I need some tutoring......???

PJHeck · September 6, 2019, 07:50 AM

I have accumulated several 1000 rnds of 30-06 mil spec, some of it is in Digger belts....I know they are different from 1919 belts...... I am not interested in using 30-06 in any other gun.

Now, I have trouble loading the Digger........every time I have had it out, same thing....jammed up on trying to get the belted ammo in for the first shot..... Been a few years, but as I recall... issue seems to be bolt forward for belt insertion or bolt back for insertion...??? You Tube does not seem to have a tutorial type video, found historical & shooting videos.

Can some one refer me or tell me how to do it.???

PJH

pwc · September 6, 2019, 10:26 AM

Digger belts? What gun?

Willie Lowman · September 6, 2019, 12:41 PM

I'd ask over on Uzitalk or Strum. Lots more machine gunners there. The NFA section here is mostly suppressor talk.

Jim Watson · September 6, 2019, 12:51 PM

The Colt/Browning "Potato Digger" machine gun?
There is a period manual at:
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/m...1895manual.pdf

Not a lot of detail, assumes there is a Sergeant handy to instruct you, but the relevant portion on page 19 is:

(1) Remove the gun and tripod from pack.
(2) Place the gun in position on the erected tripod and secure it.
with the gun pin.
(3) Raise the rear-sight leaf.
( 4) Place the ammunition box on the ribs on left side of the mount,
in position for firing.
FIRING.
(1) Set the rear sight for range and deflection.
(2) Load by inserting the brass tip of the cartridge belt through
the cartridge-shaped opening on the left of the gun and drawing it
out on the other side of the gun as far as it will go. This brings the
first cartridge on top of the feed wheel. Let go of the belt.
(3) Swing the gas lever downward and to the rear until it strikes
the bottom plate of the receiver. When released the lever resumes its
normal position.
( 4) If desired to hold the gun ready for firing push the safety
latch from "fire" to "safe"; otherwise fire the piece by pulling the
trigger to the rear. If the trigger is held, firing :will continue until
the supply in cartridge belt is exhausted. Releasing the trigger stops
the fire at any time.

September 6, 2019, 07:50 AM	#1
PJHeck Member Join Date: June 8, 2019 Location: SE Ohio Posts: 20	I need some tutoring......??? I have accumulated several 1000 rnds of 30-06 mil spec, some of it is in Digger belts....I know they are different from 1919 belts...... I am not interested in using 30-06 in any other gun. Now, I have trouble loading the Digger........every time I have had it out, same thing....jammed up on trying to get the belted ammo in for the first shot..... Been a few years, but as I recall... issue seems to be bolt forward for belt insertion or bolt back for insertion...??? You Tube does not seem to have a tutorial type video, found historical & shooting videos. Can some one refer me or tell me how to do it.??? PJH Last edited by PJHeck; September 6, 2019 at 05:24 PM.

September 6, 2019, 12:41 PM	#3
Willie Lowman Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: Uh-Hi-O Posts: 3,006	I'd ask over on Uzitalk or Strum. Lots more machine gunners there. The NFA section here is mostly suppressor talk. __________________ "9mm has a very long history of being a pointy little bullet moving quickly" --Sevens

September 6, 2019, 10:26 AM	#2
pwc Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2018 Location: AZ Posts: 236	Digger belts? What gun?

September 6, 2019, 12:51 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	The Colt/Browning "Potato Digger" machine gun? There is a period manual at: https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/m...1895manual.pdf Not a lot of detail, assumes there is a Sergeant handy to instruct you, but the relevant portion on page 19 is: (1) Remove the gun and tripod from pack. (2) Place the gun in position on the erected tripod and secure it. with the gun pin. (3) Raise the rear-sight leaf. ( 4) Place the ammunition box on the ribs on left side of the mount, in position for firing. FIRING. (1) Set the rear sight for range and deflection. (2) Load by inserting the brass tip of the cartridge belt through the cartridge-shaped opening on the left of the gun and drawing it out on the other side of the gun as far as it will go. This brings the first cartridge on top of the feed wheel. Let go of the belt. (3) Swing the gas lever downward and to the rear until it strikes the bottom plate of the receiver. When released the lever resumes its normal position. ( 4) If desired to hold the gun ready for firing push the safety latch from "fire" to "safe"; otherwise fire the piece by pulling the trigger to the rear. If the trigger is held, firing :will continue until the supply in cartridge belt is exhausted. Releasing the trigger stops the fire at any time.