MG 34 ROF

[-lynx-]

Westy - the fastest firing single barrel MG ever built was Russian-designed ShKAS with ROF of 1,800 rpm. "Normal" production MGs were mounted on many Soviet bombers as defensive weapons.

Apparently - a faster firing version was developed in 1937 with 2500-3000 rpm ROF but the rifle caliber MGs were on their way out and it was built in small numbers.

[This message has been edited by -lynx- (edited 12-08-2000).]

[Westy]

 Thanks guys for all the tips and pointers. I'm not an expert at all. Only fired the .45, shotgun and M-14 in the millitary. Saw the M2 .50 being used though from 20 feet away!!  

 I only wanted to point out that the ROF for the cowl guns on ANY aircraft such equipped is hugely contingent upon that big ole honking spinning thing out in front of the engine.  

 -Westy

[Tony Williams]

Not entirely; the effect of synchronisation depended on a number of factors; the relationship between the guns natural RoF and the propeller rpm; the number of propeller blades; the quality of the synchronisation system and the RoF of the gun (the higher the RoF, the bigger the reduction).

In effect, a figure of around 10% would be about right for most WW2 installations, with 20% being the maximum reduction.

Tony Williams
New book: "Rapid Fire: The development of automatic cannon, heavy machine guns and their ammunition for armies, navies and air forces"
Details on my military gun and ammunition website: http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~autogun/index.htm