Shot machine guns for the first time (MP-5 and Thompson observations)

[natedog]

I went to Las Vegas Firearms Center, and rented not one, but two machine guns. An HK MP-5K 9mm and a Thompson M1A1. It was expensive ($100) for 2 magazines through each, but it was worth it. I preferred the MP-5K for sure, it was lighter, more compact, more controllable, had better sites, higher ROF, and had better ergonomics. I shot it better, too. 99 hits out of 100 shots total with both of them. Despite all this, the Thompson (aka Tommy Gun) was higher on the cool factor. I can't explain it, it didn't have tactical lights, lasers, stocks, or doohickeys. Heck, it even had wood stocks. Something about holding a 10 pound .45ACP SMG that had seen action in WWII (Lend-Lease). It made a really cool noise. CHUG-BANG-CHUG-BANG-CHUG-BANG *tinkle* tinkle* tinkle* . The guys in the shop were cool, too. I handled almost all of the guns they had available, from the SP-89, to the suppressed Macs, to the American 180. They were impressed that I was able to identify some of the rarer SMGs (American 180 and Swedish K), and they took me to "the back room" and showed me their private collection, and I finally got to fondle all the EBRs that I've only been able to dream about in CA, like a HK-91, FAL, various AR-15s (the SP-1 was my favorite), AR-180, and AK clones.

Man, I'm still smiling from that!

 

[natedog]

Had too add:

Now that I've put 100 rounds through a couple of machine guns, that obviously qualifies me as an expert .

Anyways, I'd say that although I could keep all shots on the torso at 10 yards with the MP-5K while firing bursts, at 25 yards I could make hits faster and more accuratly with semi-auto fire. The MP-5K is not much longer than a standard 9mm handgun, and with the stock extended it's much more accurate and easier to shoot. A SBR'd SP-89 with a folding stock could make a very slick HD weapon.

The open bolt on the Thomspon made accurate single shots difficult, but didn't inhibit accuracy in burst-firing at all. The stock was a bit low for a consistent cheeck weld.

 

[boofus]

Now you just need to move out of that marxist cesspool so you can own one for yourself. Shooting rented MGs is fun, but shooting your own MG is a completely different feeling.

 

[Sactown]

I was in Vegas a coupla weeks ago and went to The Gun Store and rented a M249, MP-5, and Thompson. The M249 was the most fun by far. The MP-5 was surprisingly mild on recoil and very easy to keep on target. The Thompson at the Gun Store looked like it's been through hell. Pretty beat up. The employee that went with us kept his finger under the mag so it wouldn't drop out. the metal butt place kept slipping off my shoulder. The Thompson was lots of fun to shoot. The M249 was the highlight of the shoot. We could only shoot off the bench with the bipod. The gun hardly recoils and the recoil there is goes straight back. The gun sorta jumps around, but still stays on the target. What was disappointing was the distance of the range. All the machine guns were fired at maybe 10 yards. Really really close. I guess that makes teh tourists happy when they see the holes. Cost for the 249 was around $35 for 40rnds. If you go with buddies, rent different guns and shoot a mag out of each gun to try as many as possible. I fun experience that makes me hate the crap that goes on in Kaili even more.

 

[El Tejon]

Anyone else tearing up?

 

[MrMurphy]

I put 200+ through an M249 for free (Thank you Fort Knox!) and all it did was rattle and vibrate. All the little green Ivans downrange died satisfactorily from 50 to 200 yards.


The Thompson is a lot of fun, and it's easy to hit with if you use short bursts, proper stance and some practice (same with the MP5). I've shot the MP5 SD, the A3 and the PDW models and they're all easy to hit with. It's the premier submachine gun in the world for a reason.

The Uzi just feels right in the hand, and with proper stance is easy to nail stuff at 50 yards with. You can hit at 100 on auto, but it takes some work.

I got to shoot a 10 round burst from a MP40 (Schmeisser) converted to blank fire for WW2 re-enactment.. Two short five rounds bursts, one with stock, the other Indiana Jones style (point and squeeze). Sweeet. The Germans sure do know how to make 9mm SMGs. While the MP5 is great I sure wouldn't mind an MP40 for close range work either.

The M60 is very easy to control but reliability can be a problem especially with the older ones. The newer M240 (the designs not new, circa 1958, but our model is) is also very very easy to control according to all the people I know who've shot one or the Brit GPMG or MAG (same basic gun).

 

[Gunrunner]

Back in the late 1980's I knew a guy that dealt with renting full autos to the movie industry. Me and some buddies got to go shooting with him one time, and he brought lot's of toys. My favorite was the HK-51 (308, short barrel, looks like an MP-5 on steroids). Easy to control and make hits with. Also shot the MP-5, M-16, Uzi, Mini-Uzi and Micro-Uzi. I didn't care much for the Micro-Uzi, because the rate of fire was so fast that as soon as I touched the trigger the 32 round mag would empty. Needless to say we had a great time and went through a heck of a lot of ammo.

 

[MAURICE]

I rented an MP5 for my birthday a couple of weeks ago, and I believe it is the most fun you can have with clothes on. Light recoil, easy to control, accurate. And nothing compares with the buzz of rounds going downrange.
Now I want one. Only problem is the price tag.

 

[The_Antibubba]

I remember renting an MP-5 in Vegas

Hehhehhehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehhehhehhehheh.


Cool.



Heheheheheheheheheheheheheh.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I've gone lots of full auto shoooting, and all it has done was reenforce my conviction that full auto has no place in a non crew served weapon, unless the aim is to have fun and waste ammo.

 

[M16]

Yep, boofus is right. Nothing like owning your own. Here is a picture of a couple of mine that I get to shoot whenever I want.

 

[Edmond]

I wish we had something like that in Illinois where we could rent MP5's. Everyone I ask who has shot an MP5 gets a big on their face when I ask them how it was.

 

[boofus]

It isn't a MP5 but it's still fun. I got the new upper yesterday and shot about 300 rounds through it today to break it in. I had jams galore at first but then I went crazy with the CLP and dunked the whole upper in it. Worked flawlessly after that.

M16: wanna trade?

 

[MAKOwner]

Good grief what they charge to rent out there is crazy. I spent like $35 and got to shoot all the ammo I brought through a full auto at a local indoor range here in Georgia. They had a Uzi, full auto 10/22, a MP5, and a Colt 9mm AR as well as the PPSH41 copy in .22lr that I rented. Standard 50 yard indoor range too. Last time I checked you brought your own ammo and just rented the gun for around $35 still and the range fee for your time and went at it. I put around 500rnds through the PPSH, talk about fun with a 50 rnd drum mag.... Jammed a decent bit though... I keep meaning to buy a half case of cheap 9mm and go back for the Uzi or Mp5...

 

[SoCalGeek]

M16-- I hate you.


-Alex

 

[Chut1st]

"I spent like $35 and got to shoot all the ammo I brought through a full auto at a local indoor range here in Georgia."

Hey, MAKOwner, where's this range? Sounds like I need to load up some ammo boxes and make a road trip!

 

[MAKOwner]

This should be the correct one. It was around 2-3 years ago that I rented, so they may have increased prices or changed something around, give em a call first. Can't believe I haven't been back for that long...

Bull'seye Indoor Shooting Range
221 West Crogan
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
770-963-6556