So what happens when you shoot the receiver?

[WinchesterAA]

It might not happen too often, or the opportunities may not last for much time at all, but in an instance where you're perpendicular to your target, and your target is behind cover, but for whatever reason (ex not enough space, an incline or maybe just the only comfortable spot to be had), your targets supporting arm and portions of the receiver are sticking out from behind the wall.

Now, if you were a good shot, and there wasn't really anyone else you had to worry about, or you think that guy is about to take a shot at your friend, and the best thing you've got is a shot at his gun..


What's gunna happen, do you think? I mean, if you hit the magazine there's a good chance a puff of smoke might come out, might disorient the target for a bit, and consecutive shots past that point are going to be long delayed trying to get that mangled magazine out of the magwell, depending on where you hit it. If you hit the receiver portion that covers the feedlips of the mag, the force might kinda mesh the materials together like a rivet would do.


If you hit the trigger group, is it likely all the trama might result in a dropped hammer? Would it disable further use of that firearm?


On a bigger gun like the m2 or the mk19 grenade launcher, if you shoot the barrel is there a chance you could force a squib and preferably a blown barrel?

 

[Regig]

I read a story about a marine who got shot in the rifle, revealing the clip inside. when he fired it at a german, it burst in half. I wouldn't be surprised if it knocks them to the ground or knocks the weapon from their hands.

 

[PAshooter]

I read a story about a marine who got shot in the rifle, revealing the clip inside. when he fired it at a german, it burst in half. I wouldn't be surprised if it knocks them to the ground or knocks the weapon from their hands.

From The Guns of D-Day article in the most recent American Rifleman. IIRC it was a Garand, and a single (lucky) shot to the receiver disabled the rifle.

Not sure I'd try that on purpose, though. The chance of success is pretty small.

 

[Archie]

Shooting the Receiver?

Fifteen yards and recovery of down.

(Someone had to say it.)

A bullet in general delivers a pretty strong blow. Depending on the strength of the receiver - stamped, cast or forged - a particular bullet may or may not cause a deformation in the receiver. I think a shot to the receiver would be more likely to result in a non functional weapon than a shot to the barrel or stock.

If the receiver is damaged - bent, deformed, perforated or other - likely the weapon will not operate properly. However, that weapon may fire the round chambered even if it no further functions.

In the circumstances you posit, the only shot one can get is the best shot. As to the results, it depends; too many variables in terms of cartridge power level, strength of receiver and location of hit.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Someone said in the infamous Hollywood shootout that a 9mm pistol round jammed the reciever of the HK91 that was being used by the bad guys.

Box of truth also shot some loaded magazines from AK's and AR's. Both burst, smoked and spilled live rounds and charred powder all over the place. You wouldn't want to be hanging onto either when they were hit.

 

[Black Dime]

http://splodetv.com/amazing-sniper-shot

 

[JWF III]

Shooting the Receiver?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fifteen yards and recovery of down.

On the same note, I'd have to say we need to wait and see what happens with Plaxico.

Wyman

 

[mcdonl]

good one jwf...

 

[John Wayne]

Depends on the rifle.

A AR-15 hit with a 220 gr. .30-06 AP (or even FMJ)round square in the receiver is almost certainly down for the count.

A Mosin-Nagant hit with a 115 gr. 9mm JHP? Not so much.

 

[orionengnr]

Depends on the rifle.
A AR-15 hit with a 220 gr. .30-06 AP (or even FMJ)round square in the receiver is almost certainly down for the count.
A Mosin-Nagant hit with a 115 gr. 9mm JHP? Not so much.

Just to be fair, how about the Mosin hit with a 30-06 or an AR hit with a 9mm?

 

[jerkface11]

Lucky for the Marine you mean. I'd rather be shot in the gun than be shot in the me.

That's what I was thinking.

 

[WinchesterAA]

It'd be nice to have tests with various calibers on various receivers, but I suspect a moderate cartridge would do adequate damage to a receiver to render it non-functional. So, if that's all you've got, it's better than nothing.


I would like to see this feature accurately modeled in a video game.


ETA - I wonder how well a bullet would perform after it was shot out of different flash suppressors that had been shot or otherwise severely abused.

 

[IndianaBoy]

I am a fan of the AR platform but I have to admit that I think a 9mm round to my upper receiver would probably put it out of commission.

A rifle round would for certain.

 

[kd7nqb]

So I instantly thought of that video that Black dime posted.

The proper answer is that if you shot my mosin with an 9mm nothing would happen other than it would anger its inner Russian. Other than that I have nothing constructive for the thread.

 

[John Wayne]

Just to be fair, how about the Mosin hit with a 30-06 or an AR hit with a 9mm?

I would expect an AR to be disabled by just about any solid hit from any centerfire rifle round and most intermediate pistol rounds. Nothing against the platform; it was designed to shoot bullets, not stop them.

I'd expect other guns with aluminum receivers to fare similarly. Polymer receivers, like on the Sub 2000, would almost certainly not function.

The Mosin vs. a .30-06? Eh, I don't know...would depend on where it's hit. A glancing shot to the chamber probably wouldn't do much, a solid hit to the bolt could break or obstruct the firing pin.

 

[distra]

I expect the shot would likely hit their hand resulting in a dropped weapon. Threat would be neutralized at that point. With any luck the shooter would be incapacitated. The tough part is getting the shooter to hold still why you aim at his/her firearm.

 

[Tiomoid]

http://splodetv.com/amazing-sniper-shot

Good posting, I was on my way to google that when I saw your reply.

 

[Sunray]

You'd have to be an exceptionally good shot to hit the rifle and miss the guy. However, a bullet will put a very decidely big dent in a receiver, causing it to stop working instantly and the shooter will be traumatised if not seriously wounded.

 

[Hostile Amish]

If the cover he was hiding behind was, say, drywall, I would put some rounds into the place where I know his body is.

If I couldn't for other reasons, yes, I would put a few rounds into his gun.

 

[alemonkey]

gunsnammo.com had an M39 Mosin for sale a while back that had a bullet strike on the top of the receiver. It was still function, but it took a nice chunk out of it.

 

[ChCx2744]

If the target was behind COVER (NOT CONCEALMENT) and the only VISIBLE and "HIT-ABLE" thing in sight was a portion of the fore-end of his gun (rifle/pistol), I'd say go for it, depending on how much ammo you have to spare. If you are engaging them with moderate/low ammo, I'd say wait till he pops a part of his body back out to engage them or at least try to get away/get closer for a better shot or for you to get to a more tactical advantage. If you are an ace with the gun YOU are using and are COMFTORABLE taking that shot (bear in mind that during a shootout, you are not going to be as composed as you are on a shooting range firing line), then by all means go for it. A bullet flies at a pretty high rate and that gun probably won't work right if you hit the barrel/reciever/slide...

 

[fingerbanger]

I don't know I think I would still be inclined to go for the exposed supporting arm. yes no question the weapon may be dissabled if you hit the receiver perfectly, but if I 'm that good a shot, wrist or elbow seem appealing to me.

 

[hardluk1]

A bunch of years back there was a video on the news of some nut case setting in a chair in the middle of a street with a pistol and eventualy a sniper shot the pistol out of his hand and broke it, did not hurt the nut case . He picked the gun back up and looked at it and threw it down just before the cops jumped him. Don't know if it was a 223 or 308 rifle used to kill the revolver.

 

[ijosef]

There was a robbery in a Cafe in Saint Paul, MN a few years ago where the perp was shot by an off duty cop. The cop pulled his Glock chambered in .40S&W and shot the gun right out of the perp's hand, then put one in his face. The bullet entered his cheek and exited out the other side. The guy ran away but there was plenty of blood and a few teeth left at the scene.

 

[sniper5]

When you shoot the receiver? Isn't it a 5 yard penalty and you lose possession of the ball?