Modding your gun for Battle...?

Question

In many pictures, clips , and videos from the war in Iraq, they show US soldiers with all these mods (Bipods, Scopes, 203g's, etc..) .. do the soldiers have to buy these... or does the army give you an option of applying different types of accessories b4 going into war...

Answer 1

Those items are issued to those who need them.

Those who aren't issued them, but want them have the option of purchasing them for themselves.

Answer 2

depending on the mission, different attachments may be used.
For example, 203 grenade launchers are actually attached to the weopon permanently, weather it be a M16 or a F88 Styer, whilst many weopens, such as light support weopons come stock with a bi-pod (minimi).

If the weopon has a picatinny rail for changing scopes, then the armourer can exchange the basic scope for a higher zoom scope or a infra red scope.
also available is the Night Aiming device (NAD) for use with the night vision goggles. (ninnox)

All this kit is provided, as is quite expensive to buy, and that is why you only see the more elite units using them, or those in active frontline postings.

cheers,

Answer 3

Depends.....

Some units(Infantry) are Issued optical sights such as EO Tech & Aimpoint, ACOG reflexive sights.

I was in a Unit which issued EOTech's as Std. for Our M4's/M16A4's but preferred My Privately purchased Aimpoint CCO.

I added a A.R.M.S. #40 BUIS, as the issue BUIS is shite(screw bracket is thin cast steel, breaks too easily)

Front M16A2 type grip as I found it better than the issue RAS"Tool" handle

My Aimpoint ML2 with an ARMS throw lever Mount & spacer

Booniepacker JFS Patrol Sling

Rubber Buttpad(Not for recoil, but Non-Slip feature)

If your using a AN/PAQ-4 replace the plastic mounting screw with a 1/4-20X3/4" Panhead It wont snap off your RAS Rail.(Motor Pool has them)

Answer 4

All such hardware is provided by the military. The overall composition of weaponry is determined by platoon leaders in most cases, to suit the mission types. In certain commands, more latitude is provided to the individual soldier to amend his payload to personal tastes.