Author Topic: the best military rifle of all time (Read 1700 times)

kevin.303 · « **on:** March 12, 2003, 10:32:25 AM »

my personal fav is the no.1 mk 3 Lee. i'm sure i missed some so feel free to correct me

Double D · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2003, 10:54:59 AM »

Martini-Henry 577/450 at Rorkes Drift!

John Traveler · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2003, 11:16:52 AM »

Ah, YES! the mighty Martini-Henry! It served the Empire from sun to setting sun!

If "greatest" means longest service life, the Lee series starting with the M1888 Lee-Metford to the Len Enfield No. 4 in 1957 would be the hands-down winner!

If greatest means the most numerous, problably the M98 Mauser!

From the number of votes (50%) that go to the M1 Garand, I would guess that the average age of us old fartz gun collectors is early-to-late-fifties.

The real problem is, WE LIKE THEM ALL! How can anyone expect us to pick only ONE?

redial · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2003, 11:43:48 AM »

Or the M1's upstart offspring the M14!

Since I favor that one and I'm early 40's, John Traveller's probably correct about our demographics!

Cheers

Redial

1911crazy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2003, 01:08:00 PM »

hands down the M1 GARAND for sure !!!! A fantastic war weapon for sure. the only other gun i would pick over the garand is the browning BAR. I can see there are no SKS's or AK-47's?? There in there too they have performed really well too. Heck i like them all!!!! BigBill

You should do a poll on the most accurate military gun?? the answer will most likely be the swede 6.5x55 mauser for sure.

John Traveler · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2003, 01:33:14 PM »

HEY!

Any Continental Frenchies out there?

As former owners of a world-class empire, you would probably vote for the MAS 36 or MAS 54 as the Greatest Battle Rifle in the world!

Most specimens are UNFIRED, and dropped in the dirt only ONCE, eh?

GRINNING John

Rick Teal · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2003, 03:32:40 PM »

I would have grouped all of the "Smellys" together, but like you voted for the No 1. I'm glad you didn't incude the Brown Bess or I may have had a problem. :?

I'm glad you didn't include my Gewehr 41 - that thing needed a truck to carry it around. :wink:

1911crazy · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2003, 04:03:08 PM »

Quote from: John Traveler

HEY!

Any Continental Frenchies out there?

As former owners of a world-class empire, you would probably vote for the MAS 36 or MAS 54 as the Greatest Battle Rifle in the world!

Most specimens are UNFIRED, and dropped in the dirt only ONCE, eh?

GRINNING John

Thats why the latest run on 49/56's are unused, unshot, and some where unissued?? BigBill

They sure do work good when fired!!!!

PaulS · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2003, 08:11:51 PM »

All time favorite?
Its gotta be the 22mm Vulcan.
It'll take a tank out at 5000 yards
It should be good for antelope at 3 or four miles.

PaulS

S.S. · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2003, 08:33:25 AM »

Not being un-American or anything,
but the Automat Kalashnikov (AK47)
Would have to be it. As far as sheer numbers
produced, Number of conflicts it has been used in.
Best design for a "Idiot Proof" Weapon too.
Second would be the Model 1898 Mauser
in all its forms & calibers.

S.S. · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2003, 08:42:59 AM »

Hey BigBill, I must agree on the Accuracy potential
of the "Swedes", But my 1891 Argentine in 7.65x53
or my M28 Nagant will easily group as well as my Swede.
My P-14 Enfield will out shoot em' all though.
Thay Ain't as SMOOOOOTH & purdy as the Swede Though!!!!

John Traveler · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2003, 08:48:05 AM »

PaulS,

If you are gonna nominate the .20mm Vulcan aircraft cannon, I am gonna vote for the M242 25mm auto cannon as found on the M2/M3 Bradleys and USMC LAV-25 armored vehicles!

Now, THAT is a Big Gun and unmatched in reach and power!

John

Venator · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2003, 02:39:11 PM »

I remember a quote, something like, "The Germans designed a great target rifle, the Americans a great hunting rifle, but the British designed the Enfield SMLE, the best battle rifle of all'. I agree with that whole-heartedly! Make mine Enfield!

.45 COLT · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2003, 02:06:49 AM »

You left the best out of the poll - the M14.

1911crazy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2003, 02:37:13 AM »

Quote from: S.Sumner

Hey BigBill, I must agree on the Accuracy potential
of the "Swedes", But my 1891 Argentine in 7.65x53
or my M28 Nagant will easily group as well as my Swede.
My P-14 Enfield will out shoot em' all though.
Thay Ain't as SMOOOOOTH & purdy as the Swede Though!!!!

S.Sumner, I haven't had the time to take each rifle out yet and just benchrest it and see if their any good like the swede's are. Soon I hope to get out and do some comparison testing if it ever warms up here again. Next week is the 50 degree weather I'll have to do some shootin before the bass fishing season starts. BigBill

Robert · « **Reply #15 on:** March 14, 2003, 10:16:53 AM »

I think the Mauser and Enfeilds are definately great, I have both. I am not familiar enough with the Garand to comment on IT, but have heard Many many many praises for it. If it were also chambered in .308 as well as 30-06, I would say it was perfect, my possible second choice would be the SKS or another auto rifle chambered for 7.62x39. Anything in .223....in my humble opinion....should not be in the hands of our children in war, at best I beleive it is a feeble atempt to arm our brave troops and a very good way to have them come home in a box. I firmly oppose 'spray and pray' with little tiny FMJ bullets. I think our boys should have weapons that will knock the enemy on it ARSE....permanantly.

1GLOCK · « **Reply #16 on:** March 17, 2003, 10:44:11 AM »

Man, I can NOT believe you dont list the 5.56mm

. This cartridge in my oppinion can't overlooked!! Yeah, one shot kills its not real good at but it takes at least one other man to help his wounded buddy, effectively taking two men out of the battle with one shot. And recoil is almost nothing, making automatic fire much more effective. The 308 caliber cartridges are great but on full auto the first shot is dead center, the second is over the enemys head, the third is way over the enemys head. from there its just an antiaircraft weapon. Not to mention you can carry a lot more ammo into battle without slowing the troops down from fatigue.
Just my oppinion, im probably wrong !!

kevin.303 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 18, 2003, 03:59:23 AM »

this was a poll of the "classic battle rifles" thats why there are no AK's or sks's. i only added the m-14 because there was such a clamour for it. and at the other end of the spectrum i couldn't go to far back otherwise i would have added the spencer repeating rifle, the trapdoor springfield, the martini-henry and the 1870 mauser.

Jose Grande · « **Reply #18 on:** March 18, 2003, 07:58:08 PM »

Yall have done hauled off & forgot what General Patton said. I think he knew what he was talking about.

lilabner · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2003, 07:13:34 AM »

It has to be the AK47. Reliable in all climates, foolproof enough to perform OK for idiots. Worldwide by far the most popular and long lived of the military rifles. I can understand people not liking it, though. It has consistently been used by the wrong side and will continue to be probably for another 50 years.

Castaway · « **Reply #20 on:** March 19, 2003, 08:15:18 AM »

At the risk of ruining an asbestos suit, the M16 A2 wins hands down. Basic load of 210 rounds (+ another 30 in the rifle if you want). Regardless of what the pundits say, the M16 is a reliable and accurate weapon. Best is a relative term. I'd much rather carry an A2 day in/day out and have it in a fire fight than a SMLE, Garand, Krag or other rifle listed. If I didn't have to carry it, sure I'd like the umph a 30 caliber round gives, either in 303 Brit, 30-06 or even 308, but for humping, I'll take the M16 anyday. For a combat pistol, there is no doubt, John Moses was right 93 years ago and still is. The 1911 is king of the jungle. Barring a 1911, and given a choice, I'd carry the medium Glock with tritium sights in 45 caliber if called back from retirement.

Poll

what do you think is the best military rifle of all time?

Author Topic: the best military rifle of all time (Read 1700 times)