What is your favorite mortar and why?

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 06 May 2015 17:25:40 -0400

I fired the 81 mm (M29A1) ground and tracked versions (M125) and the 4.2 inch (M30) ground and tracked versions (M106). I saw 60 mm mortar fire demonstrated but never actually fired. I know the M252 81mm is replacing the M29A1.
CPT Phil Alibrandi SFC Jason Bautista CPT Dave Borgognoni COL Vincent Bryant CPT Edward Cohen MSgt William Gaskins, LTC Gary Hetrick Capt Ed Hinman COL Eric Holmes MAJ David Humerick SFC Private RallyPoint Member, SFC Joey Jimenez CPT Tim Kiesow CPT Vann Knight CPL Pedro Lopez MSG Michael McElmeel MAJ Robert Stonerock LTC Mo Vanderslice SPC Private RallyPoint Member MAJ Don Weber

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 6 at 2015 5:25 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 06 May 2015 17:25:19 -0400

My personal favorite is the M125 APC version because it was easily moved [important when facing an enemy with counter mortar capability) and the thin armor offered some protection from incoming rounds.

Response by PFC Joseph Schneider made May 28 at 2015 7:45 PM

PFC Joseph Schneider — Thu, 28 May 2015 19:45:42 -0400

I was originally trained on 81mm at ft. benning on sand hill, after getting to my unit iwas retrained on 120mm at ft. Bliss. got a lot of small cocustions form that thing and still love it HANG IT!!!!! FIRE!!!

Response by LTC Gavin Heater made May 28 at 2015 10:32 PM

LTC Gavin Heater — Thu, 28 May 2015 22:32:38 -0400

The 81 MM mortar is accurate, easy to emplace, easy to support, has decent range, and its reliable. What you need when you want to reach out and destroy something, and you don't have cannon artillery nearby. Not a big fan of the 60 MM. If you are going to use 4.2 IN or 120 MM mortar, why not use 105 MM or 155 MM cannon artillery. It is more accurate and it can mass.

Response by LTC Mo Vanderslice made May 28 at 2015 10:35 PM

LTC Mo Vanderslice — Thu, 28 May 2015 22:35:57 -0400

The 4.2" was a real ass kicker. My mortar platoon time ended in 1987, but in Desert Storm or TF mortars fired more than our tanks ever did. Saw that platoon vaporize an 82mm platoon in counter-battery, kill hundreds of Republican Guard infantrymen, and create clouds of smoke whenever we needed it. Those 11C were aggressive as hell and they controlled the only indirect fire guns that we could count on at the TF-level.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 10:23 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 10:23:25 -0400

I personally love the m1064a3 m120. I have mobility to move with the fight easily. Can carry enough rounds to support the mission and I can be self sustaining

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 10:33 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 10:33:43 -0400

My favorite is the 60mm.
However, it all depends on the mission.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 1:10 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 13:10:01 -0400

hands down m120 ground mounted. heavy but fun to play with

Response by CPL Hayward Johnson made Jul 13 at 2015 1:47 PM

CPL Hayward Johnson — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 13:47:53 -0400

120MM all day. I actually started with 81MM when i was in Drum but when i got to Korea and started blasting off from the tracks it was great. Plus the 120 could go ground too so double the fun

Response by SSG James Yellis made Jul 13 at 2015 2:56 PM

SSG James Yellis — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 14:56:41 -0400

I was 4.2 for most of my career and loved it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 4:50 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 16:50:33 -0400

120 mm towed - a perfect combination of maximum power, range, and speed.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 8:15 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 20:15:17 -0400

I spent 7 years on the 60mm mortar, 7 years on the 81mm mortar, and 6 years on the 120mm mortar. Although I never fired the 60mm in combat (I did with the other 2), I loved the 60mm! I was Airborne in Panama, Ft Bragg, and Alaska with the 60mm and I loved every minute of the suck! It was definately some of the most fun I have had in my career!

Response by SGT George Romiti made Jul 15 at 2015 8:26 AM

SGT George Romiti — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 08:26:42 -0400

I really wished we were allowed to have 60s in the back of our humvees.. Definitely would of helped durning contact..

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Jul 15 at 2015 10:36 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 10:36:02 -0400

Brick and Mortar? I never used a mortar during my service time.

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Jul 18 at 2015 4:30 PM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 16:30:19 -0400

I would say 81mm . Why because I carried two radios and 5 rounds in the mountains of Afghanistan. Nothing better then when we got our first fire mission and my load got lighter. Good times great platoon.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 8:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 20:55:41 -0400

I'm a Mortarman, I love Mortars period, but if I had to pick a favorite I'd say the 60. The 60 is the most mobile of the mortars, no it doesn't make the biggest boom, but it's a hell of a tool to dismount with. If you're a Chuck and never got the opportunity to fire a 60 handheld, I feel sorry for you, it's one of the funnest damn things you'll ever do IMO.

I do love and miss my RMS6L though, that MCV mounted 120mm is a force to be reckoned with. Yes you lose some max range, but it is very effective and efficient nonetheless.

Response by SPC Don Stringer made Jul 23 at 2015 2:38 PM

SPC Don Stringer — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 14:38:15 -0400

The 60mm, I only fired the 60, as I became an 11 C in the NG after active duty, but I could put that round on target, hip shooting trigger fire method or by good ol' Kentucky Windage style.

Response by SP6 Donald Rowell made Jul 24 at 2015 10:06 PM

SP6 Donald Rowell — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 22:06:06 -0400

Well that would be easy the 4.2 rack mounted mortar

Response by SSG Delanda Hunt made Oct 23 at 2015 11:39 PM

SSG Delanda Hunt — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 23:39:24 -0400

Just large enough that you don't have to hump it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 8:10 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 08:10:12 -0400

60mm M224... It's just my favorite because of the maneuverability and it's awesome to fire handheld

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 8:10 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 08:10:12 -0400

60mm M224... It's just my favorite because of the maneuverability and it's awesome to fire handheld