[M1921 with 100 rounds drum magazine] Posted on 09/05/2006 10:26:49 AM PDT by kiriath_jearim
WEEKI WACHEE - Automatic weapons attract all types. At the Hernando Sportsman's Club, you'd expect the camouflaged commandos toting long, mean-looking weapons.
But there's also the weekend warrior wearing a polo shirt, khaki shorts and house shoes, firing 100 rounds a minute.
Two spots down on the range is the elderly gentleman who adjusts his glasses before popping off shots from a gun that spits fire from the muzzle.
Then there's Patty Mitchell. With her ponytail pulled back by pink elastic, the slim 22-year-old shouldered her machine gun and let loose with the best of them.
It was her first time with automatic weapons.
"It was overwhelming, but extremely fun," Mitchell said with a huge grin splitting her freckled face. "I was excited, really excited."
For 10 years, the club located off U.S. 19 has hosted the Labor Day machine gun shoot to raise money for its facilities. The club has a variety of ranges ranging from 200 to 10 yards for firearms, an archery range and a barn for cowboy shows.
"The whole concept is safety," explained Joe Merriweather, executive officer.
It was the 200-yard range that the machine gunners were using on Monday. Around 50 shooters crowded in the long range, bringing everything from Mafia-style tommy guns to massive belt-fed machine guns fired from the ground. The roar of automatic fire rivaled the loudest rock concert. Spent brass shells flew everywhere and carpeted the concrete floor. Shooters changed guns and ammo on a regular basis, like kids dipping into their Fourth of July firework stash.
Their targets were spread out over the field and included two small cars, two copier machines, empty propane tanks, bowling pins and bags of flour.
Everyone took a break around mid-morning to inspect their handiwork. Small children romped in the sand, grabbing fistfuls of spent shells.
Regina Ballard was especially impressed with the mangled copiers. "Everyone can relate to the frustration of a copy machine," she said.
Ballard, of Inverness, brought her 10-year-old son to watch. It's an object lesson on how fun guns can be with the proper safety measures in place, Ballard explained.
A white, four-door Oldsmobile was riddled with holes. It looked familiar to Collin Nightingale. "I use to live 10 minutes from downtown Detroit," he said. "This is bringing flashbacks of home - except the car isn't on fire."
Nightingale got his wish after the break when an old, brown pickup truck was hauled out on the field. Within minutes of a steady barrage of gunfire, orange flames licked the underside of the truck.
One crack shot launched a green container at least 30 feet in the air.
Leon Dana priced the weapons on the range from $4,000 to upwards of $100,000. The limo driver drove from Jacksonville to test out an impressive array of weapons.
It's an investment. His 10,000 rounds of ammunition set him back around $600. "You have to really love to do this," he said.
His friend, James Sharp, said he came down from Jacksonville to "blow things up and have fun." Sharp got into guns after a bad back forced him to give up his motorcycle.
It's the responsibility behind firing machine guns that attracts Sharp to the range. Anybody can buy a house or a car, he said, but it takes special qualifications to buy a gun.
Dana let a reporter test fire an M-15, an Uzi and a massive, sit-down Gatling gun. Sharp was right. It's awesome to shoot the length of two football fields and still kick up dirt. "It's just the feeling of power," Sharp said.
[M1921 with 100 rounds drum magazine]
[MP40] 
[MG42] 
"A white, four-door Oldsmobile was riddled with holes. It looked familiar to Collin Nightingale. 'I use to live 10 minutes from downtown Detroit,' he said. 'This is bringing flashbacks of home - except the car isn't on fire.'"
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
I love this stuff. Where's the video?
Looks like my gun porn pics disappeared.
The MG42 was one of the most feared weapons in WWII. It had a horiffic rate of fire, around 1200 rpm. I believe some versions were as high as 1800 rpm
Sheesh...
I would like to see their cannon shoot as well.
We have a similar event in Radcliffe, KY once a year.
This isn't video from that event, but I'll sure you'll like it.
The Pig (M-60) was designed loosely around the MG42, although it's rate of fire was condiserable less, around 600 rpm. It exchangeable barrel was taken from the MG42. All subsequent machine guns, the M-249 and M-240 all feature quick change barrels.
Oh yeah....
Thanks for the extra-info.
I'm a never-served civilian...my naive brain was just impressed with
the simplicity and speed of that mechanical operation.
It went faster than a NASCAR tire change.
Cool. Sorry I missed it.
Weeki Wachee -
Mermaids with machine guns.
Those Seals were right, it wasn't narcosis.
Nicknamed "Hitler's zipper"
Those were funny!
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