The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Melvin Johnson semi-auto 30.06 Taft Pearce prototype B6680

BlueTrain · August 23, 2012, 05:42 AM

I've always wondered how a quick-change barrel on a machine gun could possibly work. With regard to the Johnson rifles, however, I was just struck by looking at the photos, both of the issue rifle and the sporter model, at how long the action is. The older Swiss straight-pull Schmidt-Rubins also had very long actions. Do you suppose that was a consideration at the time as far as adopting the gun went? I do understand comments about a rifle not looking military enough (too much like a sporting rifle), yet there were rifles before and after that did have quite a sporting look to them, such as the Krag carbine and even the M1 carbine.

August 23, 2012, 05:42 AM	#6
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	I've always wondered how a quick-change barrel on a machine gun could possibly work. With regard to the Johnson rifles, however, I was just struck by looking at the photos, both of the issue rifle and the sporter model, at how long the action is. The older Swiss straight-pull Schmidt-Rubins also had very long actions. Do you suppose that was a consideration at the time as far as adopting the gun went? I do understand comments about a rifle not looking military enough (too much like a sporting rifle), yet there were rifles before and after that did have quite a sporting look to them, such as the Krag carbine and even the M1 carbine. __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.