Army AR-15s US Army

[HappyHighwayman]

When someone is in the infantry these days, what is their issue rifle, and who provides the add-ons like lights or scopes etc. Is that given to them or are soldiers spending money of their own to outfit themselves?

Same question regarding body armor.

Thank you!

 

[doc4216]

From my experience, the rifle depends on the branch and/or the unit. My branch has phased the M16 to M4 or Mk18, depending on your unit.

As far as body armor or add-ons, those are provided by the unit. You might have a selection to pick from but the unit purchases it.

 

[Kornholio]

Personal experience...15 years in the Army...

It depends on the unit. When I was in artillery units, we got M16s. When I was in the 101st (light infantry division), we got M4s. However, I think these days (I left in 2014) everyone on active duty is carrying an M4. M16s are literally muskets compared to the M4 and just super inconvenient.

As for as add-ons, I can't speak for every facet of the Army, but in my units, VERY FEW personal add-ons were authorized. Mostly just additional magazine holders for the stock and such. But you had to pay for that yourself. Scopes were not authorized whatsoever and quite frankly, they weren't necessary at all. If you need a scope with an M16/M4, you need to spend more time on the range. Designated snipers were the only exception and even then, they usually carried an M14 in a combat zone anyway.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

Thank you for sharing your experiences!

 

[HadesOmega]

Was in the Army 13 years as a communication reservist. We had M16A2 in both my reserve and national guard units I was in. We had some M16A4s. We had M203s in my reserve unit and the newer M320s in the guard unit I was in. We had kits in my guard unit to mount aimpoint compM2 red dot optics to M16A2s. It sure made qualifying easy with those =P

When I attended the California Combat Match (California has the best military shooting team in the country BTW) the infantry soldiers were carrying M4s some with ACOGs. One of them actually let me shoot it also Haha an they did call the M16 a musket. You know you're from a non combat arms unit when you see someone carrying one of those around haha.

It depends on the unit like everyone is saying. Most units are authorized a certain amount of equipment and weapons. Then there's SF units that can get whatever they need to get the job done.