Let's fix that little audio error
Comments (13)
I'm not sure corrugating the mags was a good idea to begin with, slightly thicker flat material would hold up better than the same amount of material in a corrugated mag with that small of corrugations, corrugation sacrifices strength in one direction for strength in the other, makes the material less springy if the ribs bends, it makes it a lot harder to fix the mags, and bending in either direction renders the mag inoperable. I would argue that the corrugation is in the worng directon to actually help, but that would cause the follower to bind, so no corrugation, or a couple big ribs seems like the best option here.
I'm afraid to see the FIRST attempted mags.
You can definitely tell Mae is NOT having a good time shooting this one.
Sometimes the experience is a joy, even if the actual device is not
I think when one considers that the American option to the Chauchat in either caliber was the LIGHTER M1917 rifle - arguably the best bolt action of the war (or possibly ever) the correct answer would have been to forget the Chauchat even existed. A disbanded CSRG squad all given bolt actions could lay down MUCH more fire than the same number of guys trying to run ONE Chauchat that's choking on 4 out of 10 rounds.
Perhaps, but planted, semi-auto shooting, from one skilled shooter often beats a bunch of bolt-running average Joes.
Another outstanding in-depth analysis. From my perspective, the issue is best summed up by stating that both the technology and doctrine of use were in their infancy. The designers worked toward specs shaped by unrealistic presumptions of use.....and then often modified to meet later peculiar requirements, such as being in 30-06. Given the urgency to get something in the field, I'd have to say that all concerned did about as well as could be expected. As for Pershing's decision to pass on the Lewis gun, I tend to give him the benefit of the doubt. With John Browning's latest wonder gun on the way (and in John Browning we all trust), and no major US troop engagement anticipated before Spring 1919, why not wait? Of course that wasn't Germany's plan and their Spring 1918 offensive pushed Pershing's schedule out the window.....which was their whole intent. The Chauchat was nothing more than a stop-gap measure for the US and as such, must be evaluated accordingly.
It's easy to snub old ideas as bad ideas instead of realizing few ideas start as good or bad and only time sorts them out.
@ timestamp 19:34 "$92.25; ah, I'd buy it." You say that now, but in equivalent money, that's $1683.88 in our sh!tastic modern FRN$ [based upon the outrageously optimistic CPI inflation index calculator, which the govt. uses to cook the books] vs. those lovely golden Saint-Gaudens dollars they used back in the day. And don't forget, back then a MG was just another firearm, no post-'86 Hughes Amendment buyer's premium, no post NFA '34 tax stamp to tack on! Yeah, I'd still buy one, knowing what I know now, just so I could add it to the registry for future generations... [sigh]
I'd still buy it
@ 11:20 -- OK, I see where all the problems come from: the U.S. ordered a light machine gun, but they got a SMG! [ba-DUM-bump! Thankyewww, thankyewww, I'll be here all week! Don't forget to tip your waitress. Try the veal!.. Yeah, I know: it's really a SM_C_, but that font they used for the safety markings is a stinker & the C looked like a G the 1st, 2nd..Nth & last time I looked at it!] ;-)
Looking forward to the next 100 episodes!
With your help!