Vietnam Airsoft Guide

[Tommygunn]

UMGuy,

Did you read page 1?

[UMGuy]

UMGuy,

Did you read page 1?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Yes, I did, but specifically I was looking for photo evidence of a seal or anyone using the rifle in Nam. Just saying it was used doesn't cut it for me.

 

And I was looking to see if anyone had information on the BE HK33.

[Tommygunn]

There's a picture, plain as day, half way down that Pjones posted. It's the same picture LeeC posted above.

[UMGuy]

Sorry, guess I did miss that one.

 

But still, does anyone know anything about the BE HK33? Reviews? First-hand experiences?

[dookieboy]

Dude this is a 'Nam thread stay on topic but you should try to search for it

[M14]

Ive heard bad things about BE. I would stay away from them and if you want a HK33 get a CA or KSC.

 

As for the HK33 being used in Vietnam, it was used by SF but they were a licenced copy of the HK33 made in the U.S. like LeeC said. Not a genuine German one. And it cant be called a G33 because the German Army never offically made it their rifle.

 

Also with my guide of weapons, I made it for the most common weapons in Vietnam as it would of taken a whole lot of time to make the full list, and I was just doing a quick one. I will probably make a full list of weapons used in Vietnam soon but dont expect it to include weapons used by ARVN or SF, there are just way too many to list. M1 / M2 Carbines and Thompsons saw very very limited use with infantry soldiers so dont expect them to be on the list either. They might be on it if I have time. A full list of weapons should be posted by the end of this week.

[M14]

Infantry Weapons

 

Assault Rifles

 

M16A1

5.56x45mm

in the late 50s and early 60s, the M16 was the most widely used assault rifle in the war. Almost every Infantry rifleman carried one. It fired .223 rounds and was select fire with semi and full auto fire modes. The main differences between the M16A1 "VN" and plain M16A1 airsoft guns is the birdcage flash hider and the 30rd magazine. The 3 prong flash hider on the "VN" version had a tendency to catch on Vietnams thick undergrowth so the military switched to the enclosed birdcage one. Both flash hiders were used in Vietnam but the 3 prong is better for early Vietnam gear setups and the birdcage for later Vietnam. Although 30rd magazines were used late in Vietnam in very very limited numbers, it is better to switch it to a 20rd to make it more authentic.

 

WGC Shop Custom M16A1

Tokyo Marui M16A1

WGC Shop Custom M16A1 VN

Tokyo Marui M16A1 VN

UNCompany Custom M16A1 VN

Classic Army M15A1 VN

 

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M14

7.62mm

Developed as a replacement for the M1 Garand after World War II, the M14 was used extensivly in Vietnam even though it was officilally replaced by the M16 as the militarys mian assault rifle very early in the war. The M14 fired 7.62mm rounds and was a select fire rifle with semi and full auto fire modes. The M14 had a wood stock and was converted into a short range sniper rifle by many soldiers. Although synthetic stocks for the M14 were developed in the 60s, real wood or imitation wood stocks are better for Vietnam gear setups. You can buy real wood stocks to replace your synthetic one on your M14.

 

G&G M14 Veteran

AGM M14

G&G M14

Tokyo Marui M14

 

Pistols

 

Colt 45

.45

The Colt M1911 was one of the most sucsesfull pistol ever produced by the US Military. It was used in WWI, WII, Korea, Vietnam, and is still used by the government today. The M1911 fires .45 rounds and was carried by high ranking and heavy weapon soldiers in the Vietnam war. Although there are many M1911 style airsoft guns, only certain ones are correct replicas. Theres way too many to list but heres a few.

 

Tokyo Marui M1911A1

Western Arms M1911

Western Arms M1911A1

CKW Custom M1911

KSC M1911

WE M1911A1

KSC M1911 (Full Metal)

 

Machine Guns

 

M60

7.62mm

Developed in the late 40s and using proven design features from past machine guns like the German MG42, the M60 became the US Militarys main and most extensivly used LMG in the Vietnam War. It was mounted on helicopters, jeeps, tanks, and was also carried by the soldiers themselves as a support machine gun. The M60 fired 7.62mm rounds and was full auto only. The M60E3 and E4 versions of the M60 were not used in Vietnam.

 

Inokatsu M60A1 (Full Steel Version)

Inokatsu M60A1

TOP M60 STD

TOP M60 DX

Escort / Inokatsu M60A1[/url

Asahi M60

 

Sniper Rifles

 

XM21

7.62x51mm

When the United States Military wanted a sniper rifle during the Vietnam War, the M14 was selected because of its accuracy, reliability and semi-automatic capability (for quick second shots). The Rock island Arsenal converted 1,435 Nation Match target grade M14s into sniper rifles by adding Leatherwood 3-9x ART (Adjustable Ranging Telescope) telescopic sights and furnishing National Match grade ammunition. It was designated and known to the military as the XM21 untill 1975, when it became the M21 but unofficially called the M21 as early as late 1969.

 

Although no XM21 or M21 airsoft replicas are available they are easy to make out of a M14. Just add a similar looking scope to the Leatherwood 3-9x ART and you got yourself a XM21/ M21.

 

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M40

7.62x51mm

The M40 is a bolt action, 7.62mm sniper rifle. During the Vietnam War, the Marine Corps decided they needed a standard sniper rifle. After several tests they ordered 700 Remmington Model 40x rifles and gave them the M40 designation. Most had a Redfield 3-9x Accurange variable scope mounted. Warping of the all wood stock made the army produce a M40A1 variant with a McMillan A1 fiberglass stock and Unertl scope in the early 1970s.

 

Tanaka M40A1 USMC Sniper Rifle

Tanaka M40A1 Military Sniper Rifle

Sun Project M40A1 TGC

Sun Project M40A1 Standard Version

Sun Project M40XB

 

Grenade / Rocket Launchers

 

M79

40x46mm

The M79 is a breach-loaded, single shot, 40mm grenade launcher that was designed in the 1950s as a weapon between a rifle grenade and a mortar and was officially adopted by the military on December 15, 1960. The M79 became popular among soldier but because of its size, a soldier carrying a M79 would not be able to carry a rifle as well. Many different types of grenades (like smoke, buckshot and illumination) could be used in the M79 but the most widly used type during the Vietnam War was the anti-personel grenade. The M79 was simple in design with only a few parts and was very accurate. Its main drawback was close range battles where the soldier carrying one would have to turn to a pistol, if he had or could find one.

 

CAW M79 Grenade Launcher (Plastic)

CAW M79 Grenade Launcher (Wood)

 

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M72 LAW

66mm

The M72 LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weapon) is a shoulder fired, 66mm, one-shot, anti-tank weapon designed in the US, as a replacement for the bazzoka after the Korean War, by Talley Defence Systems but produced by Nammo Raufoss Ammunisjonsfabrikker in Norway. The M72 weighs 2.5 kilograms and consists of a rocket packed inside of a launcher made up of two tubes, one inside the other. While closed, the outer assembly acts as a watertight container for the rocket (but when the M72 is extended, it looses its watertight capability, even if returned to the original position) and the percussion cap-type firing mechanism that activates the rocket. The outer tube contains the trigger, the arming handle, front and rear sights, and the rear cover. The rocket propels the 66 mm warhead forward without significant recoil. As the warhead emerges from the launcher, six fins spring out from the base of the rocket tube, stabilizing the warhead's flight. Most M72s used a 66mm HEAT warhead that detonates on impact. The M72A2 variant, that Deepfires M72s are a replica of, just had an improved rocket motor.

 

Deepfire M72A2 LAW (Metal)

Deepfire M72A2 LAW (Plastic)

 

Grenades / Mines

 

Mk. II A1

Grenade

Used as early as the 1920s the 20oz. Mk. II fragmentationgrenade, nicknamed the "pineapple" grenade because of its resemblence to it, was used early in the Vietnam War untill stock piles were exausted. The pineapple grenade had a 4 - 5 second fuse and contrary to what most people think, the indents in the grenade are to give the soldier a better grip on it, not to make more fragments. It was eventually replaced by the M26 "lemon" grenade. The average soldier can throw a grenade up to 125 ft.

 

Escort Mk. II Gas Grenade

Deep Fire Mk. II Gas Grenade

PFI Gas Grenade

 

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M26 A1

Grenade

The 21oz. M26A1 "lemon" fragmentation grenade replaced the Mk. II "pineapple" grenade. It became common around 1965. The fuse was 4 - 5 seconds and effective casualty radius was up to 50 feet and lethal at 15. The average soldier can throw a grenade up to 125ft.

 

Escort M26A1 Gas Grenade

Deep Fire M26 Gas Grenade

 

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M18A1 Claymore

Anti-Personel Mine

The M18A1 anti-personnel mine fired approximately seven hundred steel ball bearings in a sixty-degree arc and was lethal at close range. Early versions of the mine were aimed using a slit-type sight, whereas later models were aimed using a molded knife-edge type sight. Two pairs of scissor-type folding legs enabled the mine to be positioned on a wide variety of surfaces, and it could also be tied to posts and trees etc. Each mine came with an M57 electrical firing device and an M4 electric blasting cap assembly, which initiated the C-4 charge. An M40 electrical test set, which was used for checking the continuity of the mine's firing circuit, was issued with every six mines in Vietnam. The mine and its accessories were carried in a specifically designed claymore mine bag.

 

Escort M18 Gas Claymore Mine

GAMMA M33 Claymore Mine

 

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You may notice that the M1 / M2 Carbine, M1A1 Thompson, XM-177, BAR and some other rifles are not listed and they are not for a reason. They were not widely used by the infantry on the frontlines. I am fully aware that they were used in Vietnam. You can use them with your infantry gear but it wont be as accurate.

[Fin]

Just a few quick questions guys

1. Where chicom rigs used by the us (not issued just picked up and so on)?

2.How similar is the jungle jacket to the ww2 type OD jacket?

3. To what year were thompsons used?

 

I ask these questions as i want to do a nam and world war 2 loadout but im quite poor at the moment. I've already got a chicom rig and would like to double up the OD gear and the thompson.

 

Thanks

[Tommygunn]

1. Chicom rigs were used by SF in limited numbers/personal choice i.e. SOG etc.

2. Unfortunately there is no comparison really apart from the basics. The Vietnam era 'shirt', regardless of model, is a progression and is designed for lightweight and/or jungle wear. WW2 era clothing was designed with a different mindset and climate requirement so the cross-over is not really possible when it comes to authenticity.

In fact there is no real equivalent of the Vietnam era shirts with WW2 era clothing when it comes to design and cut.

3. It hard to be certain about the use of the Thompson but as far as mainstream use for the US military goes then it was pretty much mothballed by the mid fifties, and also because the M3/M3A1 Grease gun had superceded it since WW2. Of course, in relatively small numbers, it did see use by SF, advisors, MP's, vehicle crews, and ARVN use.

Certainly not a mainstream weapon and increasingly a rare sight, as it was anyway, as the war progressed.

[M14]

If you want to make a WWII and a Nam loudout at the same time. Make the Nam one a ARVN, not a US one, because the ARVN (Army of Republic Vietnam) was generally issued surplus WWII and Korea era gear. Some ARVN used chi-com rigs because they were light and plentifull in Vietnam. Some people wont know what ARVN is but you can keep it as a temporarry loudout untill you recover some money and make a US Vietnam loudout.

[M14]

Here are some tips to make a good authentic Vietnam loadout.

 

1. Canteens

Have lots of canteens. It was not uncommon to see up to and sometimes over 5 canteens on a soldier in full gear. When canteen covers were not availible or there was no any more room for them, they were often held onto rucksacks and sometimes web gear using civilian and military issue oval carabiners.

 

2. Flak Vests

Although flak vests were used extensivly in the city fighting like Hue, they were rarely used in the jungle due to their weight and size.

 

3. Patches

The patches themselves and they layout changed as the war progressed. Very early infantry divisions who fought in Vietnam around 65' were supposed to wear full color rank insignia sleeve patches, division shoulder patches, U.S. Army tabs and a white name tabs, and were more fit for parades then accual combat. The full color patches were soon ditched because of snipers and other obvious reasons and the patches were switched to subdued versions soon after. Toward the middle and end of the war, many soldiers didnt even wear rank patches. Rank collar pins were issued and used sometimes.

 

4. A1 and VN

Companies like TM and WGC Custom making A1 and VN airsoft guns has led many people to believe that only the VN version was used in the Vietnam war. That is wrong. Basicly the "VN" version is the version of the M16/AR15 before the militarys small redesign and improvements that were made around 1967. The "VN" version normally has a 3-prong flash hider, no-forward assist and non trap-door stock. The "A1" version should have a birdcage flash hider, trap-door stock, "fencing" arounf the magazine release button and a forward assist. The "A1" version was probably used more in Vietnam than the "VN" version. Both are correct as long as you use 20rd style mags in the A1" version.

 

5. XM-177

The CAR-15 Commando or known better to the airsoft world as the XM-177 was the first attempt at making a smaller compact M16. Although there are a few variations in the real steel with some different barrel lengths, few saw frontline combat with the infantry in Vietnam. However, the gun was popular with SF units.

 

6. Helmet Writing and Bands

Helmet writing was popular in Vietnam, but not all soldiers did it. For a nice Vietnam setup some writing is good. A few sayings or thoughts, a last name or nickname, a drawing of their divisions patch, a small drawing of their rank on the front were common things. Just dont do too much of one. Items on the Helmet, using a helmet band are another classic Vietnam thing. Just dont get carried away. Many units were not even issued helmet bands, but if a soldier wast issued one and wanted one, they often made one out of a M151 "Mutt" rubber inner tube. Anyway, insect reppelant was a very common thing. One reason the U.S. military changed the bottle from white to green was because of soldiers holding it on their helmet and risking it being seen. Cigarettes were another common thing but more around the base. Jungles are damp and wet, and wet cigarettes (from being on a helmet) are not the best. I would reccomend just putting a bottle of reppelant on your helmet but some other stuff is ok.

 

7. 7.62mm Linked Ammo and grenades

Help the M60 gunner carry some ammo. Although M60 gunners were the ones who usually wore the 100 round belts of ammo on their chest, a ammo carrier or sometimes all the guys in a squad chipped in and carried a belt. The ammo was either worn over the chest or wrapped around a rucksack. Also I dont see enough people carrying grenades. Both lemon (M26) and pineapple grenades (Mk.II) were used. Pineapple ones were used in the beggining untill stockpiles ran out around 65-67 (at the latest). Both dummy ammo and grenades can be found on Ebay and other websites.

 

8. RuckSack

Soldiers ditched their rucksack as soon as they got into heavy combat. Do the same or just leave one at the starting area with your extra gear in it.

 

9. Shovels

Shovels were a infantrymans best friend and can determine weather a soldier lives or dies. They were usually strapped to a rucksack but sometimes were attached to a pistol belt.

 

10. Smoke Grenades

Smoke grenades were used for covering attacks, retreats, marking extractions and landing zones and more. Replica and real (inert) ones can be found on ebay but G&G (airsoft) makes some pretty nice replicas that can also hold BBs.

 

11. WWII Surplus

Thompsons, M1/M2 Carbines, BARs and other WWII surplus weapons, except for the M3 "Grease Gun" were very rarely used by the US in Vietnam. They were givin to the US supplied ARVN though.

 

I wrote this at 2:00 AM, all by memory, so please point out any mistakes.

[Tommygunn]

M14,

Interesting you mention using Pineapple grenades, and no doubt old stocks were used up, but I've never seen a photo of a US soldier with one, certainly not post '65. Do you have any reference.

Oh, don't forget the M67 baseball grenade which replaced M26.

 

I'd also read that a lot of old school, die hard officers/commanders were very stubborn and ignorant and that they would not allow the discontinuation of full colour patches for bullsize reasons. This cost a few lives.

 

A sharpened shovel makes an excellent hand to hand weapon.

[M14]

I meant 66 at the latest, not 67 for the pineapple grenade. Anyway, I cant find any good pictures of the pineapple grenade early in vietnam either. I read in a book (forgot the name) that they were used by the US up to 65 / 66, untill stockpiles ran out, but were probably givin to the ARVN as surplus the second M26s started arriving in Vietnam around then. Im pretty sure the picture problem is partly due to the lower quality, grainy pictures that were taken in the advisor - 65 era and because back then soldiers were still using some korea / WWII gear like the 3 pocket grenade pouches with the wire hanger and stuff like that, that would cover the greande.

 

My father who was stationed in Germany (beacuse of the cold war problem) during the Vietnam War (around 1970 - 72) used pineapple grenades, not lemon. Party due to the fact that the new gear was being sent to Vietnam but interestingly they were also issued ERDL fatiuges, which were still newer technology then. Not everyone in Germany were issued them, but some parts of divisions were, probably to see how ERDL did in "Europe" type terrain. I also have a pretty blury picture of my father holding a M16A1/ M-203 (not the XM type one).

 

Also, shovels are a great weapon, especially ones with the pick on the end.

[Noks]

I am going to make a Vietnam load out and the first problem I have reached is M16 VN/A1 or M14? Whats the general consensus with what looks and performs better for a load out? Also can anyone assist me in finding somewhere to get realistic webbing and an M1 helmet as I seem unable to find anywhere to get some decent US Vietnam kit. Any help you can offer would be grand.

[Tommygunn]

I'd go M16A1 for a basic grunt outfit but it's down to taste. Personally I would do a LRRP, Seal or SOG loadout as I would want to use a CAR or XM.

 

There are loads of places that do Vietnam gear. Do a basic search on Google for 'M56 webbing', 'Vietnam gear' etc etc, also Ebay and shops like Soldier Of Fortune and so on.

[Guinness]

Excellent guide M14!

 

I'm both surprised and saddened that I just noticed it!

 

It would be cool if you threw this up onthe Review database, then you have more control to go in and modify/update!

 

...So you could add Boomarms to the list of retailers and add the G&P XM177E2 that they sell

 

 

 

 

Slainte!

[playmaker55]

I was wandering what was the typical loadout for a green beret/recon man doing LRRP missions in vietnam. I know he probably carried a car-15 variation but how many mags would they carry, and in what type of pouches. Also what other gear would they bring along.

[BaBaBooey]

I was wandering what was the typical loadout for a green beret/recon man doing LRRP missions in vietnam. I know he probably carried a car-15 variation but how many mags would they carry, and in what type of pouches. Also what other gear would they bring along.

 

I guess it will all depend on the objective? Probably a STABO rig, magazines in canteen pouches, possibly 56/61 LCE (or 67 MLEC), etc.?

[Tommygunn]

3 or 4 mag M56 pouches plus bandoliers is not an unusual loadout for any SF in Vietnam especially if they are on an extended or long range mission. Also they will no doubt be carrying a rucksack which again will be loaded with all the essentials.

 

I tell you what I've got a bunch of the 'NAM' mags so I'll get some scans done of Seals, SOG, Lurps, Green Berets etc later. They are mostly in colour as well.

[Tommygunn]

[BaBaBooey]

You can find more LRRP pictures HERE.

 

You can see below, the canteen covers used as magazine pouches in place of bandoleers. I think the theory was that they were much more durable and had a much higher capacity.

 

 

 

 

[Tommygunn]

Excellent photo link.

[airsofter0866]

what shotguns and gear were used during vietnam? Links/pics would help a lot!

[dookieboy]

WOW. Dude this whole GUIDE is for that. Common sense dude.

[airsofter0866]

WOW. Dude this whole GUIDE is for that. Common sense dude.

I am not a stupid newbie I read the whole topic first. I saw nothing about shotguns except one person saying that they forgot about shotguns.