Automatic firearms--what's the draw?

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John828

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After reading one of the "If Heller goes this way, what would you do..." threads and many of the "What are you buying to prepare for November" threads, I was wondering what the deal is with automatic firearms. What's the allure?

I love guns, love shooting, can defend myself if needed (hopefully,) love to hunt, punch paper, go to gun shows, etc., etc. But fully automatic firearms never really drew my interest.

Just wondering why others are interested in them.
 
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I'm not drawn to them, either, but it isn't difficult to imagine why others would be. I've never fired one myself, but I have to imagine they're a lot of fun to shoot. It must be awfully satisfying to sling that much metal down range (until you start thinking about how much it's costing you)...

Isn't that sort of like asking why people like powerful cars?
 
So, its just the ability to unload a thousand rounds in a short amount of time?

What is being shot? Junked vehicles? I could see some fun in that.
 
Isn't that sort of like asking why people like powerful cars?
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Yes, it is; but, this isn't a car forum and I am genuinely interested in finding out what the draw is.
 
In basic training I shot an M16A1 in full auto at stationary targets, but most fun was M60 at a group of silhouettes moving around on a track several hundred yards away. Night fire was pretty cool too with tracers.
 
There are a lot of fine designs, that were meant to be as is - select fire. When neutered down to semi only, if ever, it was altering the design and thus neutering it down (what's the point of semi-auto beltfed?).

Like fast cars - you don't need the power, or volume of fire, all the time, but when you do need or want it you have it. I guess it comes down to free choice, not having a Big Brother telling you what's best for you or what is safe to play with. Sometimes I think people took Orwell's 1984 as a training manual...

I like select fire or full-auto weapons, though I rarely use the ability, as aimed rapid single shots will suffice.
 
I never thought I'd own a MG either, even after shooting one. Then I got my first silencer, it's a gateway product to all the other NFA toys. I wish I would have done both many years ago. I went with a SMG (M11/9) for both controllability & ammo costs. The cool & fun factors are definitely part of the equation. The limited access to NFA goods also tends to increase the "special club" appeal.

th_Tact_Bolt.jpg
 
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Say this out loud. If you don't crack a smile, you're not human.

"Fully automatic belt-fed grenade launcher".

Did you smile? There's your answer.
 
I smiled, but mainly because I was already laughing at Kingtiger's gateway comment about a silencer being a gateway product. (I instantly had in my mind a picture of an anti's argument using cigarettes as a gateway drug as an anology.)
 
Ummmmmmm. Mark 19 fun. ^^^^^^


When being used for sport or training, Machine guns are just fun to shoot.
 
A friend of mine has a few full auto weapons and I have had occasion to try them out. They are a hoot but I have no desire to spend a lot of time shooting them and would not be interested in owning one. I don't know why, they just don't get me excited (but you are right, they do make you smile:)).

If someone (like my friend) wants to own one, more power to them. My personal opinion is that any law-abiding citizen who wants to own a fully automatic weapon should be able to do so.
 
They are just a lot of fun to shoot.
One time I got to open up on an old 60 series tank with an M-60 machine gun when I was at Fort Leonard Wood.
Although I know a 7.62x51 won't do any damage to a tank, it was like shooting a huge gong. I could fire a burst, wait a second, then see and hear my shots hitting home. A tracer got caught in one of the tracks and burned like a little mini flare.
It's also just an unbelieveable amount of fun to shoot at pop-up targets with them. I've done that a few times with the M-240B and the M2HB - both were awesome!
If you haven't ever shot full automatics it might be difficult to understand. It really is something you'll probably have to try yourself.

About the only ones I'd want to buy if MG's were as easily bought as a Mossberg 500 would be an M-240B and a 9mm Mini Uzi with a suppressor. I think the Uzi would make a great home defense weapon.
 
To answer that question just go to a machine gun shoot. Seeing a line of half a dozen M-2's blasting away is something. FEELING it pound your innards is another. You can see the pressure waves blow through the dust cloud. Pretty awesome.

Of course, I wasn't having to pay for it. Personally, I'd rather have a mountain howitzer.
 
they are terrific fun to shoot.
wouldn't want to own one though complete money pig
sustained fire with an FN MAG (gpmg)50 to 100 round bursts out to 2k
 
This is plinking on steroids.
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That's about right.

I'd be most interested in a .22LR that's easy to load. Not all that interested in, say, a full-auto .308.:)

And I might get bored with it fast. But like a lot of toys, until you are bored with them, they're intriguing.
 
I've shot them and the appeal is that they are a great deal of fun (as long as the thought of the cost doesn't spoil it for you;)).
 
Just wondering why others are interested in them.
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Have you ever fired one? If so, you'd understand. I love shooting FA's even if it is ridiculously expensive.

The sports car analogy is very accurate. No one really needs a 400hp Z06 Corvette, but they sure are a lot of fun.
 
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