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To: SandRat

Why do they call those 'miniguns'?

Don't look too 'mini' to me; and I'm not even down range.


3 posted on 06/01/2006 4:52:07 PM PDT by Hodar (With Rights, come Responsibilities. Don't assume one, without assuming the other.)
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To: Hodar

Harkins back I believe to the early days of the Gatling Gun.


4 posted on 06/01/2006 4:53:53 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
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To: Hodar
Why do they call those 'miniguns'? Don't look too 'mini' to me; and I'm not even down range.

Because they fire only 7.62NATO (.308) (.30 caliber) rifle/machine gun ammunition.

This is a 20 mm: M61 Vulcan

and THIS is a 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger


10 posted on 06/01/2006 5:16:33 PM PDT by El Gato
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To: Hodar
Compared to the 30mm Gau-8 used in the A-10 and the 20mm M61 Vulcan, used in various other aircraft, the 7.62mm Gau-7A IS "mini"...

But, compared to the 5.56mm XM214 "Microgun", the Gau-7A "mini" is pretty potent...

17 posted on 06/01/2006 5:42:33 PM PDT by TXnMA (Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad! Repeat San Jacinto!!! AND START IN AUSTIN!!!)
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