Belt-fed Brutality: Can it be done?

Описание: Inspired by the Remote Brutality (#finnishbrutality #remotebrutality2021) challenge put out by Finnish Brutality (organised by @Varusteleka), and shared by @Forgotten Weapons, @Bloke on the Range and @inRangeTV, we decided to try and adapt it to the situation and equipment we had to hand. We also wondered what we could learn along the way (and the answer was plenty!). Spend ten minutes watching it and then come back and read below the links. Stay to the end to find out the time too! (the 'par time' was 180 seconds for the rifle competition rules).

  / vickersmg  
http://paypal.me/vickersmg
http://buymeacoff.ee/vickersmg
http://www.vickersmg.org.uk

So, what did we learn?

1) Moving the Vickers with the belt in it needs a lot of care and attention. Difficult for vehicles to deal with but (probably) easier when you're using a No. 8 or No. 10 belt box rather than an ammunition liner. Also, the liner moves too much in the belt box carrier.

2) It is possible to move the gun and the entire equipment in one go at a reasonable pace, including when loading and unloading (so it's safe) with every move. It causes stoppages though. Things move and loosen when you're not expecting them to.

3) The blank firing attachment needs 'tweaking' if not fully tightened.

4) A fabric belt is frustrating when trying to move the gun.

5) A Medium Machine Gun is not portable. It needs a team of men who are well training and in prime physical fitness. They would have to dismount the gun and reload every time. This shows the need (which wasn't disputed) for a light machine gun in any form of movement.

6) Saying that, a time of sub 4-minutes is pleasing, considering the number of stoppages that had to be made.

7) The reason we were happy to expend ammunition on this is because we were trying some non-asbestos packing in the barrel cannelure and the muzzle gland. This slowed down the rate of fire a little bit and caused some of the stoppages it seems. Needs more oil and a bit more trimming but a suitable and safe alternative. More to follow on that in the future.