Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

This is not original to me, but my memory of an article in the American Rifleman Magazine, which is one published by the National Rifle Association.

It is a personal account of an American service man who was a sniper in Viet Nam. He said it was the common policy during this period of the Viet Nam conflict that sometime during the early morning hours, there would be designated scouting parties who would go out and try to determine where the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses were.

So, to accommodate those teams and provide some protection, a sniper would go out ahead of those teams and choose a suitable location in case he had to suppress any enemy action if the other team happened to be detected.

Besides this sniper, probably wearing a ‘Gilley suit’ and carrying his sniper rifle, also had a G.I. issue .45 Colt semi-automatic as well as an S. & W .357 Revolver that was his personal handgun.
Walking down the trail that the team had chosen at around dusk, the U.S. sniper runs into a group of Viet Cong, a total of 4 men, apparently intending to do the same chore of scouting out the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses.

The U.S. sniper did not use his long gun, but with a pistol in each hand, killed the two Viet Cong who were in front, then dropped one of those trailing the men in front. The fourth Viet Cong turned and ran and got completely out of sight before the U.S. sniper could get him in his sights.
This was a remarkable feat of fast and accurate shooting when you have no other alternative.
Regardless of where you are from, or the amount of, or lack of training, being capable of quickly and accurately shooting was what made the difference in saving this man’s life. During wartime, or not is immaterial.

There is a saying that fits this situation. “A handgun is like a parachute, if you need it and don’t have it, you will probably never need it again!” I further suggest you regularly fire 40 or 50 rounds to keep in practice. If you live in a particularly ‘hot spot’ you might consider taking a handgun course in ‘tactical combat!’ Just Sayin…RJS



Why a U.S. Sniper Carries more than one Weapon

This is not original with me, but my memory of an article in the American Rifleman Magazine, which is one published by the National Rifle Association.
It is a personal account of an American service man who was a sniper in Viet Nam. He said it was common policy during this period of the Viet Nam conflict that sometime during the early morning hours, there would be designated scouting parties who would go out and try to determine where the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses were.
So, to accommodate those teams and provide some protection, a sniper would go out ahead of those teams and choose a suitable location in case he had to suppress any enemy action if the other team happened to be detected.
Besides this sniper, probably wearing a ‘gilley suit’ and carrying his sniper rifle, also had a G.I. issue .45 Colt semi-automatic as well as a S. & W, ,357 Revolver that was his personal handgun.
Walking down the trail that the team had chosen at around dusk, the U.S. sniper runs into a group of Viet Cong, a total of 4 men, apparently intending to do the same chore of scouting out the enemy’s strength and weaknesses.
The U.S. sniper did not use his long gun, but with a pistol in each hand, killed the two Viet Cong who were in front, the dropped one of those trailing the men in front. The fourth Viet Cong turned and ran and got completely out of sight before the U.S. sniper could get him in his sights. This was a remarkable feat of fast and accurate shooting when you have no other alternative.
Regardless of where you are from, or the amount of, or lack of training, being capable of quickly and accurately shooting was what made the difference in saving this man’s life. During wartime, or not is immaterial.
There is a saying that fit this situation. “A handgun is like a parachute, if you need it and don’t have it, you will probably never need it again!” I further suggest you regularly fire 40 or 50 rounds to keep in practice. If you live in a particularly ‘hot spot’ you might consider taking a handgun course in ‘tactical combat!’ Just Sayin…RJS

EZ Fishing Loc: College Ward, Utah

Thanks Robert I appreciate the knowledge that you pass on.

Danger25 Loc: Philly/ Cape may New Jersey

The sniper rifle serves only one purpose, long range, one shot… one kill . In CQC its useless , bolt action , it fires only one round at a time. Spotter is also equipped with an assault rifle to protect the shooter as well.

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

R J ......... In regards to the last paragraph of your post, it would be a good idea for those who don't fear or hate the concept of defending themselves with firearms to take your advice.
I have long advocated that women, in particular, seek to equip themselves with defensive firearms and take part in as much training and practice as possible. I can't help but notice that when I go the the pistol range, the ratio of women to men has changed dramatically over the last twenty years, and to my way of thinking, that is a good thing. There are female NRA certified instructors for anyone who has a strong preference to use one for their initial training, and that's great.
Personal defense is obviously a personal decision, but who doesn't want to see their Mom, Wife, GF, GD, Daughter etc. be as safe as humanly possible? So, let's encourage them to take part. Support them and go to the range with 'em, and take them out to lunch or something afterwords, to make an overall pleasant day of it. You'll both be better for the experience.
We'll all be a little safer in an unsafe world.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yes, by all means, females need a weapon as an 'equalizer'. I am licensed as a concealed handgun holder, but have seldom carried a weapon on my person. I do always have one handy, like in my car, and at home. Over my lifetime I have fired enough rounds to be pretty good at 'snap' firing at moving targets. I hope never to have to use this skill but will if pushed. Just Sayin...RJS

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

In this case, there was no spotter as backup. The sniper was on his own and did an excellent job! Just Sayin...RJS

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Oh

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Danger: yes, but depending upon the circumstances, even a .50 Caliber Machine gun isn't enough.

I had an acquaintance who was one of the first to be drafted in WWII. He was sent to Alaska and was part of the effort to expel all the Japanese from the Aleutian Islands.

As the U.S. troops continued to advance, the Japanese commander saw no other way but a Banzi attack. My friend was firing his .50 cal as fast as he could but was over run and bayonetted in his thigh. He shot the Jap soldier with his .45 pistol, by shooting him between the eyes. The war was over for him since he almost lost the leg and was in a hospital in San Francisco for a year. Just Sayin...RJS

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Jap soldier,, so typical from an old man, I like most of your stories sir, but too many ideological personal opinions sour your stories,

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

You are certainly free to have your opinion.
I was in the first grade when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor!

Now while we got very little news, I was only 6 years old, but could tell that folks were scared! I saw men standing around and talking in a whisper, like at funeral. We did not know whether we would win because after Pearl Harbor there was the loss of other ships and aircraft carriers. You had to live though those times to clearly understand it. Just Sayin...RJS

Jarheadfishnfool Loc: Woodlake/Tulare ,Ca.

Japanese Americans had nothing to do with what happened on Dec.7th 1941, yet they were interred like Native Americans in earlier years ,,, Nazi prisoners were treated very well in Texas , as a matter of fact,,,

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

You are correct about the Japanese Americans being quarantined into camps. It was too big a risk not to have taken some defensive action, or so it seemed at the time.

I assume you are either a Japanese American, or married to one.

What do you think would be proper in handling Chinese Americans if we go to war with China?

As to the German POW's in Texas. Yes, I saw them working on the different farms where I lived. However, they were living in prison camps and would have been shot if they tried to escape. I do not see that these prisoners were treated any differently than the Japanese Americans.

Yes, I am an old codger. I have raised my hand and swore to protect and defend the United States. As far as I know, I have never been relieved of that oath! Just Sayin...RJS

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

🇺🇸🙂👍

USAF Major Loc: Sea Bright, NJ

I was 5 years, 4 months old in the middle of August in 1945 when WW 11 ended with Japan's surrender.
Next day the NY Daily News headline was simply 'JAPS QUIT'.
It was simply the way it was then and many have never forgotten. Few referred to them as 'Japanese' until 1955 or so if my memory serves me properly. They were hated and demonized. Our own government published racial caricatures that are considered appalling today.
Was it right? Probably not but it was extremely effective.

USAF Major Loc: Sea Bright, NJ

I was 5 years, 4 months old in the middle of August in 1945 when WW 11 ended with Japan's surrender.
Next day the NY Daily News headline was simply 'JAPS QUIT'.
It was simply the way it was then and many have never forgotten. Few referred to them as 'Japanese' until 1955 or so if my memory serves me properly. They were hated and demonized. Our own government published racial caricatures that are considered appalling today.
Was it right? Probably not but it was extremely effective.