靶場出租的 MP40 給我的第一印象是歷經滄桑．不過超過一甲子以前生產的槍，又經過戰火洗禮和靶場槍客摧殘，還打得響已經不錯．接過槍我原本以為應該用左手握住彈匣進口，但是靶場教練說因為此槍磨損嚴重，射擊時碰觸彈匣的話容易卡彈，所以要我像一般步槍一樣扶著槍身．後來發現這個姿勢較不自然，兩手前後太過於接近也不容易控制全自動射擊．
MP40 的缺口式照門打過德軍老槍者都不陌生．由於靶紙只掛在區區七碼外，我沒留意照門射距位置就開打．這是我第一次使用開膛擊發的槍枝，感覺上扣下扳機到子彈射出的反應時間較長．另一個特點是可以明顯感受到槍機的前後活動．看技術資料 MP40 有一分鐘 500 發的射速，實際操作時感覺沒這麼快，每發子彈上膛擊發的過程都分的清楚．只要有點射擊經驗想控制N發點放並不困難，經過練習打單發應該都可做到．
精度而言 MP40 先天設計就不強調這一點，後天條件槍枝狀況加上持槍姿勢不佳而更加不利．雖然 9mm 子彈後座力不算大， 我三發點放勉強可以爆頭，打五六發以上就難以控制．最後一兩梭打爽的更是因為靶紙被槍口氣體吹動，彈孔到處都是．雖說如此還是可以體會 MP40 具有旺盛火力， 短兵相接時對敵軍而言是個可怕的武器．
2008年1月19日 星期六
2008年1月16日 星期三
What happens in Vegas ...
... doesn't always have to stay in Vegas, does it?
Sorry for writing this in English. I'm using a company laptop that doesn't have Chinese IME.
Anyway, I've planned two range trips within a month, and both were blown by my boss sending me here to Vegas on Friday. Fortunately, I did get some time off Sunday afternoon, and promptly drove downtown to get some full auto fun.
The hotel I am staying has fliers for two gun shops. I've read about The Gun Store being a bit pricey, but the other store is not open on Sundays, so that was my only choice. It wasn't too hard to find, just about 3 miles from the Strip, but I don't know if there is a way to get there without our own car or taxi.
The place is full of NFA toys and all sorts of handguns for rental, but who cares about the latter? I took a quick browse on the wall, and decided on comparing two generations of German machinepistols - MP40 and MP5. The price for each is the same - $40 for 50 rounds, $65 for 100 rounds. The price also covers range usage, full-time coach, and eye/ear protection. I was just gonna blast 50 rounds each, but the all-American cutie behind the counter convinced me that going for 100 rounds is a much better deal. I also picked up two targets because I forgot to bring some technical documents from work to shoot.
After a short wait, my coach walked me inside the range. He is nice and friendly, just as one might expect in a tourist establishment. The first thing he asked was whether I've done any shooting before. I told me I'm fairly familiar with semi-autos, but have not shot full-auto before. That was probably enough to skip the beginner's safety lecture, but he still wouldn't let me load the guns until showing it to me once.
The first gun he got me was the MP5. It feels smaller but heavier than I'd expect. I planned to shoot a couple of rounds in semi first just to get the feel, but the coach placed the selector in full happiness and told me to try 3 round bursts first. With the target at about 7 yards, aimed head shots were too easy. The difficulty of doing controlled 3-round bursts was not as much as I imagined. Of course, a big part of it comes from the MP5 itself, as I would realize later.
During the shoot, the coach controlled my pace. After finishing the first magazine of 25 rounds in short bursts, he then told me to aim at the center of mass and do longer, 6~8 round bursts. That's when controllability becomes an issue. In my first couple of long bursts, I did not shoulder the weapon properly and it started slipping. Even with proper position and posture, it was no longer possible to get the same tight groups as 3-round bursts.
The real rock 'n roll happened on my last magazine, when the coach told me to open up. I think I managed to keep all the rounds within the silhouette, but that's about it. I can clearly see why real operators don't open up in most tactical situations.
Even though the MP5 was well-used, the MP40 they have felt like a clunker in comparison. The coach told me to place my support hand between the magwell and the trigger, instead of holding the magazine like I saw in movies. He said that the gun would jam if I do that.
This MP40 is my first-ever experience with a gun that fires with bolt open. The coach run me through the same regimen, also with 4 magazines. Despite having gotten my feet wet with automatic weapons, I shot worse with the MP40. Head shots at the same distance was iffy. I could feel the bolt moving back and forth, and that undoubtedly affected accuracy to an extent. The rate of fire was also perceivably slower than the MP5.
It is not really fair to compare two firearms designed and made decades apart, but I think the MP5 is a much better gun. Superior bolt design gave the MP5 better accuracy and controllability. Better ergonomics did not hurt either. Having said so, I can see that MP40 did exactly what it was made to do - spraying bullets - and did it rather well. By the way, the keyholes were formed when the target paper was folded by the muzzle blast.
With a long line of shooters waiting, I did not get to slow down and enjoy the moment. However, the coach was nice enough to let me pose and take a few photos. I suppose that's part of the package. It was fun while it lasted, but that was like burning dollar bills for fun. Unless my company gives me a hefty bonus this year, I don't think I can afford to do this often.
Sorry for writing this in English. I'm using a company laptop that doesn't have Chinese IME.
Anyway, I've planned two range trips within a month, and both were blown by my boss sending me here to Vegas on Friday. Fortunately, I did get some time off Sunday afternoon, and promptly drove downtown to get some full auto fun.
The hotel I am staying has fliers for two gun shops. I've read about The Gun Store being a bit pricey, but the other store is not open on Sundays, so that was my only choice. It wasn't too hard to find, just about 3 miles from the Strip, but I don't know if there is a way to get there without our own car or taxi.
The place is full of NFA toys and all sorts of handguns for rental, but who cares about the latter? I took a quick browse on the wall, and decided on comparing two generations of German machinepistols - MP40 and MP5. The price for each is the same - $40 for 50 rounds, $65 for 100 rounds. The price also covers range usage, full-time coach, and eye/ear protection. I was just gonna blast 50 rounds each, but the all-American cutie behind the counter convinced me that going for 100 rounds is a much better deal. I also picked up two targets because I forgot to bring some technical documents from work to shoot.
After a short wait, my coach walked me inside the range. He is nice and friendly, just as one might expect in a tourist establishment. The first thing he asked was whether I've done any shooting before. I told me I'm fairly familiar with semi-autos, but have not shot full-auto before. That was probably enough to skip the beginner's safety lecture, but he still wouldn't let me load the guns until showing it to me once.
The first gun he got me was the MP5. It feels smaller but heavier than I'd expect. I planned to shoot a couple of rounds in semi first just to get the feel, but the coach placed the selector in full happiness and told me to try 3 round bursts first. With the target at about 7 yards, aimed head shots were too easy. The difficulty of doing controlled 3-round bursts was not as much as I imagined. Of course, a big part of it comes from the MP5 itself, as I would realize later.
During the shoot, the coach controlled my pace. After finishing the first magazine of 25 rounds in short bursts, he then told me to aim at the center of mass and do longer, 6~8 round bursts. That's when controllability becomes an issue. In my first couple of long bursts, I did not shoulder the weapon properly and it started slipping. Even with proper position and posture, it was no longer possible to get the same tight groups as 3-round bursts.
The real rock 'n roll happened on my last magazine, when the coach told me to open up. I think I managed to keep all the rounds within the silhouette, but that's about it. I can clearly see why real operators don't open up in most tactical situations.
Even though the MP5 was well-used, the MP40 they have felt like a clunker in comparison. The coach told me to place my support hand between the magwell and the trigger, instead of holding the magazine like I saw in movies. He said that the gun would jam if I do that.
This MP40 is my first-ever experience with a gun that fires with bolt open. The coach run me through the same regimen, also with 4 magazines. Despite having gotten my feet wet with automatic weapons, I shot worse with the MP40. Head shots at the same distance was iffy. I could feel the bolt moving back and forth, and that undoubtedly affected accuracy to an extent. The rate of fire was also perceivably slower than the MP5.
It is not really fair to compare two firearms designed and made decades apart, but I think the MP5 is a much better gun. Superior bolt design gave the MP5 better accuracy and controllability. Better ergonomics did not hurt either. Having said so, I can see that MP40 did exactly what it was made to do - spraying bullets - and did it rather well. By the way, the keyholes were formed when the target paper was folded by the muzzle blast.
With a long line of shooters waiting, I did not get to slow down and enjoy the moment. However, the coach was nice enough to let me pose and take a few photos. I suppose that's part of the package. It was fun while it lasted, but that was like burning dollar bills for fun. Unless my company gives me a hefty bonus this year, I don't think I can afford to do this often.
2008年1月9日 星期三
M1 Garand .30-06 步槍
這枝槍的故事有點長．我原本從 Civilian Marksmanship Program 買的 M1 步槍發生故障，送修後他們給我換了一枝．雖然屬於同等級但是整體狀況較佳，目前看來沒虧到我就是．
這枝的槍匣印記同樣是春田兵工廠．序號屬於二戰後期1945年5月生產，可能還來不及送上戰場軸心國就全體投降．槍管和槍栓也都是春田製品．美中不足的是扳機組成來自HRA，但是以血統純淨度來說已經比原來那枝還要來的春田．
初步檢查之後發現基本機械功能正常．照門調整鈕相當緊，應該不至於發生原來那枝照門自動升高的問題．槍口緊縮度則差不多．槍管內璧用手電筒照射檢查還是相當光滑閃亮，膛線也十分明顯．金屬部件表面有些歲月痕跡，不過沒發現嚴重鏽蝕．
收到槍後幾個月來陸續打了兩三百發子彈，沒出現什麼問題．但是上一次打了區區8個彈夾共64發後，我一時偷懶沒擦槍．過了僅僅一星期居然膛室和槍管生鏽．打一發就麻膛，彈殼抽取不出來而將第二發彈頭硬生生的擠進去．這使我後悔之外也見試了腐蝕性底火的可怕．
發生嚴重故障，回家之後自是不敢怠慢馬上拆槍做細部分解清潔．膛室和槍管除了熱水沖洗外也用銅刷沾清潔液刷了老半天才恢復原狀．
訂閱：
文章 (Atom)