Semi auto belt feds are “dumb”

Well, semi auto belt feds are dumb.

I own a Kahr M1A1 Thompson "semiautomatic carbine."

Guess what?


IT'S DUMB.

I mean, it LOOKS like the WW2 Thompson. Wait, it has a 16" barrel, not a 10.5" barrel. It does not have the "happy switch."

It's been neutered!!!!!

Hey, it's a cool range toy!!

Hey ....maybe the semi auto belt fed might be, too!

because...semi-auto belt feds are dumb...in practice.

but for historical value to a collection they are cool

But if you think they are cool...you do you!

Some of us are lazy dont like reloading. But seriously what ever floats your boat. Different folks like different things. I love my Glock. Others think it is combat Tupperware.

Oh I dunno'.
Someday they might be a thing 'or three ta' have!

Somebody:

Walkingfunk said:

Semi auto belt feds are “dumb”

Click to expand...

Me: "you're dumb." LOL



if it floats your boat, I say go for it. If nothing else its fun.

I think that if you want to spend your money on what you want, who am I to question it? And honestly, it’s really none of my business.
It seems that some people just aren’t happy unless they’re unhappy about something they have nothing to do with.

Should have jumped on the "unpopular" stuff thread.

I would like to shoot one would be fun but I would not want to buy one. Just wouldn't shoot much I thank it would be to cumbersome at the range and its only a semi auto.

If it were a decent replica, built on a semi-auto only receiver, but using as many parts from an actual military issue gun as possible it would have some historical interest, at least more than a non firing replica or dummy.

But, as a weapon, dumb. However, possession of guns as curios and ornaments is a traditional and lawful reason to own firearms, among other reasons.

I find them dumb as well as fully automatic belt fed arms. I say this in the context of individual ownership. (They are pretty useful in a military use context)

Primarily, they serve no real function. Amusement? A .22 lr rifle or handgun is more amusing. Being 'first on my block' faded about the time I was twenty-five.

Please understand, I'm not dumping on them, I just see no purpose in owning one. Nor do I think they should be banned, limited or other; more automobiles (the cheap and disposable sort) are used in crimes of any category than belt-fed arms.

Oh I don't know....I think of them like a 4 cylinder Mustang. Not really the same thing but it kinda sorta get you close. Come to think of it...belt fed semi auto probably makes more sense than a 4 cylinder Mustang.....
But its an interesting action, and if the mechanics of a system like that are appealing, hey, go for it

The primary appeal of belt-fed semis is to serious collectors of military arms. Who else is going to drop $8,000 on an FN M249S? We can thank the Hughes Amendment for that. Otherwise, those would be real machine guns for $8,000. (And, BTW, this has nothing to do with actually shooting them.)

I myself am guilty of dropping $4,000 (twice!) on semiautomatic BARs. And they remain unfired. (I could probably sell them for more than I paid.)

AlexanderA said:

they remain unfired. (I could probably sell them for more than I paid.)

Click to expand...

And if you bought them sometime ago you would probably be losing money considering the value of today's dollar unless you sold them for a lot more than you paid.

Yes, they are dumb. That doesn't stop me from wanting one. Or maybe two.

Dumb.....but interesting!

I like this one though

Belt fed seems like it’d be more of a burden than just using a regular magazine. I can’t really think of any advantage and loading up the ammo would be a pain. I wouldn’t be opposed to owning one, I just can’t think of any good reason why I’d buy one.

FWIW I had to look up what rpk and rpd meant.

Well, some will buy somethimg just for the cool factor even though it has little practical use to them. I remember seeing a Bowie knife bayonet on a compact pistol. Talk about dumb! Anyway most of us will not be needing to lay down a long burst of suppressive fire anytime soon but the grin factor when holding the trigger back through a couple hundred rounds is awesome.

Those guns are meant to mimic full auto machine guns. Most belt fed machine guns don't even have a semi option, fire from the open bolt (to prevent cook-offs), and have a quick change barrel to mitigate overheating issues in sustained fire, with a few exceptions. Rifles with a full auto option are generally designed to be used primarily in the semi auto mode. They fire from the closed bolt, enhancing accuracy. Most "legacy" SMG's fire from the open bolt . Some have a semi option, others don't. Modern SMG's like the MP5, FNP90, HKMP7, and various SMG versions of the AR fire from the closed bolt to enhance accuracy, and in modern training and tactics, are almost always used in the semi auto mode. Some have restricted burst options. Those are the basic design concepts of military weapons. But if someone wants to own/use a semi belt fed, have at it.

As area-fire weapons, MG designs which the semis can mostly closely mimic, such as the Colt/Browning design, which fires from a closed bolt anyway, are not going to be all that accurate - they don't have to be, indeed it is somewhat undesirable if they are, so they are largely just noisemakers at the target end. Belt-feds which don't fire off an open bolt - well, you're already moving away from the concept that you're ostensibly imitating and getting the design to work can be a problem.

bersaguy said:

Oh I don't know....I think of them like a 4 cylinder Mustang. Not really the same thing but it kinda sorta get you close. Come to think of it...belt fed semi auto probably makes more sense than a 4 cylinder Mustang.....
But its an interesting action, and if the mechanics of a system like that are appealing, hey, go for it

Click to expand...

Unless its a 1984-1986 SVO mustang- 2.3 liter inline 4 with turbocharger = 200- 205 HP, 210-240 lbs. torque! - Just sayin'.

Does not matter, in a free country, where one spends ones currency. The guy with belt fed semi might drive a GTO while the guy with an NFA weapon might drive a VW bug.
Both guys are right! God bless Americans!