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What is the US Marine's weapon of choice?
All Marines are taught in recruit training, "Every Marine is a Rifleman!" The weapon we are taught to fire in recruit training is an M16-A2. We're taught stock weld, eye relie…f, relaxation, breath control, trigger pull, sight alignment, sight picture before firing for the first time. During what is called "grass week" we undergo classes to teach us these things and other. Such as the characteristics of the weapon; using the acronym LMGAS: Light weight, Magazine fed, Gas operated, Air cooled and Shoulder fired. The weight of the weapon alone(w/o sling, bayonet or magazine) is 7.5 pounds. Loaded, slung and ready to fire the weapon weighs 8.79 pounds. It is 39.63 inches long. Muzzle velocity is 2800 feet per second(853 meters per second). It's max effective range on an area target is 262.48 feet(800 meters), on a point target max effective range is 1804.5 feet(550 meters). There are two firing modes for this weapon, automatic(3 round burst) or semi-automatic(single round shot). Set to automatic it fires 90 rounds per minute and on semi-auto 45 rounds per minute. Cyclic rate of fire is 800 rounds per minute; sustained rate of fire is 12-15rpm; semi-automatic rate of fire is 45rpm; and burst rate of fire is 90rpm. One magazine holds 30, 5.56 millimeter rounds. If you were to replace this weapon it would cost approximately $586. This weapon is manufactured by Colt Manufacturing & Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing, Inc. Once you reach the rank of Sergeant(E-5) you are allowed to qualify on the range with a pistol. Unless you work with PMO(Military Police). They fire an M9mm. I personally, am a better shot with a pistol than a rifle, but a pistol isn't my weapon of choice, per say. I wouldn't say that the M9 would be any Marine's weapon of choice, but it is another widely used weapon. Hope this answered your question! (MORE)