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Historians and gun enthusiasts continue to credit or blame particular rifles with winning or losing battles. Statistics, however, do not stop the debates. Similar studies suggest that small arms were only responsible for an estimated 10%-20% of the total World War II casualties. Statistical history suggests that many soldiers never even fired their rifles in combat during World War II (some data suggests as little as 12%, with arguments to the contrary, and at least one expert suggests soldiers purposefully missed their human targets). These surviving storytellers instead focus their successes on much more important phenomena: battle strategy, bravery, and luck. In all these conversations, I have never heard how any particular rifle was more responsible than another for saving or taking human life, or for winning or losing a battle. And in addition to Americans heroes, I have also heard first-hand from those who served in the Axis militaries. Purple Heart recipients from our recent wars in the Middle East have revealed acts of horror impossible to comprehend without experiencing them firsthand. My friend and firearms instructor, a Vietnam Marine, shared with me the day he almost died (and now celebrates annually). I have watched one of the Chosin Few wipe tears from his face as he divulged to me a small part of his experience in Korea. It has been my honor to personally listen to tales of heroism and horror from World War II vets with experiences ranging from retrieving the bodies of their fallen comrades on Utah Beach to fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. Speaking with veterans is an opportunity neither of us will ever turn down. Neither of us has served in war, but the conversation, thankfully, extends beyond the theoretics of our living room to those who have the first-hand experience to tell it how it is, or was. Our passion for rifles and history leads to much studying, research, and conversation. The discussion ensued, and we were not discussing hunting. That’s what my husband told me when I confessed my love to him of the Mauser M98 bolt action. “I’ll take any semi-automatic rifle any day of the week over a bolt action and twice on Sunday”. © 2015 Alexandria Kincaid (published in the American Shooting Journal, February 2016) What is the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?.How Seniors Can Take Steps to Deter Depression.Sign Consultation Agreement & Pay Retainer.Equine, Livestock, Farm and Ranch Planning.Probate, Trust Administration, Guardians & Conservators.