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30-round mags didn't show up until late in the war (i.e. after 1970), and even then it was mainly the high-speed guys that got them. Vast majority of troops in Vietnam used 20-rounders for most of the war. (I've seen a few pics of 30-rounders pre-1970, but they are rare.)
ALICE gear arrived after the war. The guys in Vietnam used M1956 (canvas) pouches, and later M1967 (nylon) pouches.
Army had flak vests (M1952A and M69), they just didn't wear them as much as the Marines (M1955).
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Well. About all that.
20:rounds were standard from the M14 and soon replaced by the 30rounders. 40s are unwieldy and unreliable.
The ALICE pouches work fine. They keep mags clean in the mud or dusted conditions. A web belt carries two quarts of water and 180 rounds of ammo. Additional attached to your pack which can be dropped in a fire fight.
Duct tape quiets web gear. And who uses slings anyway.
Flak vest. Only the Jar Heads wore them. I'm not sure. The Army didn't.
The Nam vets will tell you the green jungles were the best color. Certainly better than the replacement BDU and who knows about the grab bag of colors since then.
Pistols are for REMFs. Who cares about them.
M14s are ancient history.
30-round mags didn't show up until late in the war (i.e. after 1970), and even then it was mainly the high-speed guys that got them. Vast majority of troops in Vietnam used 20-rounders for most of the war. (I've seen a few pics of 30-rounders pre-1970, but they are rare.)
ALICE gear arrived after the war. The guys in Vietnam used M1956 (canvas) pouches, and later M1967 (nylon) pouches.
Army had flak vests (M1952A and M69), they just didn't wear them as much as the Marines (M1955).
The ALICE concept started around Korea, the M1952 design, with the first being the M1956 era you mention, to nylon 1961 rucksack, 1962 LCE, to let’s make more nylon, to LINCLOE stuff being issued in the mid 1960s, the 1967 nylon H-harness, to I believe full planned adoption in 73 to final mods/changes in 77 to a final belt change from hook to plastic.
With some minor material differences, it’s amazing how if you looked at Ranger Bn Infantrymen, say in 1987, compared to 1967 you say M1911A1s in the same holsters, M16A1s, M60s, with essentially the same gear and boots, knives, compasses, uniform, etc.