{"id":27927,"date":"2016-03-08T23:18:06","date_gmt":"2016-03-08T23:18:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2016\/03\/08\/marines-ditch-iron-sights-consider-new-marksmanship-training-tables\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:35:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:35:48","slug":"marines-ditch-iron-sights-consider-new-marksmanship-training-tables","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/news\/your-marine-corps\/2016\/03\/08\/marines-ditch-iron-sights-consider-new-marksmanship-training-tables\/","title":{"rendered":"Marines ditch iron sights, consider new marksmanship training tables"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Marines will see changes in marksmanship and weapons gear coming down the line <\/span>this year, including the phasing out of legacy M16 iron sights and the three-point sling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marine officials On Feb. 29, the Corps <\/span>announced annual changes to the Corps’ its<\/span> combat marksmanship program last week based on recommendations from a gathering of key decision makers aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, last October.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results of this <\/span>symposium’s results were detailed broadcast <\/span>in two Marine administrative messages, 112\/16 and 113\/16. The first\u00a0spelled out how the service will Corps seeks to <\/span>streamline its marksmanship program. The second listed\u00a0authorized weapons and gear for all Marines.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the changes are not as dramatic\u00a0as those from last year’s symposium, they mark a continuation of the Corps’ drive toward\u00a0greater efficiency and lethality under the “every Marine a rifleman” mentality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a look at the most-notable changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weapons and gear<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Marine Corps will finally <\/span>phase out the legacy iron sights, carrying handle and three-point sling for the M16 rifle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the\u00a0The iconic M16 <\/span>iron sights and handles will still be authorized, the Marine Corps will anticipates <\/span>gradually deplete\u00a0working out<\/span> its existing stocks through attrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legacy iron sights will be increasingly<\/span> replaced with by <\/span>micro backup iron sights, which are modular attachments that\u00a0can be affixed to a rifle\u2019s rail mount and flipped up for use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the Corps will still need to train Marines to use iron sights in fundamental marksmanship should the rifle combat optic\u2019s red dot go\u00a0dead, said Kyle Lamb, a weapons consultant through his company Viking Tactics<\/u><\/a> who retired from the Army\u2019s\u00a0Delta Force after 15 years<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s sad to see the iron sights go,” he said. “The Marine Corps takes marksmanship seriously. If you need [the micro iron sights], you need them; just flip them up and you’re good to go.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The clumsy <\/span>three-point rifle sling will also still be authorized, but will fall out from inventories in favor of a two-point common weapons sling.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two-point sling allows greater flexibility to shooters, doubling as a firing aid and carrying strap, said Lamb, who supplies them to Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command via his company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s something the services have needed to do across the board for years,” he said. “The three-point sling doesn’t have any ability against the body, to tighten while wearing or shooting prone.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional These are additional <\/span>authorized gear includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n