Can older military weapons be brought out to be used in a major war?

SPC Joel Carter Sr — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 05:56:21 -0500

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2024 7:14 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 07:14:20 -0500

Yea, it's possible. But there's other factors to take into account. Is there still bountiful ammunition available? Ability to make said ammunition? Replacement parts available and able to be made? Those are just a few of the things that would be considered.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Feb 2 at 2024 8:01 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:01:08 -0500

Depends on the weapon. Some are no longer usable or the system that was used to fire them isn't available. And some require training because few on active duty now understand how to use them.

Response by COL Randall C. made Feb 2 at 2024 8:15 AM

COL Randall C. — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:15:11 -0500

Yes ... and No. What do you mean by "Older"?

If are referring to "older versions", there is a high likelihood you could reuse them without months of overhaul IF the components hadn't change from what's in the logistics system. For example, we have M1 Abrams tanks in storage, but they have a 105mm main gun while the M1A1 and M1A2 use a 120mm main gun.

If you mean systems that haven't been used for a while ... that would almost be like using a system you captured on the battlefield. I'm sure the service members who haven't used it before could figure it out if it's akin to something they use, but sustainment and repair are completely different issues.

So ... theoretically yes and theoretically no. It all depends on which system you are referring to.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Feb 2 at 2024 9:28 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 09:28:52 -0500

Sure. It happens all the time. Depending on context some things like the A-10, 50 cal and B-52 have outlived their expected lifespan by several decades. The BLU-82 daisy cutter was used in Vietnam and recently as the GWOT. Some things just stick around and never completely leave because it is unique and scratches a specific itch. Like the U2. It is one of the weirdest aircraft ever and shouldn't work for a bunch of quirks it has but it is still around since being introduced in 1956. Another example would be the Civilian Marksmanship Program that is used as a release valve for the Government to offload old equipment being removed from the governments inventory. They are still offloading M1's that are still on the books. That means everything that came Post Korean War till now is still somewhere.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2024 11:21 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 11:21:32 -0500

Yes, the Army even keeps track of the tanks are on display in front of VFWs in case we need them back.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 2 at 2024 10:28 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 22:28:16 -0500

The vast majority of the older weapons do not have the accuracy that we want.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Feb 3 at 2024 12:22 AM

LTC Trent Klug — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 00:22:23 -0500

SPC Joel Carter Sr Who you calling old? BWAHAHA!!!

Response by SPC James Neidig made Feb 3 at 2024 2:42 AM

SPC James Neidig — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 02:42:45 -0500

How Old Are You Talking About ?
If You Are Asking Could We Fight A War Using Civil War Era , Indian Wars , WW1 Weapons No Way!
Anything Newer , Possible ?
WW2 , Korea And Vietnam Weapons Used Ammunition That Would Still Be Available.
Also Are You Asking About A Conventional War ?
Or Defense Of The Nation By A Foreign Invasion People Have Have Fought Off Invasions By Large Well Equipped Forces Using Weapons That Were Not Equal To The Invading Forces, For Thousands Of Years.
Would I Go Up Against An Invading Army Armed With Civil War Era Weapons ? YES!
But As Soon As I Could My Hands On A Modern Weapon I Would .
ANY WEAPON IS BETTER THAN NO WEAPON !

Response by COL Dan Ruder made Feb 3 at 2024 10:38 PM

COL Dan Ruder — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 22:38:21 -0500

The military has more weapons than it has people to shoot them, it has more tanks than drivers to drive them, and more planes than pilots to fly them. Older military people will be brought back into service during a major war before older weapons will.

Response by SPC Joel Carter Sr made Feb 4 at 2024 10:23 AM

SPC Joel Carter Sr — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 10:23:41 -0500

P51 MUSTANGS COULD STILL BE USED. THEY WERE USED IN VEITNAM.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2024 1:50 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 13:50:29 -0500

Interesting question. I can tell you that in war, whatever Soldiers can get their hands on is whatever they will use. That's what history shows us.

Personally, I keep hoping to stumble across an old Davy Crockett and it's recoilless rifle in the back of some motor pool somewhere...

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Feb 4 at 2024 10:23 PM

1SG James Kelly — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 22:23:10 -0500

1911A1 and K-Bar.

Response by 1SG John Millan made Feb 6 at 2024 9:10 AM

1SG John Millan — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 09:10:43 -0500

M14 is still 8in limited use, 45 too. .38 just was completely retired and Ma Deice is over 100 years old. Yes.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 6 at 2024 4:12 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:12:38 -0500

Yes they could, the reality would be why, as we move on no longer training on nor stockpileing old weapons systems.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 10 at 2024 7:05 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 10 Feb 2024 19:05:52 -0500

really SPC?- look at Korea, Vietnam and everything since- no everybody gets the new toys, so you use what you have on hand! If it killed folks 50 yrs ago, then it probably will still kill them if used properly.

Response by CW5 Michael Tuman made Feb 11 at 2024 3:20 PM

CW5 Michael Tuman — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 15:20:25 -0500

Bring Back the PIG

Response by CW5 Michael Tuman made Feb 11 at 2024 3:21 PM

CW5 Michael Tuman — Sun, 11 Feb 2024 15:21:38 -0500

Waiting for my retiree recall!