Question about the Point Five Weapon

[sofa]

A number of years ago when going through the Newry checkpoint Some Welsh reg
was manning it. While Jones the Cpl was talking to me I noticed that they had a
point five on it's tripod facing south set up unsecured on top of a concrete block about waste high and not much wider then the tripod,

Could anyone who is in the know tell me if Jones the machine gunner started to fire the
weapon in that set up would he hurt himself or is that set up perfectly ok, ?

[RoyalGreenJacket]

while there is a lot of recoil from a .50 cal machine gun, it tends to stop short of launching itself backwards as the cycle of fire continues - unlike lets say that when firing a .50 cal rifle (i've fired both).

he probably wouldn't have been able to provide sustained accurate fire but a quick accurate burst with 2 or 3 rounds on target would tend to suffice initially.

was probably more a show of force than actually an intended fire position.

we used to fit RLG's onto our rifles when we manned checkpoints on the Border whenever the VBIED threat went up in an effort to deter would be bombers from even considering driving into our checkpoints. it was probably a similar low level ploy.

[Truck Driver]

while there is a lot of recoil from a .50 cal machine gun, it tends to stop short of launching itself backwards as the cycle of fire continues - unlike lets say that when firing a .50 cal rifle (i've fired both)..

My guess would be that the weight of the weapon keeps it pinned down fairly well,
preventing it from "hopping" as it is fired ?

[Border Bunny]

A number of years ago when going through the Newry checkpoint Some Welsh reg
was manning it. While Jones the Cpl was talking to me I noticed that they had a
point five on it's tripod facing south set up unsecured on top of a concrete block about waste high and not much wider then the tripod,

Could anyone who is in the know tell me if Jones the machine gunner started to fire the
weapon in that set up would he hurt himself or is that set up perfectly ok, ?

If it had of been fired it would have moved.
The Tripod Spades need to be in the ground.
Sand bags will also help placed on and around the tripod legs.
When firing the .5 the front leg aways jumps up so needs to be sand bagged.

[hptmurphy]

Always prefered it fitted to something Like an AML...doesn't tend to move at all, in fact its pinpoint accurate

[sofa]

Thanks lads. I did reckon it was for display , also decided not to say so to the Cpl
peeping into the car. did not fancy standing in the shed for a couple of hours in the corner

[Border Bunny]

Always prefered it fitted to something Like an AML...doesn't tend to move at all, in fact its pinpoint accurate

A machine gun is not meant 'pinpoint accurate'.
Its designed to put a cone of fire onto the enemy.

[Goldie fish]

Always prefered it fitted to something Like an AML...doesn't tend to move at all, in fact its pinpoint accurate

Or the deck of an OPV....

[Flamingo]

Thanks lads. I did reckon it was for display , also decided not to say so to the Cpl
peeping into the car. did not fancy standing in the shed for a couple of hours in the corner

I'm sure he would have been delighted with you showing an interest, and grateful for your input and suggestions

[spider]

The obvious answer to the apparent pointlessness of this is in Sofa's original post....

[sofa]

Thank you o wise one

[spider]

Thank you o wise one

Thank You for the accolade!!

The obvious answer was that they are Welsh, and known for their ballsy defences of outposts -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_defense_of_Rorke%27s_Drift.jpg

This was an attempt at humour, not an attack on your post!!

[Vanguard]

If it had of been fired it would have moved.
The Tripod Spades need to be in the ground.
Sand bags will also help placed on and around the tripod legs.
When firing the .5 the front leg aways jumps up so needs to be sand bagged.

With the tri-pod spades extended it jumps about an inch on 2-3 round bursts of fire, you dont need sandbags, its designed to be stable with the tri pod spades extended and corrects itself.

[Vanguard]

A number of years ago when going through the Newry checkpoint Some Welsh reg
was manning it. While Jones the Cpl was talking to me I noticed that they had a
point five on it's tripod facing south set up unsecured on top of a concrete block about waste high and not much wider then the tripod,

Could anyone who is in the know tell me if Jones the machine gunner started to fire the
weapon in that set up would he hurt himself or is that set up perfectly ok, ?

It was as a deterrant, in the early late 80s/early90s, up to 20 strong PIRA ASUs attacked remote border VCPs, with two 12.7mm calibre Soviet machine guns mounted on a lorry bed, flame throwers and GPMGs, all VCPs were issued with point fives.

[ArdMhacha]

Is this Cloghogue checkpoint your talking about, south side of Newry? Romeo One Five I think