Memories of Rhodesia

[Deleted User 2149]

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[Thisismyaccount]

The rifles they are using were the FN 7.62 mm made by Fabrique National of Belgium. They were made of wood and iron. The thing was a beast and weighed 10.5 lbs without ammunition in the magazine. It had a kick like mule and shooting it would give you a very sore shoulder. You could kill someone with a one buttstroke to the head. The bayonette was 10 inches long and would go through anyone and cause massive trauma. It had a maximum range of 1000 meters but was usually sighted for 500 meters. I carried that weapon for 15 years as a soldier until it was replaced by the 5.56 mm rifle an upgraded new version of the US M16. I still preferred the FN though. What ever you hit with the 7.62 round usually stayed down and didn't get back up to shoot back at you. Personal preference.

[Deleted User 2149]

The rifles they are using were the FN 7.62 mm made by Fabrique National of Belgium. They were made of wood and iron. The thing was a beast and weighed 10.5 lbs without ammunition in the magazine. It had a kick like mule and shooting it would give you a very sore shoulder. You could kill someone with a one buttstroke to the head. The bayonette was 10 inches long and would go through anyone and cause massive trauma. It had a maximum range of 1000 meters but was usually sighted for 500 meters. I carried that weapon for 15 years as a soldier until it was replaced by the 5.56 mm rifle an upgraded new version of the US M16. I still preferred the FN though. What ever you hit with the 7.62 round usually stayed down and didn't get back up to shoot back at you. Personal preference.

Thanks for sharing this interesting info with us. I always know at least 1 person (you!) appreciates these posts.

[Thisismyaccount]

YW my friend. Interesting sidenote. Back when I was in recruit training, We had to run what was called a 10 mile battle run.
We carried our weapons and equipment with us on that run. I crossed the finish line with 5 FN's. 42 extra pounds for the 4 guys we wouldn't let quit. WE were graduating the next week is why. My platoon commander was standing at the finish line and saw me crossing with the 5 rifles and asked me how long I had been carrying them. I had carried them since mile 8 and he was shocked and asked why. My response was "we have come this far and graduate next week" sir. All he said to me after that was "that's teamwork". The point of this story is. I was 18 years old stood 5"7 ins tall and weighed 135 lbs and he was impressed that I carried those 5 rifles and ran the last 2 miles. I didn't have the heart to tell him I just wanted to get it over and done with lol. But yea it was teamwork. We were taught to leave no one behind. And that day we didn't. The other 4 guys graduated with us the following week.

[Deleted User 2149]

YW my friend. Interesting sidenote. Back when I was in recruit training, We had to run what was called a 10 mile battle run.
We carried our weapons and equipment with us on that run. I crossed the finish line with 5 FN's. 42 extra pounds for the 4 guys we wouldn't let quit. WE were graduating the next week is why. My platoon commander was standing at the finish line and saw me crossing with the 5 rifles and asked me how long I had been carrying them. I had carried them since mile 8 and he was shocked and asked why. My response was "we have come this far and graduate next week" sir. All he said to me after that was "that's teamwork". The point of this story is. I was 18 years old stood 5"7 ins tall and weighed 135 lbs and he was impressed that I carried those 5 rifles and ran the last 2 miles. I didn't have the heart to tell him I just wanted to get it over and done with lol. But yea it was teamwork. We were taught to leave no one behind. And that day we didn't. The other 4 guys graduated with us the following week.

What a great story