Mission-making question: Are weapons without optics still in common use in combat situations? Would it be unusual for a US combat soldier to carry an iron sighted weapon? Also, is the M-16A2 still used by any US soldiers deployed overseas, or are they all M-4/M-16A4 now?

actually...from what I've seen and noticed... weapons with sights, even the M60 and SAW now-a-days are more common and quite the norm.

Back when i was in the Army 85-95 it was the cold war, where we were going to have typical wars with 1000's of people in the woods...killing each other... now-a-days thou the war on terror requires more precision type killing...so most soldiers have sights as compared to the main stream soldier of my day who used iron sights.

JMO

Not aware of any M16A2s still being used by frontline US troops. The Afghan National Army got a bunch of them. US Army uses M4 with optics exclusively. USMC uses M4s and M16A4s with optics, the vast majority ACOGs. M249 without optics is less unusual. M240 without optics is even less unusual.

M16A2s can still be found in National Guard units (such as the one I was in) and second-line formations, such as supply and maintenance companies. I carried a plain iron sight M16A2 made in the mid-80s when I was deployed to Iraq in 2004 (I was a medic assigned to a forward support medical company).

While the regular Army has received a lot of technological upgrades, it's important to remember that the DOD still relies heavily on National Guard formations for overseas deployments. A lot of those National Guard units are still using relatively old (when compared to the regular Army) weapons and equipment.

My U.S. Army reserve unit got the M4's with the Aimpoint, rail system and front vertical grip before deployment to Iraq in late 2007 but I guess we where the lucky ones because most Active and Reserve 2nd line/support component units still carried the M16A2 with no optics at the time.

Iron sights are the prefered sighting system for close combat in a jungle type enviroment.. you wouldn't want optics in dense vegetaion where you need good peripheral vision as well as a simple sight for extremely close range engagements.

I think we are including aimpoints, eotechs and other 1x sights under the optics header here.

As has already been stated, there are indeed many second echelon and guard/reserve units deployed with M16A2's, though many are transitioning to M16A4's to benefit from Picatinny rail additions so they can mount optics, at a cost savings versus the price of a new M4. I find this to be a good compromise as the M16 is still a great weapon and with added optics, makes it almost on par with the M4. The only advantage offered by the M4 design is the Picatinny rails and the collapsible stock, great for the infantryman clearing a close quarters area, such as rooms or trenches.

It is also noted that many stateside guard and reserve units do still utilize M16A2's, as there is a shortage of M4's available stateside, priority being deployed units. Many deployed guard combat arms units (infantry, armor, artillery) and combat support (MP, ADA, ENG) have M4's available in theater. It is a shame that there are not enough for every Soldier, regardless of full time or active status, but the focus should indeed be on the door kickers, including those escorting convoys and not the FOBBIT's that may be ambushed at some point during their tenure overseas. It's simply matter of practicality over ego.

With regards to optics, they are a high priority and should be, but we also train and qualify with iron sights too, as they stay mounted on the rail in case your bateries die or optic goes FUBAR. The Trijicon has now combined the ACOG and EO tech similar site, to get the best of both worlds. http://www.trijicon.com/user/parts/products1.cfm?PartID=554&back_row=4&categoryID=3

Matt

The EOTECH allows you to focus with both eyes open, it's a reflexive sight and works great in close quarters and thick vegetation, was my preferred sight of choice.

Matt

Yes, but you try taking any optic sight into the jungle.. you'll spend most of your time wiping the lenses clean, due to constant dampness and the humidity.. totaly impractical.