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Subject: World's Best Machine Gun?
The Lizard King    9/6/2005 8:56:49 AM
What is the World's "best" all around assault rifle? I would nominate the AK-47 based on the following criteria: Reliability Durability Affordability
 
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flamingknives    RE:auto-rifle versus assault rifle   9/9/2005 10:43:13 AM
From a quick burst of Google, it would appear to be MP 43 -> MP 44 -> Sturmgewehr 44 All the same gun, all with an intermediate cartridge Now, you might be referring to the G43, which is not called a Sturmgewehr. Apparently some of these semi-automatic rifles were rechambered for the intermediate round. Mr. flamingpicky strikes again!
 
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S.C.P    RE:World's Best Machine Gun? CATOGORIES   9/9/2005 11:28:17 AM
The differences is not nececarally the catridge but the design of the weapon itself. Generally like this but with some variations: SUB-MACHINE GUN: A fully automatic weapon firing pistol ammunition usually 9mm. LIGHT-MACHINE GUN: Firing Rifle sizes ammo, 5.56mm, 7.62mm/.303 etc... The weapon itself being light enough to be carried, fired and maintained by one man. MEDIUM-MACHINE GUN: Seen mostly in World Wars I and II as a medium machine gun. Portable enough to be carried by one man but needs to be fired from a base or tripod. Usually Belt or later Box Fed.Sometimes a 2 to 3 man crew.. Larger Rifle ammo, .303/7.62. After World War Two was phased out by GPMG's General Perpous Machine Guns. Heavy-Machine Gun: usually .50 calibre size ammo. Sometimes 7.62 medium machine guns are called eavy machine guns but are not of this size. These weapons are nearly always mounted to a vehicle or Tripod, difficult to carry or manouva as weapon is so heavy. GENERAL PERPOUS MACHINE GUNS:: Developed after World War Two from the influence of the Germans MG42. Of medium calibre 7.62mm/.303, but not .50 calibre or small 5.56mm. A weapon light enough to be carried and fired by one man like a Light Machine Gun yet powerfull enough to be used as a Heavy Machine Gun. GPMG's phased out the use of different light and heavy machine guns as it can take on both roles. More like a medium machine gun but is more portable. Sometimes a second man can be useful to feed ammo if on a belt. This weapon can be used with a tri-pod or bipod depending on role required. Strangly in the last few years Armies have been returning back to the old way of having Light Machine guns like the minimi, medium machine gun role taken by the GPMG and bringing back heavy .50cal machine guns as the GPMG can be found to be a little bit too cumbersome as a light machine gun and not quite powerful enough as a heavy machine gun. Assault Rifles: The first assault rifle was developed at the end of WW2 by the germans and the world followed its design. Obviously rifle sized ammo 5.56mm, 7.62mm/.303 cal. With a rifle sized barrel. This weapon can fire on fully auto or semi-auto. If not capable of fully auto it is classed just as a rifle. However if an assault rifle has an extended barrel + a bipod it can be classed as a Light Machine Gun. Is that clear ?
 
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AlbanyRifles    RE:auto-rifle versus assault rifle-FK   9/9/2005 11:43:21 AM
I bow to you! You are the puddle of all knowledge! Actually thanks for getting me straight. I was always a little murky on how that all worked together, so drop it from my example. Now, do you want to argue whether it is rifle musket or rifled musket? :-) There is a difference!
 
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The Lizard King    RE:World's Best Machine Gun? - Caught Redhanded by Shek   9/9/2005 1:06:48 PM
"Are looking for a best machine gun thread or best assault rifle thread? It appears as if you don't know how to answer your own question." You caught me Shek; I started a thread than changed by original intent, midstream, without updating my original subject line and was unable to dig myself out. Please find it in your heart to forgive me for my misgivings.
 
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Ehran    RE:World's Best Machine Gun?   9/9/2005 1:09:08 PM
while albany is right another way to look at it is "is full auto a useful ability for this rifle?". if the cartridge is too powerful for full auto fire to be a reasonable tactical option then it should be considered an autorifle or battle rifle (my preferred term).
 
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shek    RE:World's Best Machine Gun? - Caught Redhanded by Shek   9/9/2005 1:21:26 PM
Sorry, I was a little cranky that morning. Building a retaining wall on your own doesn't make one happy.
 
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flamingknives    RE:World's Best Machine Gun? CATOGORIES   9/9/2005 2:32:58 PM
Assault Rifles: The first assault rifle was developed at the end of WW2 by the germans and the world followed its design. Obviously rifle sized ammo 5.56mm, 7.62mm/.303 cal. With a rifle sized barrel. This weapon can fire on fully auto or semi-auto. If not capable of fully auto it is classed just as a rifle. However if an assault rifle has an extended barrel + a bipod it can be classed as a Light Machine Gun. I always considered the definition of an assault rifle to be the use of intermediate power cartridges, eith reduced calibre (5.56 NATO) or shortened case (7.62 M43 - Kalashnikov). Use of full sized cartridges (in the region of .30 cal and case of more than 50mm is a rough guide) means that it's not an assault rifle. Some people would call it a battle rifle if it has a detachable magazine and is semi-automatic. I also tend to use a futher category, but it's by no means universal. Heavy Barreled Assault Rifle (HBAR): * In intermediate calibre * Adapted from an individual weapon (IW) * often fitted with a bipod * Fitted with a heavy barrel, often longer than a regular IW. * Magazine fed * Distinguished from a light machine gun by not having a quick change barrel. I tend to lump LMG versions of battle rifles in here too, as these are a comparable modifications where the battle rifle is the IW. Are we confused yet?
 
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AlbanyRifles    World's Best Machine Gun?    9/12/2005 10:36:19 AM
Let me make it simple and give my answer to the original question. The M2 HB .50 caliber machine gun. I LOVED the MA DEUCE!!
 
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hist_ed    back to the orig question   9/12/2005 1:00:55 PM
OK, thanks to all who helped clear up the machine gun vs assault rifle vs subamchine gun vs auto rifle (battle rifle? I still like big a$$ rifle to designate that category, but somehow I don't think it will catch on) Now back to work. THose of you who gaves us the lengthy criteria for each, please, in each category, what is the best? (I myself am curious about modern day stuff, but throw in the historical as well if you like).
 
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GOP    RE:World's Best Machine Gun?   9/12/2005 7:40:39 PM
I will go with the G36
 
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