this. Short of me joining a law enforcement agency that has specialized weaponry, or trying out for SFOD-D, I highly doubt I will ever use most of the weapons so-called "experts" recommend for operations in built-up areas. Today's average Infantry NCO has more experience in urban fighting than all but the most seasoned SWAT officer (who has combat experience himself). We lack the training, make do with M4s and still get the job done. While I still long for uber-tacti-cool weapons in my collection I realize that my AR carbine with a CCO is more than sufficient, and that in a pinch I can clear a room with a bolt action better than some can with a loaded MP5.

In short, combat rifles, assault rifles, battles rifles and any other term we use on this site are not worth getting worked up over. There are only a few of us here interested in weapons in the first place, no one (that I know of) in law enforcement, and definitely no one that needs specialized weapons or training for anything other than personal knowledge. Knowledge is power, but applied knowledge is where it is at.