Posted on 05/29/2019 5:06:50 AM PDT by w1n1
YouTuber PowerModz shows just how scary a runaway machine gun can actually be. This Thompson submachine gun takes off expectantly for this shooter. A runaway machine gun can ruin your day or others quickly.
While firing short bursts the machine gun just kept on going without putting a finger on the trigger. Though text book states Uncontrolled fire (the weapon continues to fire after the trigger is released) is usually caused by the firer not pulling and holding the trigger all the way to the rear. This results in the sear not clearing the sear notch, which causes wear to both parts.
Not sure if this was the problem with this Thompson machine gun but internal issues is likely. See the footage of runaway tommy gun.
Was the Thompson excited to run away?
More stellar editing by the AM Shooting Journal.
‘Tis always good for a morning chuckle.
“...internal issues is likely...”
Still more.
The Thompson is an open bolt, slam fire weapon. A downside of such weapons is that there is a delay of .1 to .2 tenths of a second between the “click” of pulling the trigger, and the first round going downrange.
Releasing the trigger is supposed to result in the bolt being locked to the rear (open position).
A sear worn to the point it could no longer engage the bolt could cause this malfunction, but I suspect a failure in the sear spring, or failure in one of the other three springs in the trigger group is the likely cause.
The Thompson is well-designed, but heavy. They took a block of steel and carved away that which was not needed for the weapon, similar to the way that Grumman “Iron Works” Aircraft used to build war planes.
The bolt and recoil spring are fairly massive. The parts of the trigger group are substantial, but the springs, not so much.
Around a dozen years ago or so, a father, an MD iirc, took his son, maybe 12yo, to a live-fire gun show where one could fire automatic weapons.
The kid, Jewish name I think, was indulged, and so not so surprisingly, chose the Uzi.
I understand the Uzi tends to pull to one side and up, at least according to Hollywood, and the poor kid managed to shoot himself in the head, dead, while firing it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Charles_Vacca
That son of a bitch Van Owen, blew off Roland’s head.
Is her finger on the trigger? Obviously never had training.
The one I remembered was a MA father-son at a CT site.
In any case, save for a latching failure, you’d think that they would have partial mags with just enough rounds for learning how to control the recoil.
It was the CIA I tell ya.
The man wanted Roland dead.
The deep state was active in sixty-seven.
SKS can do that when dirty. My SKS would slam fire. Very scary when you fire a round then an extra round fires.
The firing pin will get frozen forward when dirty, causing the extra firing.
Always keep your rifle pointed down range when loaded...
Anyone remember the APACHE? A knock off of a Thompson advertised in gun magazines fifty years ago.
It was later banned when it was found to go full auto if you pulled the trigger, and pressed the safety at the same time.
How positively gangsta...
Given the number of Thompsons produced and used especially during WW-II, I find it hard to believe this problem wasnt identified years ago or was at least anecdotal with Thompson users.
Micro-Uzi, as I recall.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.