I've only been out a few years and it's getting so I don't recognize any of the gear these guys are carrying now....

http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1117

I have been out so long now I am like you I can't tell what the troops are carrying nowadays. I remember only carrying 3 different weapons, M-14/A1, M16A1 and the .45 cal. pistol. But they kept me alive and going.

I carried the M16A1, transitioned to the M16A2 (wow, the difference between those was dramatic, I gotta say). Got a .45 (M1911) and transitioned to the Beretta 9mm (kinda liked the .45 better, but the 9mm was more accurate...).

ever have to open up cases of C rats with the A1 barrel?

Not that old

Never had C rats! Geez, I remember eating C rats back in mid 70's that were dated 1952! It was eat it or go hungry.

Coachman is pulling your leg Gunny. I still have my opener.

Does P38 ring any bells?

P-38/ John Wayne.. I still have one that is 5 inches long and it'll open a big can of coffee in about 4 seconds.

To all you Old Salts a P-38 is 1.5 inches long I don't think the big one actually had a name I have heard it called a P-50.

P-38 is the 1.5 incher. The big one I picked up at a surplus store just because I came across it. And yeah, the Marines called the P-38's John Wayne.

Gunny I found the larger modle of the P-38 to be a pain in the keister to carry around, liked the baby model best. As far as c-rats go the limabeans and ham just sucked, went hungry a time or to when that was what I received YUCK!!! Also made hitting the ground kinda hard when carried in cargo pockets, dumb place to store C-rat cans.

Yea, I know it is a P38 and it does snag on stuff. I got a free drink in a bar once because I was the only person who could open a can for the tender.