Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » If you keep shooting a machine gun 24/7 you are bound to hit something. You don't have to be a sharpshooter/marksmen. Do ya?
RosieG

If you keep shooting a machine gun 24/7 you are bound to hit something. You don't have to be a sharpshooter/marksmen. Do ya?

All you need is ample ammunition to keep shooting 24/7 365.  Anyone can do it, right? It takes stamina I expect to keep at it 24/7 365. Is t here any kind of blowback when you operate one? Don't some weapons throw you back and almost knock you down from the strength of the shot(s) going out? How heavy is a machine gun? Do you have to be in excellent physical shape to handle one or can anyone do it size/weight/gender of said person notwithstanding?

Posted - January 2, 2018
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Responses


  • 5391
    One thing that should be noted in this hypothetical, Rosie, is that in a matter of minutes the barrel of the gun will become very hot. Glowing hot. So hot in fact that continuing to blow rounds through it could warp the barrel. This is an extreme danger to the gunner. This fact brought about the invention of the Gatling gun, with it’s multiple spinning barrel set up. 

    As for weight, recoil and whatnot, it depends on the weapon. If you can carry a toddler, you are strong enough to handle most modern Class 3 firearms; Gatling guns notwithstanding. 

    This post was edited by Don Barzini at January 2, 2018 2:52 PM MST
      January 2, 2018 7:26 AM MST
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  • 113301
    It is only my complete and utter ignorance about the subject that allows me to ask questions like this m'dear! I hope that folks who know will educate me about things I don't know which you just did. Thank you for your thoughtful, informative  and very helpful reply Don B and Happy Tuesday to thee! :) So what happens if a barrel is warped? Does the bullet blow back into the shooter?
      January 2, 2018 7:55 AM MST
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  • 5391
    If the barrel gets hot enough, the metal softens and the bore (the hole through the barrel) can distort or begin to close. This creates incredible pressure back through the chamber (where the next bullet is seated to fire), which can then cause the weapon to explode in the shooter’s hands. In such an instance, peril to life and limb is great.  This post was edited by Don Barzini at January 2, 2018 8:26 AM MST
      January 2, 2018 8:08 AM MST
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  • 113301
    So you could end up handless/armless and maybe even faceless? Yikes.  Thank you for the descriptive reply Don. My imagination filled in the blanks between "peril  to  life  and  limb  is  great." :)
      January 2, 2018 8:12 AM MST
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