The Latest from Cactus Tactical: Weapons of the War in Afghanistan: Individual Weapons Part I

Weapons of the War in Afghanistan

Viper CO. 1-26 INF Infantryman resting between guard shifts,
OP Rock, Firebase Vegas, Korengal Valley, Afghanistan.

In the world of war, weapons and technology are ever changing, each war is characterized by the weapons and tactics used to fight it. As new environments and enemies are encountered, the parties to those wars develop new - more effective tactics, technologies, and weapons to counter and defeat their adversaries. The ingenuity seen in war has existed since (and most certainly before) the first wars of recorded history and continue to this very day.

Keeping with that theory, let’s take a look at the weapons that have characterized the wars and conflicts that the United States has been a party to over the course of it’s history. During the course of this series, I aim to breakdown the weapons used in each conflict by their classification, and to which party they were employed by. Having served in combat operations in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley, I would like to start our series with the War in Afghanistan.

For our fourth installment, let’s take a look at the most commonly encountered individual weapons in Afghanistan; focusing on the most common rifles and carbines of the war. Rifles have longer barrels than carbines allowing for the projectile to reach a higher velocity, range and accuracy. Carbines on the other hand have shorter barrels and often have collapsible (telescoping) stocks. This allows the weapon system to be more compact and better for maneuvering in close quarters battle as well as clearing rooms, trenches, and other tight or enclosed areas.

Some of the sleeping quarters at OP Rock, Firebase Vegas, Korengal Valley Afghanistan.

AR-15 / M4 Bolt Carrier Carbon Scraper

Part I: The United States

By far the most common weapon in Afghanistan next to the AK. If you have deployed to Afghanistan in a combat role, you probably were issued one of these, or at least carried one from time to time. The M4 is light, compact, and if properly maintained very reliable. You may have heard stories, or complaints that the M4 with it's shorter barrel and m855 rounds, is somewhat anemic or ineffective in battle. With good training and proper shot placement with controlled pairs or Mozambique drills (2 in the chest - 1 in the head), the M4 is a very capable and deadly weapon. I carried the M4 many times in Afghanistan and had no problem trusting my life with it.

The M4 is a 5.56x45mm, magazine-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled, shoulder-fired weapon. It is designed to fire either semiautomatic or a three-round burst through the use of a selector lever (SAFE, SEMI, and BURST). The M4A1 is fully automatic. The M4-series carbine buttstock has four positions: closed, 1/2 open, 3/4 open, and full open. The M4 carbine becomes the M4 MWS when the M4 rail adapter system is installed on it.

Cartridge: 5.56x45mm NATO

Effective Range: 500 m Point, 600 m Area, 3,600 m Maximum range.

Weight: 7.5 lbs / 3.4 kg

Rate of Fire: 700-900 rounds per minute (cyclic)

Capacity: 30-round Standard USGI Magazine (Magazines also available in 5,10,20,50,60,90,100-round capacities, though most are not officially authorized for use)

Myself after a patrol with an M4 w/M203 Grenade Launcher, ACOG, and AN/PEQ-15 laser.
Firebase Vegas, Korengal Valley, Afghanistan.

Hoppes Bore Snake, 223 / 22 Caliber Rifle

M16

The M16 has been in service with the United States military since 1963. Initially the rifle was very problematic. This was due to some design/production issues as well as inadequate training and familiarization with service personnel. After being fielded in Vietnam the rifle received upgrades based on the problems experienced in combat. The rifle then began gaining popularity with service members. Many were impressed with the wounding capacity of the 5.56mm round in the m193 cartridge. While the M16 had been the standard US service rifle for 40+ years, the M4 has edged it's way in and taken over the role, pushing the M16 out to support and non-infantry service members.

The M16 is a 5.56x45mm, magazine fed, gas-operated, air-cooled, semiautomatic or three-round burst, hand-held, shoulder-fired weapon.

A1 and A3 variants are full-auto versus 3-round burst. Military issue M16A4s are also equipped with a Knight's Armament Company M5 RAS hand guard, allowing vertical grips, lasers, tactical lights, and other accessories to be attached, coining the designation M16A4 MWS (or Modular Weapon System) in U.S. Army field manuals.

Cartridge: 5.56x45mm NATO

Effective Range: 550 m Point, 600 m Area, 3,600 m Maximum range.

Weight: 10.09 lbs / 4.56 kg

Rate of Fire: 800 rounds per minute (cyclic)

Capacity: 20 & 30-round Standard USGI Magazine (Magazines also available in 5,10,50,60,90,100-round capacities, though most are not officially authorized for use)

Picture taken while on patrol in the Korengal Valley, of houses and terraces used for farming in the steep mountains.

AR-15 / M16 Front Sight Tool, A1 / A2 Style

FN SCAR

Though nowhere nearly as common as the M4 and M16, the FN Scar made it's major debut in Afghanistan in April 2009. Fielded almost exclusively by US Army Rangers and various other US Special Operations Forces.

The SCAR is a shoulder fired, air-cooled, magazine fed, short stroke gas operated, select fire, modular weapon system. The SCAR features a receiver with a continuous, monolithic 12 o’clock rail along with a 3, 6, and 9 o’clock rail on forward portion. The SCAR has the capability of operator-level barrel changes for mission requirements. All complete barrel assemblies are free floating and suppressor compatible when secured to receiver. The buttstock provides adjustable cheek rest, 6-position Length of Pull, and is capable of side folding. SCAR has numerous ambidextrous features.

Cartridge: 5.56x45mm NATO (Mk 16), 7.62x51mm NATO (Mk 17)

Effective Range: 600 m Point Target (Mk 16), 700 m Point Target (Mk 17)

Weight: 7.2 lbs / 3.3 kg empty (Mk 16), 7.9 lbs / 3.6 kg empty (Mk 17)

Rate of Fire: 625 rounds per minute (Mk 16), 600 rounds per minute (Mk 17)

Capacity: 20 and 30-round magazines (Mk 16), 10 and 20-round magazines (Mk 17)