Deleted member 1487
As an aside the North Vietnamese used the RPD, which was a 7.62x39 belt fed weapon designed in WW2 and was highly thought of by the US and Rhodesian forces, as both faced it. I have read US and Rhodesian troops 'appropriated' some and fielded them as they were much lighter than the M60 and had sustained fire abilities that were lacking in most 5.56mm weapons (plus they had the heavier 7.62 round for cover penetration). They used a chopped down version for easier use. So there was a demand for a light SAW that could be operated by one man while standing as needed.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/ar...my-lines-weapons-of-vietnams-covert-warriors/
Frank Greco during the Vietnam War with a cut-down RPD. He’s the the author of the book “Running Recon: A Photo Journey with SOG Special Ops Along the Ho Chi Minh Trail”. Shortened RPD’s were also used in the Rhodesian Bush War.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/ar...my-lines-weapons-of-vietnams-covert-warriors/