colt45
First Lieutenant
Posts: 439
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Post by colt45 on Feb 19, 2021 20:31:08 GMT
3 to 4 round bursts from any automatic weapon was being taught in the early 70's as the only way to hit anything. This mainly was aimed at guys carrying the M16, but applied even to my favorite MG, the M60. Wonderful weapon, as long as you lubed it very well prior to firing. As a volume of fire weapon, you could release a long burst with some accuracy and you got a good volume of fire out of it, but short bursts put those 7.62s right where you wanted them, plus avoided overheating the barrel, which would sag if it got too hot.
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colt45
First Lieutenant
Posts: 439
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Post by colt45 on Feb 19, 2021 20:32:50 GMT
My favorite heavy machine gun was the M85 in my cupola. Never had an issue with that weapon, even on high rate of fire. It was a lovely 50BMG.
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Post by yanmacca on Feb 19, 2021 20:39:30 GMT
I bet you miss that tank Colt!
Overheating is why I don't class the BAR as a serious light machine gun. To be in this class it must have a barrel change facility to give it the option of sustained fire. Every gun barrel will overheat when fired over a length of time, maybe why it is classed as a automatic rifle. The Belgians bought the BAR and modified it to allow for quick barrel change and a pistol grip, which then turned into a proper LMG.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2021 21:07:19 GMT
I was taught to shoot the M60 by saying "Fire a burst of 6" which put out a 3 - 6 round burst. On the MG range at Fort Bragg, the 82nd Airborne Trooper acting as my instructor/spotter went absolutely berserk when I started shooting. First round hits on all the targets I shot at. He was pummeling my on the shoulders with glee shouting "Keep it up! Keep it up!"
I loved the M85 machine gun, much more than I like the M2. But of course, I had the cupola and the whole tank to keep it steady. My platoon sergeant taught me how to set up the headspace and timing on the M219, which in general was a POS, but we took a coke can, cut it down to fit the boltface, put in a hole for the firing pin, and the thing sang. But the M240 was a marvel. I could brush your teeth with the M85.
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