B5 Systems

Gunner’s Fact or Fiction: Semi vs. Automatic

U.S. Marines, CWO5 Christian Wade, 2nd Marine Division Gunner, and Cpl Gerald Tredo, 3/6 infantryman, compare shot groups while firing on semi-automatic and full automatic at various distances on October 18, 2017 at Camp Lejeune. The intent is to provide guidelines on when it is most appropriate to use semi automatic and full automatic when suppressing an enemy. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Bethanie Ryan)

10 Responses to “Gunner’s Fact or Fiction: Semi vs. Automatic”

  1. Gerard says:

    Most civilians crave full auto weapons only because they can’t own them, not because they need them.

    • mike says:

      Who asked you what civilians need?

      Who said someone needs something in order to want it?

      Why do you care if people buy things they want but don’t need?

  2. RockyMountain9 says:

    Kinda makes you wonder about all those videos of American troops hosing into the jungle with their M16s in Vietnam. Might they have been more lethal with more judicious use of semi-auto? Granted, semi only really helps if you actually have a distinct target to shoot at, and that was far from guaranteed in Vietnam.

    • James says:

      Bruce Norton talked about that in his books, really thought it was important for being able to survive a prolonged firefight in a small unit. Even related an incident with a tiger that showed how ingrained it was in those guys IIRC.

  3. dingus says:

    The Russians now know not to use full auto constantly. wtf.

  4. Strike-Hold says:

    Yeah, basically shows what I learned in Basic Training in 1982 – full-auto from a rifle is basically only useful as suppressive fire (aka, keeping the enemies heads down), not for actually killing the enemy.

  5. jon says:

    I think this is a great use of instruction via social media to younger troops (marines/sailors in this instance). Even though I learned this years ago in training, it is still good to see it visually more than just in a manual. Good stuff!

  6. GearQueer101here says:

    So NO one has a problem with him firing a gun, much less full auto with no care in the world to aim it or even pretend to look down his sights ?? Its one thing to make idiotic videos that open with someone screaming at the camera, whole different to not even bother to open the scope caps and pretend it can be aimed.

    Jeez.