By Dick Culver

I need for all of you guys (and gals) to take off your packs and smoke 'em if you've got 'em as the old saying goes. There is certainly plenty of room in the service rifle arena for both points of view (martial artists and sportspersons), and since we're all on the same side, I think it's a matter of considering both viewpoints. The interesting thing is that folks on both sides of the argument have e-mailed the Webmistress apologizing for "flaming" and ill considered words and offering to stop posting if we think that it would calm things down. If I have my say, I think it would be a mistake as ultimately we’d all be the losers.

I would not want to loose any of you, as you gentlemen add spice to the page, so don't quit posting, but let's declare a truce for the time being.

In the meantime, I'll give you my views on Military Rifle Shooting, and I think I can point out that both sides have some valid points. I can understand the martial artists (although I would have a hard time with guys showing up with cammies and face paint to shoot). While military rifle shooting isn't about the militia movement, there is certainly nothing wrong with envisioning yourself as being prepared to defend your country in time of war, as that is what prompted the Service Rifle Program to start with. However, I don’t think it's necessary to show up with a helmet and topped off canteens to get in a little rifle shooting, regardless of your motivation.

I DO think there’s a little "Walter Mitty" in all of us, and even the most peaceful of shooters can imagine themselves in a worst case scenario. Virtually all of those who take Karate (or other martial arts) no doubt envision themselves kicking the snot out of a bully, or trashing a mugger with their new found skills. That’s just human nature. I apologize for none of my Walter Mittyisms, and in truth I’ve had several occasions where my military rifle and pistol skills stood me in good stead in a more hostile clime! Without the skills garnered at Perry, and in years of NRA Competition, this discourse might have been written by some character in black pajamas and a coolie hat.

I DO think that all "Leg Match" competition should be restricted to the CURRENT Service Rifle. "Leg Matches" and the pursuit of the illusive Distinguished Marksman’s Badge was designed to foster (current) service rifle and pistol competition among the citizenry. You may well hate the darned thing, but the idea was to go out and prove that you are among the best with the issue piece, even if you don’t like it (I don’t think I’ve made any secret concerning my personal feelings concerning the mouse gun!). Believe it or not, even "I" have even invested in a AR15A2 and intend institute the necessary modifications to make it capable of shooting a winning score. That having been said, I DO have some reservations on what SHOULD be allowed and still call the thing a service rifle.

I am against modifying the rifle externally so that it looks like something other than what it is. I would also limit the weight to something very close to the issue weight of the service rifle (no butt stock weights, etc.), but barrel sleeves are OK and perhaps should be included in the next "issue" version of the service gun. I understand the Army lads at AMU have come up with a fluted heavy barrel that doesn't need a sleeve that shoots like a house afire, and is only 4 ozs. heavier than the issue gun, now that's what I consider progress. I could rationalize an extra 4 ozs. although you have to be careful when you allow the camel to get his nose under the tent.

In my opinion we made a horrible mistake in the 70s when we allowed the heavy barrel and stock to be used on the M14. I would also do away with those horrible leather shooting jackets for the "Leg Matches", and go back to cloth, as the idea is to pit the skills of one individual against another, not some character trussed up in a leather corset approximating a bench rest... heck, takes the fun out of things. I would also do away with shooting mats for the service rifle matches (but not NRA competition), but would allow spotting scopes as they teach wind reading, a most useful tool of the trade (and are used by most operational sniper teams). I would prohibit scoping BEHIND the firing line by any competitor scheduled to follow the relay currently shooting (again, takes the sport and individual ability out of the equation).

I DO think that there should be a "Service Rifle Category" that allows all U.S. Service Rifles of any era to compete, as that is pure fun (note the John Garand Match being fired at Perry this year!). Perhaps, even a service rifle category in the National Trophy Matches, but make only the users of the current service rifle eligible for "Leg Medals", although any service rifle could be the match winner. Yes, I still love the feel of a walnut stock, and good ordnance steel; I even like a nice Parkerizing job (maybe that’s why I have learned to live with the little black rifle. Hee, hee, hee...).

Don't forget, one of the purposes of the National Trophy Matches was to use the matches a proving ground for new service rifle ideas (the type C Stock on the M1903 was a direct result of the National Trophy Matches and resulted in the M1903A1).

As far as ammunition goes, I think that the ultimate goal should be the issue of the same lot of ammo to each competitor on the line from an ammunition lot undisclosed prior to the start of the match. I currently am willing to go along with the handloading bit, as we are still working the bugs out of what shoots best in the mouse gun. As soon as the bullet weight, rifling twist, and correct load have been established, ammunition conforming to the approved NM load should be put out for bid from the various ammunition manufacturers on a competitive basis (who’s shoots best). A lot of the "winning accuracy load" should then be contracted for by the government, and used for issue to the leg match competitors. This would also bring back a competition won by those who can quickly adapt to a new lot of ammunition and make it do the job for him or her on the spur of the moment, ‘cuz that’s what differentiates between the individual conditioned to sterile conditions and the true rifleperson.

Other modifications to a service rifle, such as glass bedding, for instance, was not really an outgrowth of the match program, but an attempt by the military to salvage M1 stocks when the supply of new walnut stocks began to run low. They found (while experimenting with service stocks) that a "glassed" stock lasts longer than a standard stock, although a properly bedded straight walnut stock will shoot right along with a glassed one until it begins to reach the "shot out" stage. I have seen service stocks (non-NM) glassed just like the NM models to make them serviceable. We had several at the CMP that had the lower end glassed using the standard glassing procedures utilized by the match armors. I can live with glass (it doesn’t change the appearance of the rifle and adds little or no additional weight), and of course the sniper rifles are glassed, even those using fiberglass stocks.

While I am a great fan of the M1A and the M1, I intend to shoot the "mouse gun" in leg competition, as that is (or should be) the point of the exercise. As you well know, there was a time when I cordially hated the "little black rifle", but there also comes a time when we have to bite the bullet and say, I wish they hadn't done that and go with the flow. If we have to have the mouse gun as a service rifle, lets see if we can make it better. As in the old saying, when you have lemons, make lemonade. Let’s not curse the darkness when there’s a candle or two and some matches laying around!

As to what piece of ordnance I'd take to the hills (should that horrible scenario ever become reality), it would probably have to be my light (NM) barreled M1A in a light Fajen Stock (I also own one of the heavy barreled, heavy stocked jobs with receiver blocks, but then again, I might have a many a mile to go and I ain’t Hulk Hogan). It's glassed, but without lugs, shoots like a house afire. The mouse gun undeniably shoots, and shoots well, but as far as its remaining energy at long range, I am reminded of the old saying "well tickle my fanny with a feather"... Hee, hee, hee....

So bury the "Battle Ax" guys, in the long run it's all fun, even if the skills are translatable to a more serious purpose! Besides which, we have some REAL enemies out there.

Best regards,

Dick