"Argentina's Sniper Weapons in the Falklands" Topic

Given the level of knowledge amongst the gaming community here I thought that someone here would be able to answer this:

Two Ospreys (Modern Snipers and the FAL) say that Argentina had M-21 sniper rifles in the Falklands and the FAL book also mentions Argetina's use of Reminton Model 700's with Redfield 3-9 variable scopes.

Does anyone have source to confirm this?

Also, a recently published gun book states that Arentina's Army used the MG-3. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks for the help,
Dennis

Not hugely surprising for the Remingtons. That's a civilian weapon, you can walk into any gun store in the US and probably grab 5 of them.

Though Redfields are pretty cheap scopes.

The MG3 was sold to many countries, including Argentina, so I imagine they used them in the Falklands.

I know the Argentinian Army used Mauser sniper rifles but the use of the Remington 700 doesn't surprise me.

The weapons were…

Mauser Rifle
Garand Rifle / Beretta
Garand Rifle / Beretta with night vision
Fal with residual light look
(oficially).

But there were two Steyr-Mannlicher SSG 69 in the Island.
One was in hands of the medic of the Commandos 602 and the other one…mine.

Of possible interest
link

For translation you can used.
translate.google.com/#es/en

Amicalement
Armand

I feel there is much that I don't know about you Armand.

I presumed the mausers were 98Ks, which I see by the link was the case.

I'll have to bookmark your link for later, Tango. I think I'd rather try to read it with a dictionary (my Spanish vocabulary is very rusty – although I am told my pronunciation is still pretty good) rather than auto translate it.

If you need any help, it would be my privilege to help you my friend.

All the mausers were 98k.
I have one myself in my house with scope.

Amicalement
Armand

Thank you all for the info.I'm surprised about the Baretta, the Garand and the Styer. No source in English mentions them at all.I'm assuming the Baretta was the BM-59? The Remington with the Leatherwood scope was the standard sniper rifle of the USMC when I was in and there were strong links between the Argentina's Marine Corps and the USMC when I was on active duty (1967-1972). As a matter of fact my Basic School classs included two Marine Officers from Agrentina.The were very competent officers tactically and technically.The M-21 was a US Army weapon in those days but Ft. Benning has a longer arm that Quantico !
Thank you Armand for your help. It's deeply appreciated.

Dennis

Armand has managed to impress and scare me at the same time.

Never ceases to amaze me though.

David G.

Agreed and that's a beautiful Mauser.

Great find ! Don't think anyone could argue with the photo

I believe that picture is of 601 Commando, although I am sure Armand could probably tell us.

A pleasure to help a fellow member of the forum my friend Dennis0302!

That pic belongs to the 602 not the 601 Commando Company.

The 601 was stationed in the "Gran Malvina" Island and saw very few action. (one more of the great "tactic" orders from our CC about the only unit with experience in those days , and the second one was when the bastard m… decided that the 602 has to quit the front and march to their new post as "special guard" of himself!!!!!!!!!)

The 602 arrived at May 26th and the man with the rifle is the medic (as I had said) Ranieri.

The 602 had the best gear and equipment of any other unit deployed on the islands.

By memory… they carried two FN MAG machine guns, two blowpipe and PDEF-40 rifle grenades. Also 10 rifles .300 magnum with telescope and two 60mm light mortars.

For us, common soldiers from the line, it was more than impressive.

I fought with them a couple of times as voluntary.

Amicalement
Armand

So you were 601 Commando? Have I read that correctly?

No my friend, I was only a "recruit" who was promoted to officer after the 3 month training.

True that I have a lot of weapon experience (and combat too) before the war.

I have fought with Rico Commandos twice but as a "volunteer"

Amicalement
Armand

Armand you should give a lot of thought to writing your story. I can promise at least one sale!

owen

Thanks I really appreciate it. I was just assuming as the other sniper rifle was in 602 then if you had the other then you were in 601.
Sorry for the assumption.
Was it your own personal weapon? You said you hunted before.

Yes, Armand, I really feel you have a book in you.
We would love to hear your story – if it isn't to painful for you to tell.

The weapon they give to me was a Mauser from WW2.
I travel to the Islands with my own weapons. Lost both of them there. (destroyed of course).

I'm a hunter since 9 years old.
Both my two grandfathers were great hunters, also was my great great grandfather (yes I enjoy some years with him), he was the ruler of the family and he was English. The other great master was my great uncle (brother of my grandfather) who was an NCO in the French Foreign Legion.

All of them really tought boys and I was the only "male" in the family for a long time.

So, imagin how was my childhood and adolescence with them! (smile).

I LOVED their personal histories. All of them have been top warriors and I was fascinated with them.

Of course, since my early years, I conform a "gang" with friends of my age who like the same stuff.

For example, when I finished high school, my classmates went to the classic graduation trip to Bariloche enjoying there girls, drinks and parties. My friends and I went a whole month to "enjoy" a survival course. Three of them returned with serious health problems and one never regained his sanity.(smile)

About the book, it's impossible because I have signed a legal document with the Army were all I lived in the Islands became "classified". If not, they would have never given to me the Discharge and I would had been in a legal "limbo" forever.

On those days, when you joint the Army Forces, you have to
give your ID to them, which was held until the end of your conscript period. Without your ID you can not vote / work / travel / studying, etc.

So, if you want it… you have to singed the "classified" papers.

That's why there are not many histories about the Malvinas crimes against us.

Thanks for ask my friend.

Amicalement
Armand

Great. Thanks again.
When I finish my forces I will post pics. So far I inly have British troops bought.

No mention my friend.
Waiting to see your pics!!

Amicalement
Armand

Tango, until that last post my opinion of you had been significantly raised by this discussion, as it is whenever I read first hand stories from those who fight for their country.

What I find less tasteful is that you feel you have to hide the truth behind a 'secrets' act, yet at the same time feel able to cast unproven accusations almost as an afterthought

"…you cast unproven accusations almost as an afterthought"

My friend, anyone who was in the Island can told you about the papers we have to signed.

Which unproven accusations you refer?

I only told what I live in war.

Have you been there?

Amicalement
Armand