Anyone else see NG show on machine gun?

[Dr. Dickie]

I just caught the end, where they introduced the tommy gun (of course only gangsters used them). Apparently they traced the machine gun from Gatlings introduction, to the modern electric Gatling guns used on the A6 gunships.
I did not know that Gatling added an electric motor to his way back when, but I swear that is what they said.
Was impresses ed that National Geographic would even have a (mostly) positive story about guns! Showed a guy who worked for Colt, demonstrate that the M-14 on auto was out of control, but an M-16 got hits (they talked about 500 yards, but I do not think it was really that far--they never showed the actual distance).

 

[LaEscopeta]

I saw bits and pieces of it (in between chores etc.) I also saw the “guy who worked for Colt, demonstrate that the M-14 on auto was out of control, but an M-16 got hits…” part. I think what they showed/talked about was positive and factually correct (at least it matched what I already knew) but they skipped a lot. Like they did not talk about other select fire rifle attempts before the M-14 (German ones ending with the StG 44, the FAL, etc.)

I liked the demo they did with civil war re-enactors, a rifle company vs. a Gatling gun. I don’t remember the numbers, but the Gatling gun got more hits on target then the rifle men. But the guys with the rifles only got off 3 shots in a minute. I think I’ve read Frederick the Great’s men averaged more than 4 shots a minute using flint locks in the late 1700s. I’m guessing guys with more practice firing their muzzle loaders would have made it a closer contest, but I’m thinking the Gatling would still win.

 

[mpmarty]

The M14 is not and never was meant to be an Assault Rifle. Hits with the M14 were not only easy at 500 yards but what you hit knew it had been shot. The M14 in full auto was not meant to be used for long distance shots offhand. There was a bipod and butt plate "hook" that was used and the M14 served very nicely as a lightweight replacment for the M1918 BAR with the same magazine capacity and greater mobility. The wimps and REMFs killed the full power cartridge and with it our last battle rifle. Isn't it strange that they still issue M14s to certain combat troops?

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

I saw the program, and like most other shows it was OK, but nothing special.

Was impresses ed that National Geographic would even have a (mostly) positive story about guns!

I don't understand the fetish many THR'ers have for saying that there are always negative portrayals of firearms in mass media. While this may be true in fictional television, non-fiction television like the History Channel and the NG channel often have unbiased portrayals of firearms and firearm history.

Regardless of that, my favorite thing about this recent show was the goofy British guy that would occasionally pop up on the screen crawling on the ground with binoculars for absolutely no reason.