[Higgins]

I wasn't sure where to post this question, but here goes . . .

Anyone know of any weapons design in which the chamber is separate from the rest of the barrel such that the chamber moves or "floats" in relation to the barrel or vice-versa? I'm talking any design from artillary to machine guns to rifles to pistols - anything?

Now, I'm already familiar with the so called "floating chamber" designed by "Carbine" Williams, which I believe was meant to make a .22 feel like a larger caliber with respect to reoil for training. I'm not interested in that.

Any other leads would be appreciated, though. Thanks.

[Badger Arms]

I think that the Ace conversion kit for the 1911 pistol used this type of system. It allows the 22lr cartridge to act as a piston more efficiently than the current blowback method where the cartridge itself is the piston. Functional, yes, but more complicated and finicky than if you just designed the blowback system properly.

Artillery? Why? Handling large shells is better done by a separate mechanism or soldiers.

[ShaiVong]

I think my grandpappies old browning semi auto 12ga had a springloaded barrel or something. I know it wasnt fixed tight to the receiver. If memory serves.:confused:

[W.Va.Glassman]

The Remington mod. 550 22s-auto has a floating chamber will shoot shorts.longs,&long rifle.

[Badger Arms]

Is it difficult to clean?

[Jim Watson]

Winchester Model 50 shotgun has a separate chamber that recoils internal to the barrel and receiver. Also the mechanically similar Model 59 with the trick fiberglass barrel. I don't know of anything else but the .22s already mentioned.

[Handy]

I imagine such a system would be unworkable with high pressure ammo. The chamber to barrel junction would break the gas seal early in the cycle, killing velocity. Also, where would the gas go? Around the chamber and into the action. The gun would not fire more than a few times before the fouling would prevent the barrel and chamber from seating against each other.

I can imagine what you were thinking: fixed barrel for accuracy, floating chamber for simple recoil style cycling. I had thought about it awhile back and concluded it wouldn't work, or work well.