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View Full Version : Got to shoot a machine gun today!


billy ahring
02-03-2005, 10:37 PM
Was at the range today and met a fellow who was there to shoot his machine gun. He came in after I was already there and set up to do some testing of handloads I had worked up for a couple different rifles. He came up and asked if I would be offended if he set up and did a little shooting with a machine gun. I was a bit surprised at first and thought he might be full of hot air that he actually had a machine gun. He explained that he was legal and had the proper permit to own such a weapon. I was thinking something like a M-16 or AK-47 perhaps.

I went to his car to help him get it out and HOLY COW the thing was pretty big and weighed a lot to boot. The gun has to be mounted on a tripod to be shot. I think he called in 1909 or 1919 something like that. It was made by General Motors which I thought was kinda cool. Not sure what the caliber was but I think it was an 8mm. bullet on something pretty close to a .308 case. Oh and by the way it was belt fed. He asked me if I wanted to give her a try, I was practically salivating. Hell yes bud is the Pope Catholic?

I was thinking man I'd love to have one of these babies and then he told me what something like that costs, I nearly fell over I could buy a new pickup damn near.

What a gas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways I can cross that off my list of things I just gotta do before checking out of the world. I'm still smiling, that was big fun. But truthfully theres no kind of sporting purpose for that thing but it sure is cool. I don't know how much it cost in ammo to let me shoot but it went through a 200 round belt licketysplit all in one long burst.

I'll never forget that, and that's for sure


Billy

billy ahring
02-03-2005, 10:40 PM
Happiness is a belt-fed weapon


Ya got that right !

PJgunner
02-03-2005, 11:13 PM
About 20 years ago, I had a chance to buy a Thompson submachine gun for $1,400 plus the $200 transfer tax. I passed. Been kicking myself ever since. Gun was marked Illinois State Prison, Joliet. About 8 months ago, I saw that same gun for sale for $16,000 plus the transfer tax. :eek:
I always wanted to at least shoot one..
There was a guy at the range a while back that had a legal M-16 shorty, and by shorty, I mean a collapsable stock and about a 10" barrel.
We got to talking and he sticks in a 30 rounder, hands it to me and says, "Have fun." I did. :D he's been at the range a time or two swith a "Ma Duece", the good old 50 caliber Browning. Unforntunately the range masters won't let him shoot that one any more. :( He'd go through about a dozen full 9 yard belts shooting that thing. I guess that really does bring out the truth of the statement, "He has money to burn." :rolleyes: The nice thing is he ain't stingy. he offers to let anybody shoot his full auto toys.
I think that if I ever did spring for one of those, I'd go for the old M-3 grease gun. I had one in Nam and I really gre to like that gun.
Paul B.