On Fri Apr 05 2002 Major Variola (ret) (mv_at_cdc.gov) wrote:
> At 09:19 PM 4/4/02 -0800, jamesd_at_echeque.com wrote: > > -- > >On 4 Apr 2002 at 14:55, John Young QUOTED: > >> "The current-issue 62gr 5.56mm (223) round, especially when > >> fired from the short-barreled, M-4 carbine, is proving itself > >> (once again) to be woefully inadequate as man stopper. > >> Engagements at all ranges are requiring multiple, solid hits > >> to permanently bring down enemy soldiers. > > > >Rapid fire weapons are generally not designed to bring down people > >in one hit. > > > Yes, disabling someone drains the enemy's resources more than killing > them outright. > But generally when firing at someone the idea is to stop them from > doing what they're doing, ASAP. This is done by reducing the hydraulic > supply to their brain, the nervous system itself being too small a > target to aim for. > > > >Military weapons are generally not designed to kill quickly. A > >badly wounded man who takes a long time dying is a much bigger > >drain on your enemy's resources. > > > True for snipers, but if you're being shot at and have inadequate cover, > > > I bet your opinion would change. > > > >An ideal low fire rate weapon will in a single shot so badly wound > >a man that he will soon die, unless he receives very prompt and > >expert medical attention, but does not "drop" him. > > > So he gets another chance to kill you. Or drop another mortar down > the tube. Or boobytrap his body. Not a good plan. > > > >An ideal rapid fire weapon will reliably cause serious and often > >permanent injury in a single hit, but will typically take several > >hits to so badly wound a man that he will shortly die. > > > Only you won't hit him twice because your muzzle is flying around. > > > The soldiers who are complaining should be able to obtain > AKs (7.62mm), which use a more penetrating projectile, fairly easily > over there :-) > > You can thank the Geneva Convention - it specifies milspec projectiles to be high-velocity FMJ rounds, which produce disabling wounds but don't do such massive damage that it becomes "one hit, one kill". No shattered bones, just neat little clip-outs that hurt like hell... Hydostatic shock is, however, another matter. - Dr. Strangelove --- "What, me worry?" -- Alfred E. Neuman
