Jan 20 2019

My experiences in Vietnam From the Cleveland PD January 20, 2018


 

https://www.cleveland.com/expo/news/g66l-2019/01/dfdea5df9d1075/john-wayne-elvis-and-the-deer-hunter-green-berets-vietnam-service-was-nothing-like-the-movies.html

13 comments on “My experiences in Vietnam From the Cleveland PD January 20, 2018”

  1. Hello,
    I came across your article via the news/articles in Google Chrome. What caught my attention most (though it was thoroughly interesting) is the XM177E1/E2 aberration. Would you mind sharing details on the scoped M16 carbine variant? Shaved upper receiver, can’t see where the scope is mounted, modified front sight base, 10.5/11.5” barrel… Just a lot of interesting stuff going on. Happy to communicate by email if preferred.

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    • It was a one of a kind weapon is why you could not find it. I acquired a damaged CAR-15 from a Mike Force officer after a fire fight where the rear sight (handle) was broken off, other than that it was OK. I came up with a way after cutting off the stubs to make an adapter where I could put a M-1 Garand scope on it. We had plenty of them as the CIDG were armed primarily with M-1 Garand’s and M1 carbines with some Ak-47’s that were captured. A scope on a short barrel M-16 was not really needed in the jungle but it worked.

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      • Continuing curiosity here… I undestand it has been a while, but two followup questions if you’ll humor me.
        Is the scope attachment just to the handguard, through the handguard to the barrel, or to the upper receiver somehow?
        Did you drop the upper receiver on an available M16 lower? Looks like the upper would have been a Model 609, but the lower has the standard stock, rather than a carbine stock.
        Frankly this seems like something I could put together for the heck of it at some point in the future, hence the curiosity. Several manufacturers have all the parts needed as good reproductions.

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      • To be honest I don’t remember exactly what I did to mount the scope it was almost 52 years ago, however I do remember I had to take a piece I made to the welder in the near by village. As to the stock it was what the rife had when I got it but it did have the short barrel so maybe it was modified before I got it. In any case the barrel looks more like the XM177E1 then the E2.

        I also made a pistol from an M-1 carbine by cutting down the barrel to just before it wouldn’t fire auto and then carved the wood stock into a pistol style grip. I trashed several M-1’s before I got it right.

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      • Great information. Sounds like you had some “fun” getting creative with what was available. It actually seems prescient considering the developments over the last fifty years. Again, thanks for your time here, in addition to your service.

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