"What is the Equipment on the end of Modern US Rifles" Topic

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It is on the figure on the left in tan, just above the left hand grip.

The one on the left looks like the PAQ4, then one on the right looks like the earlier PEQ2. Both of them are bore-sighted IR aiming points, that is, when you have them turned on (you have a button for the PEQ2 and a lever for the PAQ4 on the foregrip) and look through your NVGs you can see the beam, which is (mostly) where your rounds will go when you fire. In 2004 the USMC was phasing out the PEQ2s because you could see a red dot on the equipment with the naked eye.

As an aside, if you've seen the Call of Duty Modern Warfare games fro the Playstation or Xbox, when the SOF guys use their night vision they are using PAQ4s or PEQ2s and it looks just like real life. Pretty amazing.

V/R,
Jack

Laser Device & Flashlight – called LAM Flashlight (Laser Aiming Module)

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EDIT: Jack beat me to it while I wrote that, and with a lot more in-depth explanation ;)

Unfortunately, it's junk. The gears on the inside that adjust the beam slip due to weapon recoil in my experience. Had one point about 15 degrees off after about 30 rounds. Lowest bidder and all that.

Rubber – so they'd lose effectiveness in any extended firefight?

How hard is it to adjust or reset the device to be functional again?

I don't understand Rubber. So, knowing that those things are going to fail as you describe, SEALs and Delta use them anyway?

Rubber Suit – That sucks, you had a much different experience than we did. We hadn't gotten them until Iraq, but really loved them.

Weasel – It's real easy to readjust them. You have the shooter get down in a supported prone position on his 300 BZO, there is a special target made which you'd hang about 25 or 30 feet away.

Flick the PAQ/PEQ on and have a buddy (with NVGs) adjust the beam onto the target, a little below and left of the bullseye, the knobs are external on the PAQ/PEQ, no special tools needed.

We would re-zero about once a week or 10 days, or earlier if you knew you'd really whacked your rifle on something. It only took about 10 minutes, and most of the time we'd do the whole platoon at a time.

I had a PEQ2 because I carried a 203 and the armorers couldn't figure out how to put a PAQ4 on a 203 (the 'old' A2 kind, not the 'new' A4 kind)…

V/R,
Jack

…also, they aren't just used for aiming YOUR weapon they are also very useful of IDing lanes of fire, targets for others etc…"see that building right there" or "I saw movement in that window"

30 rounds on target at night is a pretty big advantage. and after it quites working, you are only as bad off as everyboedy who doesnt have them.

besides, there are almost always slightly better sets of anything, or workarounds that only select groups are allowed to use.

Owen

Appreciate the info Just Jack. We didn't have such fancy kit when I did my time in the Danish reserves but watching it in "Generation Kill" (which I assume was fairly accurate) was certainly impressive.