For military active or retired

[mosinguy1]

Ok folks was just wondering if any of you remember any accidents on the ranges with weapon malfunctions during basic.

The reason I ask is other then FTF's or Stove pipes I don't remember any. My sons company and sister company have now had 4 in 2 weeks.

He hasn't called yet, but we got a call he was injured today at the range and will call when he is checked out and cleared.

The only 1 of the 4 accidents we have an info on so far is one of the weapons being used had a piece of the bolt break off and lodge in the chamber, the next round the weapon blew apart in the kids face.

Not having all the details I am hesitant to cast judgment, however 4 weapons in 2 weeks I am a lil upset. I know for certain my son knows safe handeling of weapons.

So is it just me or does 4 weapons in 2 weeks sound a bit alarming????

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[3MTA3]

Yup, that qualifies as alarming to me. Imagine how much worse if that had happened on the battlefield.

 

[techieguy]

We didn't have any issues on range in basic...the only problem was I missed one target out of the 40.

 

[Sgt Nambu]

Nope, no range problems in basic. I hope your son is okay!

 

[OLDNEWBIE]

No problems on the range in my experience but training accidents/deaths yes. Not in my Company or any thing but during my time in, yes, more than a few times.
BTW during Basic our weapons were worn out junk.

 

[teflon6string]

Nope, no range problems in basic. I hope your son is okay!

+1
As the father of a soldier, I'm hoping good things for you and your son.

 

[mosinguy1]

Thanks to all of you!!!!!!!!! We are still waiting for the call rom him and that is driving us nuts!!!!!!

Oldnewbie, That is my FEAR an old weapon/ or lazy armorer now called the Unit supply specialist

 

[OLDNEWBIE]

Hopefully he's O.K., They wear eye protection now so maybe it's not too bad. Hasn't he called yet? keep us updated.
I just read your post again and just to clarify I only served one tour of duty in the Army in the 80s so anything I know about it is ancient history. The Rifles were old M16s with the old style handguards and EVERYTHING on them was loose from disassembly/re-assembly drills over the years I suppose. They were probably Vietnam era.

 

[mjbeam]

Joined the Army in '82 got out in '92, then did another 4 years in the Oregon National Guard. Never saw any weapons explode while I was in. The only injury at the range I saw was when a recruit who just had a misfire turned his weapon to look at the bolt, which caused it to be pointed right down the firing line. Then he started pounding on the bolt forward assist while it was still pointed down the firing line. Someone started yelling "CEASEFIRE!" and a DI ran over and kicked the recruit in the head as hard as he could, sending his steel pot tumbling down range. Then a couple DIs grabbed him and drug him off while he was unconscious. I never saw the guy again. Not sure what happened to him.

 

[Sgt Nambu]

Joined the Army in '82 got out in '92, then did another 4 years in the Oregon National Guard. Never saw any weapons explode while I was in. The only injury at the range I saw was when a recruit who just had a misfire turned his weapon to look at the bolt, which caused it to be pointed right down the firing line. Then he started pounding on the bolt forward assist while it was still pointed down the firing line. Someone started yelling "CEASEFIRE!" and a DI ran over and kicked the recruit in the head as hard as he could, sending his steel pot tumbling down range. Then a couple DIs grabbed him and drug him off while he was unconscious. I never saw the guy again. Not sure what happened to him.

Hopefully the Drill Sargents stomped him into the bottom of the target barrel on the grenade course just before class!
Mosinguy, still hoping for the best outcome for your son.

 

[1stIDFMP]

Army 1977-1980, Oregon Army National Guard 1980-1984; no problems at the range during any of those times.

 

[Stomper]

No range issues when I went through basic and AIT, 3yrs. On the trail as a Drill Sgt. and taught BRM and ARM w/any issues other than DUMB teenagers.

 

[Nutty4Guns]

Never any accidents in my 5 years that I can remember. I hope all is well with your son.

 

[swoop]

Hope your son is ok. I don't remember hearing about any accidents at the range when I went through BT. We qualified with M14's in those days. However, when we got to the RVN, there were a lot of reported problems with those early Colts.

 

[One-Eyed Ross]

In the 14 yrs 7 months and 9 days I was in, I never once heard of an M16 having issues like that. Now, sure, we had issues with us left handers getting brass in the face when we didn't have those handy dandy left handed firing devices, but that was it. (This was back in the A1 days, I was forced to retire just as the A2 with their little "bump" was coming out).

Good luck, hope things go ok without any serious injuries.