Shooting a "Grease Gun"

[DeeDubya]

Some while back a Class 3 dealer buddy of mine brought out a Thompson (100% condition) and an M3A1 Grease Gun for our shooting enjoyment. I found the M3A1 even more difficult to control than the Thompson. The open breech trigger pull is at least 15 lbs and the gun is so light and non-ergonomic that it would be useful at only very close range. I think they were issued as tank guns because of their small size. Don't laugh please, I'm not a sub-machinegunner by any means. Notice the "trigger jerk" after the last round. Strange little gun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHEUjLWYQqQ

[GunnyGene]

The M3A1 was still being issued in Nam in '66. Thompson's could also be had on the black market in DaNang. Fired both myself, and they are difficult to control, but sure are fun.

[Snakedriver]

Being in the "Cav." in Vietnam, we carried about every kind of personal weapon there was including Thompsons and the M3. They fit nicely behind the seat of our rather cramped cockpits. If I recall correctly, the M3 was designed for tankers who had similar problems on the inside of their tanks.

It's fun (different) to shoot, more than almost anything else. No selector switch for "semi" fire, just "safe" & "auto" The cyclic rate is slow, espeicially when compared to my CAR-15, but the M3 was controlable to shoot fairly accurately. Not a long range gun by any means. Anything under 50 yards and you're good.

Thompsons were a hoot also!

[DeeDubya]

Here's my son with the Thompson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC7ZGAd-ZUc

Not bad for his first time with a "Chicago Typewriter".

[DixieLandMan]

We still had the Grease Guns in our armory when I joined the National Guard in the 1990's. This was the first fully automatic weapon that I ever shot.

[Maine04657]

A quality suppressor on the greese gun will get rid of the control ability issue for you..

[DeeDubya]

Originally Posted by Maine04657

A quality suppressor on the greese gun will get rid of the control ability issue for you..

HUH?

The control issues are from muzzle rise not noise. A compensator might help but I'm sure ole Sam would laugh in my face if I suggested it.

[whirley]

Called a grease gun because of it's comparatively slow rate of fire. It sounds like the old air operated grease guns used to lubricate cars during WW2 and before. It;s possible because of the slow cyclic rate to fire single shots. Ka-pok, ka-pok. Only safety was a closed cover on the ejection port. I fired eleven before I found one that was accurate at 50 yards. That one became MINE!

[DeeDubya]

Originally Posted by whirley

Called a grease gun because of it's comparatively slow rate of fire. It sounds like the old air operated grease guns used to lubricate cars during WW2 and before. It;s possible because of the slow cyclic rate to fire single shots. Ka-pok, ka-pok. Only safety was a closed cover on the ejection port. I fired eleven before I found one that was accurate at 50 yards. That one became MINE!

I thought the name implied that they looked like a grease gun, which they do. But now that you mention it, they sound like one too. Awesome. It appears that the barrel just screws off and would be quickly replaceable in the field. Is that correct?

[berto64]

I carried an M3 my 2d and 3d tour in country.. During the 3d tour rules came down to secure all arms in the arms room unless going out on mission, so I secured my M16 but my "personal" weapon was with me always.

[Maine04657]

Originally Posted by DeeDubya

HUH?

The control issues are from muzzle rise not noise. A compensator might help but I'm sure ole Sam would laugh in my face if I suggested it.

Ok I guess you are not a NFA guy. A suppressor does not just cut noise but can drastically reduce or almost eliminate muzzle jump ( recoil ). I have a AAC Cyclops for my 82A1 and with it on a kid can shoot it np. It reduces recoil about 80 percent or more over just the brake.

Here is a video of me shooting my m16 with a 10.5 inch barrel on fa with a suppressor attached note how little the muzzle moves. Sans suppressor it is all over the place. http://youtu.be/lAPDLp9rxDo

[DeeDubya]

Originally Posted by Maine04657

Ok I guess you are not a NFA guy. A suppressor does not just cut noise but can drastically reduce or almost eliminate muzzle jump ( recoil ). I have a AAC Cyclops for my 82A1 and with it on a kid can shoot it np. It reduces recoil about 80 percent or more over just the brake.

Here is a video of me shooting my m16 with a 10.5 inch barrel on fa with a suppressor attached note how little the muzzle moves. Sans suppressor it is all over the place. http://youtu.be/lAPDLp9rxDo

You're right I'm not a NFA guy. And I wasn't aware that a suppressor can so dramatically reduce recoil. However, I don't think I would put one on an M3A1 if for no other reason than appearance.

[Maine04657]

Originally Posted by DeeDubya

You're right I'm not a NFA guy. And I wasn't aware that a suppressor can so dramatically reduce recoil. However, I don't think I would put one on an M3A1 if for no other reason than appearance.

They can be threaded on and threaded right back off. I would rather be able to hit what I am aiming at then worry about how the firearm looks. MY m16 shown has a QD ( quick Detach ) flash hider allowing the suppressor to be screwed on with 4 turns and off with the same 4. However you need a good quality over mitt to take it off hot and it will sear the skin off you have with one mag dump though it.

You can use a simple thread on can and with a well made thread protector installed you will not even know the barrel was threaded.

This is what it looks like without the suppressor.

[soundguy]

anyone shot a thompson, greasgun, and a reising?

how do they all compair?

[Maine04657]

Originally Posted by soundguy

anyone shot a thompson, greasgun, and a reising?

how do they all compair?

I have shot all those. IMHO the best older sub gun was the Swedish K the best controllable sub gun of its time. The best modern sub gun IMHO is still the H&K mp5 I am a little bias as I love mine.

The best design for current production subguns is the Kriss they are amazing to shoot on fa. Of course we the people are unable to buy one..

[ampaterry]

I shot the M3 in basic training in the early 60's, but was never issued one to carry. For that, we had the M1 carbine, the AR15 (before it had the M16 designation), and the 1911.

It was slow, jumpy, but fun to shoot.

The instructor had these words of wisdom concerning the M3:

"This weapon is good to clear out a bar, and nothing more.
If you find yourself in a firefight and this is all you have, the first guy that gets shot, take his weapon and get rid of this one!"

[Snakedriver]

Originally Posted by Maine04657

I have shot all those. IMHO the best older sub gun was the Swedish K the best controllable sub gun of its time. The best modern sub gun IMHO is still the H&K mp5 I am a little bias as I love mine.

The best design for current production subguns is the Kriss they are amazing to shoot on fa. Of course we the people are unable to buy one..

I agree, Swedish K=Awesome. It would be nice to have a silenced version of one of those!

[rice paddy daddy]

Originally Posted by DeeDubya

Some while back a Class 3 dealer buddy of mine brought out a Thompson (100% condition) and an M3A1 Grease Gun for our shooting enjoyment. I found the M3A1 even more difficult to control than the Thompson. The open breech trigger pull is at least 15 lbs and the gun is so light and non-ergonomic that it would be useful at only very close range. I think they were issued as tank guns because of their small size. Don't laugh please, I'm not a sub-machinegunner by any means. Notice the "trigger jerk" after the last round. Strange little gun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHEUjLWYQqQ

That doesn't look like an -A1. Mine was an -A1 and did not have that cocking lever on it. You flipped open the cover and stuck a finger in a round cut out in the bolt and pulled it back to cock it.
Our Army outfit in Vietnam was OPCONed to the Marines and I got one from a Marine tanker for $35. It was my "fun gun".

[cpt-t]

I spent 2 tours in Viet Nam first tour was with a Mech Infanrty Unit, and we worked alot with Arnour Units and I belive that the Tanks that were used in Country at that time all came with 3 or 4 Grease Guns that were TO&E to each Tank. And the Tankers would use them as trading equipment sometimes. So they were avaiable to us quite often. The Grease Gun in the picture at the begining of this tread is an early model and the newer model did not have a cocking handel you just lifted the lid or dust cover and put your finger tip in a indented spot on the bolt and just pulled it back. The Barrel did just screw off had a spring detent of some kind that you pushed and the unscrew it. I personley like the grease gun and carried it on ocasions and for what is was designed for it was just great. The Thomson was super but it was heavy and hard for me to take apart in the field. The M2 Carbine was a very usefull weapon. The Swedish-K as others here have pointed out was Awesome. But a weapon that the Brits left was called a Sterling it was a great weapon 9mm, it had a 33 round mag I belive that went in on the left side of the weapon. I really liked that weapon. We used all these weapons plus our M-16 & CAR-15 my first tour. My second tour I flew Huey`s or Slick`s and I alway tried to keep a CAR-15 , Grease Gun, Swedish-K or a Sterling hanging on the back of my seat. With just a little practies all of these weapons were truely out standing and did what they were designed to do with out any problem. I know have a semi version of the of these weapons with the exception of the Grease Gun & Swedish-K. I guess i am reliving my Youth or something like that.
ken

[DesertRose]

My late father in law was issued a Grease gun while serving in in the Army in the Pacific in WW2. He loved it.

[SF Mike]

I had a rewat greasegun and a rewat 28 Thompson in high school.

In RVN I was out in a A Camp and we had pretty much freedom to carry what we wanted.
1st issued a new M2 Carbine popgun, and then a 16. A CAR followed that-great carry piece in thick bush.
I had a Swedish K and a silenced Sten.
We had little access to 9mm so I never took those to the field.
GGs fire about 400 rpm and are child's play to control.
So heavy that recoil is un noticeable.

I think a lot of people who complain about these things are folks with no training and never bothered to do a military enlistment.

All full autos were meant to be fired in short controlled bursts.
Dumping whole mags in combat occurs, but not generally recommended.

I thought the 3 round burst device for M16s was a good idea, but I never saw one.
Some recent discussions have suggested they did not work so well.

Grease guns were simple, reliable, and effective in their designated role.
Other calibers were tried, but the trust .45 acp stayed standard.

[soundguy]

Originally Posted by SF Mike

I think a lot of people who complain about these things are folks with no training and never bothered to do a military enlistment.

.

Military or not.. training is the key.

I've seen people that have never handled a gun much try to fire a full auto.. and nearly shoot up an entire range in a few seconds. then drop the thing scared of the 'evil' machinegun.

it's all about training and control, for sure.

[Eldorado]

I carried an old model M3 Grease Gun in "trucetime" Korea, from 1958-59. We only got to shoot them one afternoon, just to get rid of old .45 ammo. It was more scary than accurate which was one of its advantages. Out to 50 yards they were very effective, which was their purpose.
My last one was made by Guide Division of GM, but I swear I once had one made by AMCANCO. I believe they cost the government less than $30.
They were not only carried in tanks, but with the magazine in place they fit perfectly in the passenger side handle on the dashboard of most vehicles.
During my tour in Korea I recall seeing a picture of Fidel Castro in the hills of Cuba carrying the M3A1 and wondering why he could have a new one and I couldn't.

[WHSmithIV]

I personally am very jealous.

I would LOVE to fire some of these old Thompsons. With the cost of ammo today, just practicing with it would cost $100 in cartridges I'm sure for 6 minutes!