Gun Shields

Sepecat SG

Why are there no gun shields fitted to SAF pintle mounted machine guns ?

Surely these are a necessity when in combat.

weasel1962 SG

Still need gun shield when MG is remotely fired? (new APCs all with remote stations).

Older M113s had gunshields. So did the older Bionix 40/50s.

Bipod/tripods of course not counted.

Sepecat SG

I am referring to pintle mounted machine guns which are found on many of our vehicles , even on those with turrets & RWS.

Sepecat SG

Gun shields are usually installed only after real bullets start to fly.

In Vietnam war, the first M113 50 cal guns came without gunshields. These were installed once casualties of 50 cal gunners mounted quickly. Later, gunshields were also added to the 7.62 MGs at the rear fo the M113s when it became clear they prolonged the lives of these gunners. Ditto for other vehicles in Vietnam as gunshields were installed on every pintle mounted MG including those on trucks, tank commander MGs etc.

This lesson is being learned again in Iraq & Afganistan where gun shields are fitted to loader's MG on M1A1s, gunner MG on Humvees & Warthogs etc etc

It is actually a no brainer that gunshields shud also be installed on SAF vehicles and especially the commander MGs for our Leopards, Bionixs, Broncos etc etc.