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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 NEW REPORT 
29

Guns Failed US Troops in Afghan Firefight

M-4, built for extreme conditions, jammed repeatedly in heavy fire

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(AP) – As militants surrounded the remote Afghanistan base of Wanat on July 13, 2008, Staff Sgt. Erich Phillips' M-4 carbine quit firing. The machine gun he grabbed in desperation didn't work, either. When the battle ended, nine US soldiers lay dead and 27 more were wounded. A detailed study of the attack by a military historian finds that weapons failed repeatedly at a "critical moment," putting the outnumbered Americans at risk of being overrun by nearly 200 insurgents.

So eight years into the Afghanistan war, do US armed forces have the best guns money can buy? Even though guns such as the standard-issue M-4 are built for extreme conditions, the report finds that even meticulously maintained guns turn white-hot in heavy fire and jam—when troops need them most. Though battlefield surveys show 90% of troops are satisfied with their M-4s, US special ops are replacing it with a new rifle and Sen. Tom Coburn, a leading critic, is pushing for a replacement.

In this Sept. 7, 2006 file photo, Staff Sgt. Cristopher Davis of Pensacola, Florida, cleans his M4 assault rifle before going out on a patrol near Camp Florida in eastern Afghanistan.
In this Sept. 7, 2006 file photo, Staff Sgt. Cristopher Davis of Pensacola, Florida, cleans his M4 assault rifle before going out on a patrol near Camp Florida in eastern Afghanistan.   (Saurabh Das)
In this March 27, 2008 file photo, an M4 Colt rifle is displayed at the Colt Defense Plant in Hartford, Conn.
In this March 27, 2008 file photo, an M4 Colt rifle is displayed at the Colt Defense Plant in Hartford, Conn.   (Richard Lardner)
In this March 27, 2008 file photo, M4 Colt rifle are produced at the Colt Defense Plant in Hartford, Conn.
In this March 27, 2008 file photo, M4 Colt rifle are produced at the Colt Defense Plant in Hartford, Conn.   (Richard Lardner)
In this Nov. 27, 2006 file photo, US Army Staff Sgt Ruben Romero, from Fort Benning, Ga., demonstrates new technology making use of a magnifying video camera and thermal imaging on the M4 weapon.
In this Nov. 27, 2006 file photo, US Army Staff Sgt Ruben Romero, from Fort Benning, Ga., demonstrates new technology making use of a magnifying video camera and thermal imaging on the M4 weapon.   (Kirtsy Wigglesworth)
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My weapon was overheating. I had shot about 12 magazines and it had only been about a half-hour. I couldn't charge my weapon and put another round in because it was too hot, so I threw my weapon down. - Spc. Chris McKaig in new report

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29 comments
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lumina
Oct 11, 09 12:24 PM CDT
The same thing happened in Vietnam. Our troops major weapon was constantly jamming and misfiring. Meanwhile, that so called "piece of junk", the AK-47 used by "victor charlie" kept on "going and going and going." We never learn do we? Maybe our generals should read "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom" by T.E. Lawrence. Reply
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+8
IN RESPONSE:
Aelius28
Oct 11, 09 12:44 PM CDT
Oh there are better weapons, absolutely no doubt about it. But when you have a mass-produced standard-issued weapon like the M4 and consider the amount of money it would cost to scrap them and roll out brand new state-of-the-art assault rifles for every member of the armed forces, it's just not financially feasible. Just like body armour, check out YouTube videos for the Dragon Skin body armour. It's a fucking beast, but a U.S. Marine's life simply isn't worth the cost.
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Oct 11, 09 3:52 PM CDT
Your damn right the same crap happened to us in Nam, the 2nd time my M16 cooked (barrel overheated in a firefight where we were once again outnumbered) I wrapped it around a tree and picked up an AK from a dead VC, used AK's the rest of that tour as well as the ext full tour there. The war machine selss 2nd rate guns and the GI's bleed because of it every damn war, Congress always skimps and allows troops to bleed, what the hell do they care and they get bribes and sleep in a nice bed as GI's die
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+9
IN RESPONSE:
Spudsy
Oct 11, 09 8:25 PM CDT
Aelious28, good statement but let me finish it for you." but a U.S. Marine's life simply isn't worth the cost to the last administration but hopefully the new administration will do something about it." Obama needs to work fast to reverse eight years of "don't worry, they aren't our rich kids fighting" attitude that all too many Americans were too stupid to see through.
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
shonangreg
Oct 11, 09 9:41 PM CDT
We could start replacing the M16/M4 with another rifle using the same cartridge/bullet and gradually roll them out to all the divisions. The military is constantly buying replacement guns anyway. We don't have to buy all new rifles at once.
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+2

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