Those pesky, fluted chambers

nononsense

July 22, 2003 16:52

For all who care or not...

This a quote from HK's descriptive site:
"The chambers are fluted on all Heckler & Koch and CETME delayed-blowback, roller-locking firearms. The 12 longitudinal flutes extend rearward from the baffel lead to 0.25-inch from the chamber face. These flutes reduce the cartridge case's bearing surface and permit propellent gases to flow around the case acting as a lubricant to ease extraction. As delayed blowback does not offer the available power reserve of gas operation under adverse conditions and there is no primary extraction, chamber fluting is required for reliable functioning. Ejected cases are all marked with distinctive striations but, contrary to popular belief, this does not affect their potential for reloading."

Just some food for thought...

Best.

0

• 

  kingjoey

  July 22, 2003 17:02

  Thank you for posting that. I knew already but it was fun to watch the local "expert" expound on how it was meant to retard extraction. Maybe he was thinking of knurled or grooved chambers, he probably wasn't thinking at all. Seems to be his trademark[}:)]
  
  Love them Beavers
  
  
  SUPPORT THE I.N.S. , THE COUNTRY THEY SAVE COULD BE YOUR OWN

  0
• 

  mag

  July 22, 2003 18:25

  Experts usually have supporting documentation close at hand.
  
  Small Arms of the World or something similar.
  
  Maybe the expert can tell us what primary extraction is?
  
  mag

  0
• 

  .41Dude

  July 22, 2003 18:56

  Thank you, thank you, thank you. I knew my memory was not that far off. It was a little weird reading the posts from the "expert" blowing off about how the flutes were to make extraction harder.[:0]
  I was just thinking the other day. "How can I make this weapon more likely to fail just when the soldier needs it?" Oh wait a minute, this is the REAL WORLD not some comic book. Never Mind. ( Think of Gilda Radner when you say it.[;)][;)][;)] )

  0
• 

  Myra-Lou

  July 23, 2003 09:49

  hay he coming up here now.....we could keep him moving from thread to thread........who's playing who now[:o)]
  
  If you have to shoot, SHOOT!, don't talk

  0
• 

  Acyman

  July 23, 2003 10:20

  That's a SIDE benefit. HK of course does not want to ADMIT that their action isn't strong enough to hold the chamber pressures, by itself.

  0
• 

  rldowns3

  July 23, 2003 10:33

  You are contradicting yourself Acyman. First you say the flutes are there to make extraction of the spent cartridge more difficult as you said that it delayed the extraction long enough for the gas pressure to be reduced to a "safe level" as you put it. Now you are saying that the "gas lube" effect of the fluted chambers which aid in the extraction making the round easier to extract are a side benefit? And then you say that HK dosen't want to admit that their action isn't strong enough to hold the chamber pressures by itself.....now you are confused.
  
  Why this contradiction?
  
  ______________________
  
  Your life is not my fault.

  0
• 

  db3s

  July 23, 2003 10:46

  Acyman: Suggest you obtain a copy of "Military Small Arms of the Twentieth Century" by Ian V. Hogg, published by Krause Publications. It is a wealth of information and a great read, and it should take care of your misconceptions about blowback operated automatic weapons.

  0
• 

  gunnut505

  July 24, 2003 20:23

  Don't want to pile on; but AMT used a series of small dimples on their 22WMRF AutomagII for the ease of extraction, as did George Kelgren when designing the Grendel P30; it uses flutes in the chamber as well.
  
  If you know it all; you must have been listening.WEAR EAR PROTECTION!

  0

Please sign in to leave a comment.