If I had it to do all over again, I would have collected rimfire military trainers.

[Hangfire]

In 1970 in Basic Training, we never had any .22 trainers.
We had "buddies" toss up 3" aluminum discs we shot with daisy red ryders to teach instinctive shooting at close range.

I went through basic July & Aug. of 67' at Ft. Campbell, Ky. with M14's.....from what I heard BB guns and "Quick Kill" started a cycle or two after us as did M16's.

 

[dennishoddy]

I went through basic July & Aug. of 67' at Ft. Campbell, Ky. with M14's.....from what I heard BB guns and "Quick Kill" started a cycle or two after us as did M16's.

I was at Ft Cambell as well. Your timeline is correct.

 

[dennishoddy]

Time does fly been retired from the AF for almost 18 years seems like just last week. Keeping on track with the military trainers they are a blast to shoot. I have couple of Mausers and a Springfield trainer that is very close to the feel of an 1903. All 3 are great shooters.

I don't have a link, but read something on Google news that the Air Force was training with rifles again.
A guy I worked with said that in the late 70's, they carried wooden replicas of rifle while marching in formation and that was his only experience with firearms during his duty. (communications specialist)

 

[Btown]

I don't have a link, but read something on Google news that the Air Force was training with rifles again.
A guy I worked with said that in the late 70's, they carried wooden replicas of rifle while marching in formation and that was his only experience with firearms during his duty. (communications specialist)

Hope so, when I went in it was with .22 conversions. Once in I always qualified with whatever the job required usually an M4 in later years sometimes with the M9 or a shotgun. The shotguns we had in the missile field were all 1942 or 1943 manufacture if I remember correctly. They were beautiful but clinton made sure all were crushed when replaced with 870s and just before I retired we were getting Mossbergs.