Gun Digest Volume 4 (archive)
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Date: Sat, 19 Sep 1998 15:10:01 +0100
From: "Clairr O'Connor & Kevin Honan"

I was wondering if anybody could answer a few questions on weapons. (This is for a Cthulhu Live game)

1. Do flame throwers (circa War 2) have safety catches ?

2. Do semi-automatic weapons (speciffically M1 Carbines) eject the spent brass to the right or directly up wards ?

My reason for asking #2 is…if a unskilled and left handed character picks up a rifle and shotos it, is he going to get an eyefull of brass casing ?


Date: Sun, 20 Sep 1998 10:20:43 EDT
From: Shane Ivey

In a message dated 98-09-20 10:12:55 EDT, you write:

2. Do semi-automatic weapons (speciffically M1 Carbines) eject the spent brass to the right or directly up wards ? My reason for asking #2 is…if a unskilled and left handed character picks up a rifle and shotos it, is he going to get an eyefull of brass casing ?

That's exactly the problem. In my comparatively modest experience and reading I have never heard of an automatic or semi-automatic weapon which ejects casings other than to the right. Which would kind of suck for left-handed shooters, so maybe there are some "lefty" weapons out there which eject to the left. But casings ejecting straight up would be a baaaad thing in a firefight.

Not an expert but still willing to sound off,


Date: Sun, 20 Sep 1998 09:07:58 -0700
From: Josh Shaw

That's exactly the problem. In my comparatively modest experience and reading I have never heard of an automatic or semi-automatic weapon which ejects casings other than to the right. Which would kind of suck for left-handed shooters, so maybe there are some "lefty" weapons out there which eject to the left. But casings ejecting straight up would be a baaaad thing in a firefight.

Berretta 9mm pistols eject up and back. The first time I fired one I kept feeling something landing "tink" in my hair after every shot. Very freaky until you figure out what it is. OTOH, a very sweet shooting gun.

I believe the M-16 can be adjusted to eject either left or right, but that may just be my bad memory talking.


Date: Sun, 20 Sep 1998 14:12:50 EDT
From: Michael Layne

I was wondering if anybody could answer a few questions on weapons. (This is for a Cthulhu Live game) 1. Do flame throwers (circa War 2) have safety catches ?

I don't think so, as such. If you're talking about a US Army WWII flamethrower, that is likely to be the M2A1, which has two triggers….

It weighs about 43 lbs unloaded, 70 lbs loaded with 4.75 gallons of gasoline.

The two large tanks on the back hold gasoline, with the center small tank filled with compressed air or (preferably) nitrogen. The fuel follows the flexible hose to the flame gun, which has two grips, in line. The rear trigger lever of the flame gun controls the flow of fuel. The front trigger fires one of five ignition cartridges in the front cylinder of the flame gun. The ignition cartridge will burn for about six seconds, spitting sparks into the fuel stream.

The tanks hold sufficient fuel for five two-second "bursts", or ten seconds of continuous fire. A single "burst" will burn at about 1200 C for about 120 seconds. The separate fuel and ignition controls allow the weapon to fire either "hot or "cold" shots.

A "cold" shot is one in which the fuel is not ignited, but is first allowed to "soak" into the target.

A "hot" shot is one in which the fuel is ignited by the ignition cylinder, and emerges burning (the familiar depiction of a flamethrower in action).

Besides a fill-up of fuel, the flamethrower man's load will normally include at least one spare igniter cylinder (with five cartridges).

The weapon will function with either normal gasoline fuel (with an effective range of about 25 yards), or with Napalm (with effective range increased to about 55 yards).

Normally, if struck by a bullet, the fuel tanks will neither ignite nor explode, especially if the air tank is filled with nitrogen. If the tank is filled with air, a fuel tank may explode if struck by a tracer or incendiary round.

The M2 series of flamethrower was replaced in 1956 by the M9A1-7, which is somewhat lighter weight, with a front squeeze grip (controlling the ignition) on the flame gun, rather than a forward pistol grip, and the addition of a holster for the flame gun attached to the harness. In most other aspects, it is very similar to its predecessor.

2. Do semi-automatic weapons (speciffically M1 Carbines) eject the spent brass to the right or directly up wards ? My reason for asking #2 is…if a unskilled and left handed character picks up a rifle and shotos it, is he going to get an eyefull of brass casing ?

The only "left-handed" or "ambidextrous" production-model rifle I've heard of offhand <g> is the French FA MAS (sometimes called the "Clarion") produced by GIAT at the St. Etienne Arsenal. It is a 5.56mm bullpup design, in which the bolt can be changed around (presumably by an armorer) for right-handed or left-handed shooters.


Date: Sun, 20 Sep 1998 14:06:48 -0500 (CDT)
From: Don Juneau

Hmmm. My Big Book O' Infantry Weapons (SMALL ARMS OF THE WORLD, Ezell) is in storage, but IIRC the M1 carbine had a rightward bias in ejection. (As did the M1 Garand, but when the Garand fired its eighth shot, it ejected the clip straight up out of the reciever. With a loud SPROING! . Unpopular and possibly deadly. This can be seen in THE BIG RED ONE, in the crematorium scene. [Probably elsewhere in the movie, but there's little other distractions, versus beach-assaults and the like.])

Trivia Note: in one big-budget Vietnam movie made during the '70s, a complex battle scene was made ven more so because they didn't have the M14s needed, and so used cosmetically-modified M1s. Everyone had to carefully count their shots to avoid the magic eight, and the scene-breaking SPROING! effect. Can't remember the title of the film, THE GREAT SANTINI? THE BOYS IN COMPANY C?

The Garand was still used by US forces (and still had the clip-ejection "feature") in Korea, and was issued to Montagnard irregular forces in Vietnam.

As for ejection… hmmm. I know the Ithaca 37 pump-action shotgun ejects downwards, and the Calico series of submachineguns, but I don't think I've seen a top-ejector either. Left-hand eject is easier, as IIRC the US Army has a certain number of "lefty" M16 recievers. Some Browning semiauto <?> sporting-arms are available in southpaw configuration, as well. (I know there's a Browning "convertable" bolt-action - takes.. 30 seconds or so? to switch over, with no extra parts needed.)


Date: Sun, 20 Sep 1998 16:12:28 -0400
From: "Duran Goodyear"

1. Do flame throwers (circa War 2) have safety catches ?

I'm no expert, but I'll answer as best to my above average knowledge…

Flame throwers do not have a saftey, as they have two modes of operation.

On (small flame and a switch to release the pressurized gasoline [or what ever your fuel may be])

off (no flame, but you can still release the presured gas) So, I assume it could be built to have a saftey, but the only effect it would have would be to keep the flow of gas from going off acidently.

2. Do semi-automatic weapons (speciffically M1 Carbines) eject the spent brass to the right or directly up wards ?

Again, with out any personal experitse… but from watching WAY to many WW2 movies… they eject straight up… as to which way random fate throws them… thats up to you… but the action is a few inches ahead of the face of the user… Even right handed people would get flash burn if it was closer…

Hope that helps… and please, if any one knows better, tell me, for my own help, as well as helping out his question


Date: Sun, 20 Sep 1998 16:59:18 EDT
From: Thomas Woodall

Michael mentioned the French FA MAS as a gun that can be switched to left hand use. Another is the Steyr series of machine guns and assault rifles. Since I prefer to shoot left handed (though I write with the right hand), I have noticed that the brass casings usually fly in front of my face with non-bullpup designs (I would not shoot a bullpup design with the opposite hand from the one it is set for since that would place a hot casing on your cheek) . However, the powder residue from even a small .22 can mess with your eyes, or cover your classes quickly, if you are shooting a lot of rounds. Keep this in mind if you have a left handed agent shooting a standard issue semi or full auto. gun.


Date: Sun, 20 Sep 1998 19:20:13 EDT
From: J. Fred

I don't presume to be a weapon expert, but I have fired a lot of different guns and I'm left-handed. I've never had the problems you describe with ejecting shells or venting gasses become a problem for me. A more real problem is the often awkwad locations of safeties or other buttons, levers, or catches. When I had to qualify with the .38 revolver where I work, I discovered that I couldn't open the cylinder as fast as the average officer or eject my brass quite as quickly.

On the other hand, things can work in reverse: Police forensics staff at a conference some years ago attempted to match the speed and accuracy needed for Lee Harvey Oswald to have shot Kennedy with his bolt-action rifle. Most were unable to match the speed needed. Those few who succeeded were all left-handed shooters, so they checked old photos and files to see how Oswald shot. Lee Harvey Oswald fired his weapon left-handed.


Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 09:18:27 +0900
From: "David Farnell"

Agent Layne answered the question:

2. Do semi-automatic weapons (speciffically M1 Carbines) eject the spent brass to the right or directly up wards ?

My reason for asking #2 is…if a unskilled and left handed character picks up a rifle and shotos it, is he going to get an eyefull of brass casing ?

Others commented on a variety of weapons (will this result in a new Ice Cave thread, or will it get tacked on to the existing ones, I wonder?). I just wanted to mention that many automatic pistols eject straight up and back. The lever-action rifles I've used both ejected up-and-back. Ejection direction is not a terribly big deal if you know how to hold the gun, except of course for bullpups—on normal rifles, the ejection port is well forward of the face. To get an eyeful of brass, he'd have to have his face shoved up ahead of the rear sight, I think.

And another little bit about the M1 Garand—it had the nickname "Thumb-buster." Having used one, i can testify that it's a bit risky to load the thing without getting one's thumb smashed by the reciever. A lit prof of mine was in the War, and he told how he smashed his thumb twice—he hated that gun. He carried a Tommy gun for a while, loved it (he was kind of a small guy). Can't remember what direction it ejected.

But I remember when we were out shooting it, I thought we were taking a break, so I took off my hearing protection just as my pal fired the whole clip off rapid-fire. Eight unexpected gigantic bangs and a SPRONG at the end, all in about a second, maybe a second and a half. I almost crawled under a log—the effect was totally stunning. I couldn't stop shaking for maybe 30 seconds.

So file that away for the effects of firearms on those who ain't used to 'em (at least, not used to them in combat, with no earplugs).


Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 00:37:04 EDT
From: Michael Layne

Just one question: was napalm used during WW2, or was it a more recent development?

I can find records of napalm fire-bombs being used by Allied forces in the Pacific theater in early 1945, but I'm not sure exactly when the first use of napalm was (not counting Greek Fire) or when it was first used in flamethrowers. Encyclopedia Britannica reports it "was developed by US scientists during World War II".

The term "napalm" apparently comes from "naphthenic and aliphatic carboxylic acids" (organic acids of which the molecular structures contain rings and chains, respectively, of carbon atoms), the substance used to thicken gasoline for use as an incendiary in flamethrowers and fire bombs. The thickened mixture burns more slowly and can be propelled more accurately and to greater distances than gasoline.

Napalm is a mixture of benzene (21%), gasoline (33%), and polystyrene (46%). (An aluminum soap can be used instead of, or in addition to, the polystyrene.) It has about the consistency of honey — tending to be stringy and sticky, adhering to most surfaces — and is not as easy to ignite as normal gasoline (apparently because it gives off less vapor, and is less likely to form a combustible aerosol). When ignited, it burns at 675 C (1,250 F).

I've seen mention of a "Napalm B" which is hotter-burning, later version. This is probably the "pyrotechnic gel" mentioned by some of my sources, which contains gasoline and less-volatile petroleum oil, powdered magnesium, and sodium nitrate. This composition burns at a temperature of about 1,000 C (1,800 F).

I'm not sure about the napalm canisters used during WWII, but the most common current one is apparently the Mk 77 Mod 4 Fire Bomb, which holds 75 gallons of the mixture, and weighs 520 lbs when filled. The container is cigar-shaped, and non-stabilized (no fins — it will tumble over and over when released from the airplane), lightweight, manufactured of aluminum. It has a 14-inch suspension between the lugs and provides two filler holes (covered by filler caps, secured by retainer rings), which are 31 degrees down from the top of the container. During fuzing procedures, these filler caps are removed, and replaced by igniters, which seals the closure. When the bomb is released from the airplane, the arming wires are pulled from the fuzes, arming them. When the bomb strikes the target, the container ruptures, dispersing the fuel gel mixture over the area. The fuzes detonate, rupturing the igniters, which in turn ignite the napalm.

Other types include:

BLU-10A 250 lb Fire Bomb with 33 gallons (211 lbs) napalm (Total weight 250 lb)

BLU-23/B 500 lb Fire Bomb with 67 gallons (430 lbs) napalm (Total weight 490 lb)

BLU-32/B 500 lb Fire Bomb with 67 gallons (529 lbs) napalm B (Total weight 589 lb)

M116A2 750 lb Fire Bomb with 80 gallons of napalm (Total weight 685 lb)

BLU-1/B 750 lb Fire Bomb with 90 gallons (615 lbs) napalm (Total weight 697 lb)

BLU-27/B 750 lb Fire Bomb with 100 gallons (790 lbs) napalm B (Total weight 873 lb)

(So now you know what to ask for when you call in an airstrike on that critter the cultists you were tracking could summon, but never figured out how to bind or dismiss…) :)

Going from these figures, we get a weight of about 6.83 lbs/gallon for napalm, and 7.9 lbs/gallon for napalm B. Even though B is a little over 15% heavier than the original napalm, it will still float on water.

Hope this has been helpful… I'll keep checking for more info on flamethrowers!


Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 08:19:58 +0100
From: Phil Ward

moc.loa|sodnamI#moc.loa|sodnamI wrote:

Michael mentioned the French FA MAS as a gun that can be switched to left hand use. Another is the Steyr series of machine guns and assault rifles.

Yup, all the steyr USR rifles are entirely ambidextrous, and can be modified to eject to the left or the right…

I believe the Calico 9mm thingies eject straight downwards, because they have a top-mounted magazine.

I did hear one story about a female shooter who caught on of her husband's spent cases down the front of her top and ended up jerking round and shooting him…..

But I digress

Lots of pistol manufacturers have left-handed variants (HK for one), but they tend to have less of the 'other options' available for the left-handed variants…

BTW, if you fight John Woo style, do you carry a left-handed variant specifically for your left hand?


Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 09:38:33 -0400 >BTW, if you fight John Woo style, do you carry a left-handed variant specifically for >your left hand?
From: "Duran Goodyear"

Considering I have for the most part seen Chow Yun Fat only use Berreta 92F's for his double fisted action… then I would assume it's a moot issue…

Damn, Replacement Killers is a fun movie.


Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 15:13:23 +0100
From: Phil Ward <pj.oc.ynos.ue.dcp|drawp#pj.oc.ynos.ue.dcp|drawp>

Does the M9 eject over the top then? Or is their no south-paw variant?


Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 12:50:34 -0400
From: "Duran Goodyear"

Does the M9 eject over the top then? Or is their no south-paw variant?

I think some one just said it on the list, but the M9 ejects pretty much straight up and to the back… Some one said something about an old tale of someone shooting one, and feeling something land on his head, and he started to realize that it was the shell casings coming straight up and back…

Make sure your shirts buttoned tight… :)


Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 15:39:56 -0500 (CDT)
From: Don Juneau

On Mon, 21 Sep 1998, Duran Goodyear wrote:

Considering I have for the most part seen Chow Yun Fat only use Berreta 92F's for his double fisted action… then I would assume it's a moot issue…

He's also used Taurus clones of the 92, and ChiCom TT-33 <?> Tokarevs (in HARD BOILED). A variety of others, in various movies, but those are the "standouts" to me.

Damn, Replacement Killers is a fun movie.

I'm still partial to the double-feature of THE KILLER and HARD BOILED.

Cinematic-style gunfighting isn't really a DG thing, but if the players *insist*… if you use the old "CoC 5 1/2" firearms levels from TUO #7, Handgun 60% or better allows an extra round (or more) to be fired per combat round. (A Grand Master [90%] has a Fast Draw of DEXx3, doubled base ranges, an extra shot per round automatically and on a DEXx2 roll, a second extra shot.)(The 5 1/2 "Adventurer" Occupational Template [TUO #6] gave an additional +30 in "either an Exotic Melee Weapon [such as bullwhip or boomerang, for example] or a specific type of Handgun or Rifle [such as a Luger 9mm autometic pistol or Webley .455 revolver]."

(By "abusing" these rules <G> you can build someone pretty good with a gun, unless it's, say, his specialised ParaOrdinance P.14.45 <insert customisations here>, whereupon he can light matches, blow out candles, or open condom-wrappers at somewhat obscene range. "Panic" fire [THE WEAPONS COMPENDIUM] will allow 8 shots per round @ 20% of skill, while "hasty" fire allows 6/round @ 40%; remember your "point-blank" bonuses, and [if applicable] target size. For "blazing two-gun action!", I'd apply "hasty" or "panic" [depending on the situation, "current" {this scene's} SAN losses, and skill-level/character] rather than the "Unaimed Fire" from CoC 5.5 [the Chaosium product <G>].

(So, Conneticut Smith, scourge of the cults, whips out his big .45, and fills the air with fiery lead! He's got more balls than brains, so he *does* close to point-blank, and uses his Acrobatics [Gun Fu] skill to good effect, dumping *28* big [1d10+2; figure out the impales yourself] hits of hurtin' [we'll be nice and allow 'em all; you can figure out his actual hit/miss ratio based off Handgun 90%] into the stunned indescribable horror, in about 5 seconds! All non-insane [and some insane] humans [not counting those in shock from wounds, et cetera] are verily impressed and awed!

(And then the Servitor of the Outer Gods blinks and swallows him whole. Seems he had a Library Use of only 26%, and was busy checking out the new GUNS AND AMMO rather than THE BIG BOOK OF ELDRICH HORRORS. Awwww.

(Now, if he'd been using something that didn't give him that extra +30, I bet he'd stay a bit further away, miss more shots, but perhaps see that he *wasn't* having any effect on it…

(This fascinating <G> digression was brought to you by the Hong Kong Action Film Lover's Society, the Ammunition Manufacturers For A Better Tomorrow Coalition, and your pal and mine, Nyarlathotep. ["Ohhh! That *tickles*!"])


Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 20:22:43 -0400
From: Sigurd

I believe the M-16 can be adjusted to eject either left or right, but that may just be my bad memory talking.

The M16A2 has a brass deflector on it which causes the spent casing(s) to eject up and to the right - mostly up. Left-handed shooters don't seem to be bothered by the ejected brass, but I still have a few small burn scars from catching my buddy's spent rounds in the collar of my flak jacket (i.e., while standing next to him in a fighting hole). The brass seems to go wherever it pleases. No big deal, though. BTW, converting a Styer to left-handed shooting requires disassembly, which can be a problem if (for example) a lefty were to grab one off a corpse in the middle of a firefight. The M16A2 is always ambidextrous.


Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 10:19:44 +0900
From: "David Farnell"

Make sure your shirts buttoned tight… :)

A rather, um, gifted female friend of mine failed to do that the first time she used a .45 M1911 on the range. Serious ouchiness. She had the sense of mind not to wave the gun around dangerously, though—cautiously put it down before hopping around trying to get the brass out if her bra. I was amazed at her self-control. By the way, she's gifted in other areas than implied, and is a much better shot than I these days. And she keeps her shirt buttoned tight now.

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