They Wanted Those Gangster Guns
BY Herschel Smith
8 years, 9 months ago
David initially observed that there was a lesson to be learned, but what, he pondered, somewhat sardonically? I goaded him into spelling it out, and he responded that “my basic thought was to note the irony of the demonizing “gangster gun” sentiment” reserved for when they’re possessed by anyone else.”
But it’s interesting how we all see different flavors depending upon, I don’t know, psychological differences? Archer says:
The caption says it all (emphasis added): “Although British officers early on denigrated submachine guns as ‘gangster guns,’ when the Nazis were only 20 miles from their shores they gladly bought all the Thompson submachine guns they could get, including the M1 version (top) and the earlier Model 1928A1.”
Another possible “lesson” could be directed at “Fudds”: if/when tyranny comes knocking, you’ll wish you hadn’t allowed pushed for all the “scary” guns to be banned as “weapons of war that don’t belong on our streets”. When it comes to defense of life, limb, and family, you’ll want something proven more effective than your “sporting purpose” 3-shot (with the dowel) 12 gauge pump gun.
In other words, you’ll be kicking yourself for allowing the attacks on others’ rights when they come for yours and there’s nobody left to stand with you.
And yet when I saw the question, my thoughts were that while we should all endeavor to shoot like pros (which means careful shot selection with rapid target acquisition in single shot mode, it would still be good to have an area suppression weapon. Not nice enough to spend $20,000 on it, now necessary since the Hughes amendment.
Then again, American Rifleman had this several months ago, the modern incarnation of the B.A.R. shooting 30-06 (hotter than the .308), with muzzle brake and upgraded with modernized features making it more amenable to modularization like ARs. Ohio Ordnance makes it, calling it the HCAR. You too can have this for just under $4400. If someone wanted to donate this to TCJ, I would do a great review.
This ain’t no gangster gun, boy. This is high dollar high power, to be sure. I think this would suffice as an area suppression weapon, semiautomatic or automatic.
On March 1, 2016 at 7:57 am, Daniel Barger said:
VEPR makes an AK type rifle in 7.62X54R that can be had for under a grand. That round is very similar to 30-06 and is inexpensive by comparison. While not quite as accurate as 30-06 it is probably more than adequate for the vast majority of shooters looking for a BAR type weapon.
On March 1, 2016 at 6:52 pm, Louis Chapman said:
For 4400 dollars, you’re getting a semi-auto. 30-06 that only holds 20 rounds. For the price, you can get 3 AR-10s that will do the job with less weight and better accuracy. Or, you can get two RPD semiautomatic belt-feds that hold 100 rounds. Or you can buy 8 or so RPKs with 75—round drum mags.
I don’t understand the hcar. Their Bar reproduction fills a semi-historical niche. The modernized version is a failed attempt to resurrect a weapon whose place on the battlefield vanished with the advent of the LMG.