Advanced Small Arms Tactics
How Small Arms Fire Works in Combat Most people think gunfire is simple. A shooter points a weapon, pulls the trigger, and the bullet travels straight toward the target. That is the basic idea, but in combat, small arms fire is more complex than most people realize. The battlefield changes everything. Terrain matters. Walls matter. Pavement matters. Elevation matters. The weapon matters too. A personal weapon such as a rifle or carbine is mainly a direct-fire weapon. It is built for aimed fire against visible targets. A heavier machine gun can do that too, but it is also suited for several other forms of fire that can shape movement, suppress an enemy, and make whole sections of terrain dangerous. Understanding these different types of fire helps explain why machine guns have been so important in combat for so long. Direct Fire Direct fire is the simplest and most familiar type. The shooter can see the target and fires straight at it. This is the main role of a personal weapon. ...