The Automatic Rifle Part I

There’s a reason every 4-man fire team in the US military has an automatic rifle; it’s a potent force multiplier. And while we as civilians don’t have common access to full-auto weaponry, it is possible to use a semi-auto weapon to fill the role of a full-auto one. Today I will cover why automatic rifles are useful and what you should look for when choosing/building a semi-auto version of one.
I would like to first point out that I’m not the first one to introduce the topic of automatic rifles, or at least the nearest semi-auto equivalent. Hawkeye made a pretty good article in 2018 about what he called the Area Denial Weapon, which is essentially the same concept.
 
Suppressing Fire
Automatic rifles and machine guns are designed to lay down heavy volumes of fire to suppress or inflict heavy casualties on enemy troops. There’s a lot of misconceptions about “suppressing fire” floating around, so I’ll start by describing how suppression and fire superiority work.
The first thing that you do in a gunfight is attempt to establish fire superiority and suppress your opponent. An enemy is “suppressed” when he is too scared by your gunfire to stick up his head and place well-aimed fire on you. Once that is accomplished, you can maneuver freely and impose your will on him. On the other hand, if YOU are suppressed, the enemy can maneuver on you and your team. Fire superiority, once lost, is extremely hard to regain, so it is the responsibility of the team/squad leader to control rates of fire to maintain fire superiority throughout the engagement.
Suppression relies on two things: accuracy and volume. Accuracy is the most important because inaccurate fire does not suppress well. You are much more likely to duck back behind your cover if bullets are kicking up dust in front of you, chipping away at the rock you’re hiding behind, or hitting your buddies, than if they’re harmlessly snapping by 20 feet overhead. However, inexperienced/poorly trained troops can be suppressed easier than veteran troops who know the difference between accurate and inaccurate incoming fire, so bear that in mind when considering your opponent.
Volume is secondary in importance, but it is important. If both parties in a gunfight are equally trained, whoever lays down the heaviest volume of accurate fire establishes fire superiority. This is where an automatic rifle comes in handy. Firing in short, controlled bursts, the automatic rifleman can combine with the well-aimed single shots of the riflemen to inflict a devastating psychological effect on the enemy.
Let’s say you are ambushing a well trained enemy fire team sized element by yourself (not your best life choice, to be sure). You initiate contact and they execute their immediate action drill, taking cover and returning fire. Their automatic rifleman lets loose with 6-10 round bursts on your position, sending signal #1 to your brain; “there’s a lot of rounds incoming.” The other 3 riflemen open up with well-aimed shots on your position, kicking up dirt and slamming lead into the tree you’re using as cover. Signal #2 to your brain; “this incoming fire is accurate!” The two messages in your brain combine into one very stressful psychological effect that makes you want to do nothing but tuck your head down as low into the dirt as you can. This is what it feels like to be suppressed. I’ll cover more about how the automatic rifleman is employed in part 2.
Building the Automatic Rifle
There are a few things you should look for in a purpose-built rapid-firing weapon to fill the role of an automatic rifle. Ideally you would buy a semi-auto version of a military autorifle, but this can be expensive (the semi-auto M249 actually costs more than the full auto version). You may choose to build your own, especially if your team is standardized around the 5.56 cartridge.
First, the weapon should be piston-operated. Direct impingement gas systems (i.e. the vast majority of AR-15s) aren’t designed to handle a large volume of rapid fire. In fact, the gas tube is designed to be the failing point on an AR if it overheats, to prevent catastrophic damage elsewhere on the rifle (meaning that when it fails, your AR is still operable, just as a straight-pull bolt action). This is why every machine gun and automatic rifle in service with the US military is piston-operated (except Ma Deuce, she’s a special beast).
Second, the weapon should have a heavier barrel to slow the speed at which it heats up. If your barrel overheats, it can warp, killing your accuracy (and you if you’re not careful!). I’m not saying that heavy barrels don’t overheat, just that they don’t overheat as quickly. Heavy barrels are fairly easy to get for AR-15s, commonly sold as “match-grade” or “competition” barrels due to their added accuracy from the weight.
Third, you will want to add a bipod to get the most accuracy out of your bursts. You are planning to fire a lot of rounds very quickly, so having as stable a firing platform as possible should be a priority (higher, I would say, than a magnified optic. Remember, this is an area effect weapon).
Next, you may choose to get a trigger that will increase your rate of fire. This is optional. Competition triggers with a very short length of pull are a great choice due to their simplicity. I acknowledge that binary triggers and forced-reset triggers exist, and that they can be quite useful. However, they require you to “tune” your rifle a bit for them to work correctly, and you need to get used to the rhythm of your rifle so you don’t outrun the bolt. Whichever one you use is entirely your choice, but keep in mind that when you get that adrenaline dump in combat, you may or may not still have the ability to maintain the ideal speed to run your binary trigger without a stoppage.
You may also choose to invest in some high-capacity magazines to reduce the amount of reloads in a firefight, keeping the gun in action longer. Drum mags have the highest capacity, ranging from 50-100 rounds or higher, but they tend to suffer from reliability issues. Even the 75-round AKM drums are not immune to stoppages. A more reliable option is 40-round magazines, which will likely still fit in the same pouches as your 30-rounders. There are other options as well, including triple stack magazines. Whatever you use, make sure you subject it to extensive torture testing to ensure that it will work when you need it most. If it’s unreliable, throw it away and try something else.
My Recommendations
If your team is running 5.56, your best bet is to build a rifle as described above. The US Army uses the M249 SAW, which is belt fed and likely outside of your budget, even in a semi-auto configuration. The USMC now uses the M27 IAR, which more closely represents what you will eventually build, as it is a piston-operated carbine with 30-round magazines and a giggle switch.
If you lead a team of vodka-fueled AK operators, you’ll want to get your hands on a semi-auto RPK. Failing this, CMMG’s MK47 Mutant is another very reliable option, even as a direct-impingement platform. Don’t believe me? Check out the torture test video by Iraqveteran8888.
The common thread with all of these recommendations is commonality of mags and ammo with your team. After an engagement, the team leader should be able to re-distribute ammo throughout the team, which is much easier if everyone is using the same magazines and ammo.
In summary, an automatic rifle is an incredible asset to any small team. However, keep in mind that by its nature, a purpose-built rapid-fire weapon will consume substantially more ammunition than a semi-auto carbine. It is up to you and your teammates to balance your mission profile and available resources, and evaluate for yourselves whether or not you should make the investment. Stay tuned for Part II, in which I will discuss tactics and employment of the automatic rifle.
In other news, if you missed my previous post I am running Team Leader classes regularly now, with the next one on March 27. If you’re interested, check out my website for more info. In the meantime, keep your head on a swivel and your rifle within reach.
Mike

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By Published On: February 22, 2021Categories: AP Staff, Mike, Tactical, Weapons26 Comments on The Automatic Rifle Part I

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26 Comments

  1. Anonymous February 22, 2021 at 06:47

    5

  2. Matt Bracken February 22, 2021 at 08:02

    Night after night, Navy SEALs in Vietnam went into VC-controlled areas with 7-man teams. Usually they inserted by stepping off the bow of a small boat right into triple canopy jungle. One-night ambushes or snatch raids were typical missions. Due to their operating in enemy territory in thick jungle at night, it was common for these teams to literally “contact front” with a superior enemy force. Most of the Vietnam-era SEALs who were our mentors in the 80s said they never shot at an enemy at a greater range than 100 feet, or even saw them at that distance for that matter.
    As a result, for the SEALs it was all about establishing superior firepower, with a preponderance of belt-fed weapons, specifically “chopped” M-60s and belt-fed 5.56mm Stoners. Individually, some point men carried pump shotguns, and the patrol leader and radioman might have carried “only” a CAR-15, but everybody else was carrying at least a rifle with a 40mm grenade launcher or a belt-fed weapon. At least one M-60 (chopped barrel and short aircraft stock, no bipod, forward pistol grip) and 2 Stoners per 7 man patrol would have been typical. It was all about putting out overwhelming suppressing fire, to allow the small team to break away from a superior force and escape back to the river or HLZ for extraction.
    Sure, civilians are not likely to possess this level of firepower, but neither are our adversaries. The lesson in a Vietnam jungle or in our own backyards, is that it’s much better to be on the side that can lay out suppressing fire!
    Cool photo of Vietnam-era SEALs with belt fed weapons:
    https://i.imgur.com/OaNF06y.jpg

    • Matt Bracken February 22, 2021 at 08:08

      PS/addendum: Looking at this and other photos, and digging into my foggy boomer memory, I don’t think forward pistol grips were mounted on “chopped” M-60s during the Vietnam era, but they were pretty common by the 80s when I was serving.

    • Matt Bracken February 22, 2021 at 08:22

      If you can find and buy 40-round mags, or other large cap mags, by all means do so.
      But if you can’t find them, don’t rule out making a duplexed (2X30) mag to carry in your AR.
      The switch to the 2nd mag is MUCH faster than getting #2 out of a pouch.
      This will matter a lot on first contact.
      This solution isn’t for everybody, but it’s worth trying out.
      If you have a couple of old spare metal AR-mags, try it out.
      IN PRAISE OF DUPLEXED AR-15 MAGAZINES
      Posted by Matt Bracken | Aug 31, 2020
      https://www.americanpartisan.org/2020/08/in-praise-of-duplexed-ar-15-magazines/

      • Matt R. February 22, 2021 at 10:00

        “If you can find and buy 40-round mags, or other large cap mags, by all means do so.”
        For today at least, Palmetto State has the Schmeisser 60 round AR-15 magazines for sale for $49.99. I have tried the Surefire 60 rounders and have had good luck with them, but unfortunately they are no longer available.
        https://palmettostatearmory.com/ati-schmeisser-5-56-223-ar-15-60rd-g2-mle-magazine-black-atim556s60mle.html
        Matt R.

        • SOG February 22, 2021 at 12:08

          Schmeisser 60 round AR-15 magazines for sale for $49.99
          a steal! it is GTG have one as well as the SF 60 for the SF60 they now cost $130!

      • Johnny Paratrooper February 22, 2021 at 13:54

        For $15 it is hard to argue with this product. It’s really well made. I own quite a few of them. I used it for my entire deployment in Baghdad and years of training exercises. It never failed me.
        https://www.sarcoinc.com/ar15-m16-mmh-g-i-multiple-magazine-holder/

        • Johnny Paratrooper February 22, 2021 at 13:56

          They make a $5 version as well. I think they are the same thing. Not sure which one I have.
          https://www.sarcoinc.com/ar15-m16-jungle-clip-holder/

        • Matt Bracken February 22, 2021 at 16:55

          For $5 or $15, they sound like a good deal. But anywhere you find yourself with 2 magazines, rigger tape, and a 3″ piece of pencil (or a stick) you can make a V-shaped duplex mag. I think the V-shape is better (the two mags are touching at the bottom) because this is the “handle” for the rapid mag switch, and it fits into your hand better than two mags that are parallel and more widely spread apart. It’s just my opinion, but there is no harm in trying out 2 mags joined with tape and a piece of pencil. If you don’t like it, you’re only out a foot of riggers (or duct) tape and a busted pencil.

  3. Johnny Paratrooper February 22, 2021 at 09:03

    Dude, we are writing the same article at the same time and you scooped me.

    • Johnny Paratrooper February 22, 2021 at 12:16

      To clarify, I’m glad great minds are thinking alike. This is an important topic that needs to make it’s way into the Partisan’s workbook.
      This is a write up on Support By Fire. I am including a portion in my write up. It’s a great read and not exhaustively long.
      https://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/magazine/issues/2014/Apr-Jun/pdfs/ConradTinsley.pdf

    • Mike February 22, 2021 at 16:07

      Whoops, looks like we’re somewhat on the same page lol. I had it up on the post calendar for about a week, check that once in a while so there’s no duplication of effort.

      • Johnny Paratrooper February 22, 2021 at 16:10

        No harm, no fool. This is the most important part of small unit tactics. We are in the same mind set because that is the next logical step beyond square range training. I hope you enjoy mine. I have already built two of these Squad Support AR’s and turned on of my M4geries into a half weight version.

  4. James8654 February 22, 2021 at 10:52

    All very good points. Consider Magpul D60 drums, if using 5.56, and a binary trigger. The D60 saves you a mag change, which could be important. Body position of the gunner and trigger control are important. The 5.56 doesn’t recoil very hard, but enough to shift impact if the gunner isn’t firmly behind the gun during rapid fire. Slapping away at the trigger is also discouraged. While it sounds pretty obvious, it takes practice.
    There is also the tendency of the gunner to get “sucked down the barrel” and lose situational awareness- this is bad for the team members on the move. Shifting fire to avoid fratricide is going to be an issue for every team. Practice fire and maneuver with your team(s). Dry first, until you can run it safely and without mistakes in movement and communication.
    The gunner in your team should be cool and calculating, but not hesitant. The first rounds of the engagement set the tone for the fight.

  5. SOG February 22, 2021 at 10:54

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFsWpiIrDIY
    some different options for rate of fire or belt fed arrangement- poor man saw is 50-100 rd drums on AK or ar, each member can carry a drum for the Gunner such as some units teammates may carry an extra saw sack for the gunner
    40 rd magpuls, Promag makes 50 rd ar, KCI makes 50 and 100 rd drums for AK and AR pmag has the D60.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgxTiMp0P5I
    https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/receiver-parts/receivers/upper-receivers/mcr-belt-fed-upper-receiver-full-auto-prod86794.aspx
    https://atlanticfirearms.com/products/ukm-rifle-wood-marcolmar-firearms

    • BePrepared February 22, 2021 at 17:56

      I’m reminded of How to- (And avoid an) Ambush… as the squad went by they all dropped one mag for the ambush/distraction gunners. It makes a difference.

  6. Gatling gun February 22, 2021 at 19:09

    My “poor-man’s” SAW is a fight lite MCR. It is belt fed, with a quick change barrel. It will pin onto any AR lower, semiauto or full auto. Mine is on a semi lower with a binary trigger. The trigger is a bit counterintuitive but I have yet to outrun the bolt. Unloaded it weighs 11 pounds and with a 100 round nutsack it tips the scales at a mere 14 pounds. Less than an M249.
    It runs standard M27 links or, once the nutsack adapter has been removed, will use standard M16 magazines. The MCR is really the best of both worlds as far as mag fed and belt fed. The only drawback is price.
    Check them out at fightlite.com

    • SOG February 22, 2021 at 19:55

      to those who run a belt fed… we salute you!

    • Mike February 22, 2021 at 20:05

      I saw those! Excellent option. The only downside is that linked ammo isn’t all that common. But if you can easily get linked 5.56, by all means go for it!

    • Johnny Paratrooper February 22, 2021 at 21:23
  7. 2Knives February 22, 2021 at 22:17

    This is all good if you can radio for a resupply of ammo. I do not what year you all are in , but in 2021 ammo is uber $$$ and scarce. Accurate fire I get…but we need to keep as much ammo as we can for the long run. Civilians need bolt guns and realistic practice not target shooting. Hooah.

    • wwes February 23, 2021 at 07:53

      I agree with not wasting ammo, BUT what good is that ammo going to do you if you and your team get killed because you end up in an engagement, by choice or otherwise, and you are trying to save your ammo? Suppressing fire isn’t the same as spray and pray.
      Anyone who doesn’t already have a good supply of ammo is way behind the curve, and has some serious catching up to do.

    • SOG February 23, 2021 at 08:04

      a guy w a beltfed upper is probably the kind to stock a lot of ammo. supprressing fire is sustained and accurate enough to allow you profor to fire and manuever its not a range day ammo dump it may be this guys area denial weapon for avenues of approach to his house farm etc. mileage varies. i am happy to see a AP reader

    • Mike February 23, 2021 at 19:35

      Despite what you may think, fire can be both rapid and accurate. This isn’t a waste of ammo, it’s effective use of it to gain a much needed edge in a firefight.
      Also, some of us have been stockpiling ammo for the last decade. Where have YOU been living?

  8. KOBK February 23, 2021 at 09:56

    The suggestion of a piston driven weapon vs a DI-AR makes good sense. However, I’d recommend this gas tube for AR’s to aid in this role if an AR is all you have.
    https://www.vsevenweaponsystems.com/v7-extreme-environment-gas-tube/
    The metal it’s made of INCONEL is far superior to resisting damage from heat than the typical nitrated stainless tube.
    To be honest, for a long time I thought this thing was an over-priced gimmick. Eventually I did a bunch of research on INCONEL and it’s other uses such as in fire suppression systems for off-shore oil rigs etc. I started to realize this gas tube is not a gimmick at all and purchased a couple for my main AR’s.
    This product might help someone if they have to get their AR real hot to get out of a situation.

  9. Wyogrunt March 1, 2021 at 09:13

    Have an HK91 set up for this mission. Lots of mags on hand 7.62 hits hard and penetrates much of what people think as cover. Controlled sustained fire not wasteful mag dumps.

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