New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-01
An INFERIOR Gun ADOPTED.
ARMY OFFICERS STATE THEIR DIRECTIONS TO
THE NEW RIFLE

THE NEW RIFLE.
yyosh,rp,on Dec 81 (Specal) There is growing
onnrch sion that a serious mistake has been made
IN selecting foreign small arm for the military
service. IA Il falls FAR below the requirements OF
nrst-class piece. Reports received at the war be-
u,rtment from officers attached to companies which
practlsed with the gun last summer are almost
unanimous In objci,lng to its many defects. some
Of which are radical. The main objection seems
70 be with the brcech mechanism, while II Is also
said tina, the calibre Is too small. the bullet 100
light ard beyond range Of 300 yards the gun IL
Inaccurate The smaller and lighter bullet seems
~ he more Al the mercy OF the wind than was the
lead bu,e, OF the Oh 45-calibre Winchester Ac-
cordIng to many reports. the gun is not 50 good
a. the old Springfield
II IL is clearly demonstrated that the Army gun
l. Inferior because OF Its small callOre. the Navy
has probably also hlun1ered for II has recently
adopted n gun OF even smaller bore anu IN iA'''
the smallest in use by any Government There Is
OF course a great difference OF opinion between
the experts OF the two services over the smaI-arm
question each holding that IT'S gun Is the superior
The Navy points out that lis gun IL nghter ana
shorter IN the barrel, and thus enables man 10
carry fifty more rounds OF ammunition than the
soldier In accuracy hatness OF trajectory anu
Velocity # Is said to be ahead OF the Army piece
Another merit claimed for the Navy piece is that
il is Of domestic invention and manufacture
throuphout waile the Army gun IS the product OF
A foreigner. Both pieces unquestionably nave pow
erfu penetrating powers. and are certainly more
deadly than any OF the old arms whether tAey
are az accurate remains to be decided when sug-
gcsted improvements in the Army gun have been
made
Captain f. f. Hardin. 18th Infantry say, That the
gun does not shoot accurately at 200 800. 500 and
coo wards. No guns shoot alike at these ranges
The inaccuracy and Indifference In the guns in
creased rapidly with the range. This inaccuracy.
ne thinks is due entirely to the sights and possibly
In q measure TO the ammunition Captain j. T. Van
Arsdale It'll Infantry. says the new magazine gun
IS total failure practice gun with small round
bullets and black powder. His conclusions from
observations at the regular target practice.
that the rifle is in no particular target gun.
accuracy having been sacrificed 10 and in
creased dangerous space. While range beyond
mile he says IL OF little value. owing TO use OF
tlery and machine guns. the increase OF dangerous
space Is of great importance and II this cannot be
obtained except by sacrifice OF accuracy. he is in
favor OF retaining the gun in preference
return to the accurate but less dangerous
Springfield Captain kendrick. OF the reg-
ment asserts that the rifle shoots too high and to
the left At and 500 yards range the rifle shoots
six feet at the 500 or 600 yard ranges There not
n single rife that would shoot where 1T held
The especially the sharp shooters became
discouraged when they found there no way OF
correcting the line OF sight. and II was a difficult
Of the bullseye. Captain Worden also OF the 9TH
Infantry thinks the gun is serviceabe durable. and
likely to stand the rough usage OF field work with
view OF the gum and says that the most trustwor-
thy shots did not do AZ well with the Spring
field. callbre 40 Expert shots could also fire more
upidy for given number OF rounds In excess OF
six with the Springfield calibre than with the new
gun.
Captain Quinton eth Infantry. thinks that
the gun has not yet had fair trial. and that II Is
largely experimental The weapon. he finds light
and handy. Parts exposed great friction soon
show signs OF wear. as the metal IL soft. Captain
Dung sums up his experience with the gun az fol-
lows: 1t cannot be considered accurate piece.
II does not inspire men with the same confidence as
that experienced with the old gun. Captain Quinby
says his preference Is decidedly in favor or the
Springfield. Captain Gabreath says II IL not as ac-
curate as the old gun. and that II Will undoubtedly
prove a aust, rust and dirt holder The metal or
parts OF the gun. he reports. IL too sort FIRST
Lieutenant Davidson. llth Infantry. nnds many
objections 10 the gun. the principal being the de-
fcctive and complicated breech mechanism. lie
had observed fourteen rifles which during sighting
and aiming drill without cartridges could not be
opened after firing Mishres at target practice
march last summer that 1t was impossible 10 Keep
the mechanism free from rust during rainy. ana
even damp weather. In handling the piece. In carry
Ing 1t through cover and In crawling with II on the
ground, the undue projection OF the front sight.
bolt handle and magazine gate was continually
ca itching, thus impeding progress. worrying the
men, and getting weeds and grass attached TO the
piece. Other officers have practically similar OBJ
l0ctionO to the new gun.