• zaphod@sopuli.xyz
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    1 month ago

    I wonder if the G11’s mechanism is so overengineered because it uses caseless cartridges.

    • DaddleDew@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      There were far simpler caseless mechanisms devised. But the G11 fired caseless ammo, rotated it 90 degrees and more importantly had a burst mode where the barrel and magazine recoiled together continually throughout the 3 round burst, only returning to battery after the 3rd round was fired. That latter one added a lot of complexity.

      • HackerJoe@sh.itjust.works
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        1 month ago

        It’s also pretty fast at about 2000 rpm in burst mode. If they hadn’t used caseless ammo this would have been a really reliable gun.

        Loading it by turning the fold out knob is a bit wonky though. No satisfying chambering clanks like with the M14 or G3. Probably a plus in real combat.

        It’s not even that caseless. The bullets sit in a rectangular box that contains the primer, propellant and a plastic cap to center it. The ammo really is the worst part of that thing.