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open bolt vs. closed bolt

3 weelin geezer3 weelin geezer Member Posts: 19 ✭✭
edited April 2004 in Ask the Experts
What does this mean? How is it easier to make a machine gun with one of these?
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Comments

  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The names are self explainatory. Closes bolts fire from that position, openbolts run forward when the trigger is pulled to fire.

    The Feds decreed that open bolts are personna non grata and stopped production and importation of all of them.

    You can guess the reason why.

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  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,492 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    3 weelin geezer, you can't make a machinegun out of either unless you are a Licensed Class 2 manufacturer.
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  • 11echo11echo Member Posts: 1,008 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Open bolt position indicates the bolt of the weapon stays open. When you fire a weapon like this the bolt has to cycle closed, and doing so picks up a new round. Normally these types of weapons have a fixed firing pin or the inertia type pin. The reason for the open bolt position is for cooling. Theoretically if the barrel got too hot and a live round was chambered in it, you could experience a "cook off" Hence the open bolt position. A M3 grease gun comes to mind here, I got to play with one of these in the Army. A classic open bolt type of operation.
    Close bolt it just the opposite of this, M16, M14, G3, & etc. If you'll notice all weapons that are true machine guns normally are open bolt design. Those that have a "duo" role (act both as a rifle & machine gun) are of the close bolt design. ...Mark

    "FEAR the Goverment, that fears your ARMS"
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  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    one of dangers of open bolt is if the bullet does not fire and you pull back the slide w/o dropping the mag, if it doesnt catch it will strip off another round and go forward towards battery. if that fixed firing pin hits the back of the unchambered round when it stops forward movement becasue of the jam, boom. cook off in the open chamber. anyone shooting m-60s will understand what im trying to say. and as for our poster...may i strongly suggest not to fool with something you are new to until you have been in the company of professional class 3 owners who know the danger spots by heart. class 3 guns are not to be toyed with. they were made difficult to own for a reason. the average joe not only can do damage in crime with one, but knukleheads can kill themselves from ignorance and lack of knowledge or theory basics. the average gun doesnt get hot enough to cook off rounds. class 3's do. runway guns are not for the faint at heart. the average gun doesnt melt bbls. class 3's do. knowing the service life of a gun part is critical and if one goes undocumented, it could be disasterous. i can talk, i maintained guns in specops. i hope others will pipe in and support me on this.

    former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.
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  • timinpatiminpa Member Posts: 2,250 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm by no means an expert here, but i do have some experience with full auto guns or class III's and i have to agree with bobski 100%. I might also add that owning certain types of guns that can accept an open bolt (even if they fire closed bolt)and then buying the open bolt, without BATF approval is a felony 10 years and $10,000 fine.

    TIM
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  • TaiChiTaiChi Member Posts: 179 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The MAC 10 and MAC 11 are the prime examples of the open bolt type of firearms. In the machine gun configuration they were a cheap to make and fairly relaible automatic weapon. Designed for the resistance fighter they were made in large quantities to be dropped behind enemy lines. When MAC looked to the civilan market they simply removed the selector lever and linkage and made it a semi only. The more resourceful individuals found that inserting a wedge behind the trigger created a machine gun. ATF stepped in and encourged MAC and others not to use the open bolt style.
    11echo described the firing mechanism. In a semi auto mode the massive bolt sliding forward makes for a very inaccurate firearm.


    Steve
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  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,168 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    I learned something. I never knew exactly what the terms meant.

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