micke@efd.lth.se (Mikael G. Niklasson) (07/30/90)
From: micke@efd.lth.se (Mikael G. Niklasson)
I have a couple of questions about the Swedish SMG Carl Gustaf 45[ABC]
aka "the Swedish K". I have seen pictures of it being used by
U.S. Special Forces (S.E.A.Ls ?) in Vietnam, I have also seen a picture of
it with an silencer(not standard equipment even in the Swedish
Special Forces :-)
- Can somebody tell where and when the U.S. armed forces bought those SMG,
because U.S wasn't very popular in Sweden at the time of Vietnam.
- Point out a reference to the silencer, i.e. where was it manufactured,
technical data, etc...
- I would like to hear the opinons from someone who have used it in
actual combat.
Regards/Micke
--
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# Mikael G. Niklasson Tel(home): int+46 46 13 08 35 #
# Lund Institute of Technology Internet: micke@efd.lth.se #
# SWEDEN micke%efd.lth.se@uunet.uu.net #
# micke@df.lth.se (very unsafe) #
# UUCP:{uunet,mcvax}!sunic!efd.lth.se!micke #
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When a fly lands on the ceiling, does it do a half roll or a half
loop?WMcBride%TSS%SwRI05@D15VS178A.SPACE.SwRI.EDU (08/03/90)
From: WMcBride%TSS%SwRI05@D15VS178A.SPACE.SwRI.EDU Ref: Message-ID <1990Jul30.015710.8420@cbnews.att.com> ( Bill, I'll figure out how to do this right ! McBride) I used a Swedish K in Vietnam for a couple of months in late '67 early '68. At the time I was running long range reconnaissance patrols in ICOR with A Co, Third Reconnaissance Battalion, Third Marine Division. Our business was to act as the "eyes and ears" of the Division, and this involved sending out a lot of small (5-7 man) patrols for four to six days a time. The mission was to gather information on NVA/Viet Cong activities, hopefully without making any physical contact. Because of the extended distances and time in the bush, we tried to pack as lightly as possible. Most of the weight was in ammo, water, chow, and radio/batteries. In essense, we were on our own for most of the time, and depended on our smarts, our marksmanship, and a bit of luck to accomplish our missions and get back in one piece. Artillery and airpower were our "big guns", if we were within range, and communicating. Enough background.... We obtained a Swedish K from a local SF unit, along with magazines and 9mm ammo (dated 1952 - 1955 as I recall). One of my point men preferred to carry the "K" because of it's reliability (we were having lots of problems with the M-16's at the time), and it's small size, which made it easier to move through the jungle terrain (we usually made our own trails, rather than chance the existing ones). The "K" did not require the constant attention that the M-16 did, would work when it was dirty/wet, had a 30 round magazine (I think), and had a unique signature that the NVA would not immediately recognize as U.S. (might cause hesitation for a brief second or so as they tried to sort out who we were). The SF unit we got it from had a whole rack of them and used them to arm some of the NUNG patrols they were running. Before Vietnam, the Marine Corps ground recon units carried the M3A1 'Grease Gun'. In my opinion, The "K" was a better recon weapon than the M3A1. The problem on a small patrol, is having weapons which fire different types of ammo, and the guy next to you cannot help you when you run low. We already had 5.56 and 40mm, and sometime 7.62 for the MG. We got a few of the M-16/AR carbines later in the war, but I don't think they were universally admired! Of the numerous patrols I was on, I don't recall having any contact where we fired the "K", so I cannot attest to it's "combat use". It was conforting to know that it would probably work, when needed, however. Just before I left Vietnam, the "K" was involved in an accidental discharge in one of our hootches in the rear area. No one was hurt, but the skipper "suggested" that we get rid of it to prevent anyone asking embarrassing questions. As I recall, we traded it to the local SeaBee unit for a pallet of plywood and some help digging trenches. Hope this helps.... Any interest in talking recon operations out there? "Killer Kane, this is Ironhand. How do you read me, Over" Bill McBride at Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas