quote:

Originally posted by BillyBonesNY:
Agreed, firing squad is too good for this scum, he should be hanged from the neck like a common criminal.

I say, why not both?

Swinging targets are not new.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
[FLASH_VIDEO]<iframe frameborder="0" height="633" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y0LnX3RMF5M" title="SYMPATHY FOR TERRORISTS?" width="356"></iframe>[/FLASH_VIDEO]

Well said!

Let's make it pay per view and send the proceeds to the victims and their families.

I'll pay to watch.

I may get criticized for following up on something that many here will say, “Of course!” to, but it may be a subject not everyone has ever considered.

In an earlier post here some pundit was quoted as saying that the rifles of one or more members of a firing squad would be loaded with blanks so that “no one” would know who fired killing shots. I wasn’t the only one who responded by saying that the shooters would certainly know if they’d fired a blank or live round. I had to admit, however, that my opinion was based on general knowledge, not specific personal experience. So for the sake of the personal principle of actually knowing rather than assuming, I conducted an experiment today using these types of cartridges.





Two are American Eagle 308 Winchester AE308D, a 150 grain FMJ load, and the other is a 7.62x51mm NATO L31A1 blank cartridge produced by Hirtenberger Patronen in Austria. The blank case is produced by crimping the extended cartridge into a pointed shape similar to a bullet for reliable feeding and chambering. When the blank is fired, the hole in the crimped nose expands slightly. According to the ’net this blank is somewhat less powerful than other types, but it does produce a realistic discharge sound.

My test consisted of first loading two live rounds and one blank in each of two different magazines for a Tikka T3x CTR, with the cartridges in different positions in the two mags. Without looking at the loaded mags I “mixed” them in a container so that I didn’t know their positions. I then pulled one mag out and again without looking at it I locked it into the rifle’s magwell, chambered a round, and then fired the three cartridges. I did that twice along with going through the randomizing process both times. One time the first cartridge was the blank and the other time it was the second cartridge in the magazine.

When I fired the three cartridges in each magazine I of course instantly knew when I’d fired the blank. The report was less, but the main difference was the total lack of felt recoil. The live rounds produced the results I expected, and I had a slightly sore shoulder as a result. The rifle was equipped with a “compact” muzzle brake that would have reduced felt recoil slightly, but not much. Anyway, now I can say that yes, I conducted an experiment myself and the results were exactly what were expected.

As a final comment (yes, finally!) about the pundit that was quoted, without knowing who he is I would bet a nickel that he didn’t know anything about firing squads, but knew someone whom he believed did. After getting a description of the process from him, that of course made him an expert on the subject and which he could discuss with confidence.

I think the point may be that the ones firing the "blanks" wouldn't know they were using them until after the fact. I doubt that anyone would form a firing squad with members that had never shot a rifle before. Shit, that might result in another botched execution.

Even with a blank firing adapter (BFA) installed on an M1 or M14 rifle, which increases the back pressure so the rifle will cycle, it's easy to tell the difference.

We are assuming that a semi-automatic or select-fire rifle (M-1 or M-14) will be used. How different would the results/recoil feel be if a bolt action rifle is used (Remington 700 series) as the recoil is needed to cycle the bolt system?

Bolt action, semi-auto, or single shot: If you can't tell the difference between a live round and a blank, you haven't had much experience with rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by mesabi:
Bolt action, semi-auto, or single shot: If you can't tell the difference between a live round and a blank, you haven't had much experience with rifles.

That's it.

I think it will be either 1903A3 or M17, both chambering the 06 round.

Based on what? You really think the Army has a stock of "execution" '03s or 1917s?

I'm hoping for M107s.

Could also use Daisy Red Ryders until he succumbs.

Wouldn't technically know who took the "kill" shot.

quote:

Originally posted by 2BobTanner:
We are assuming that a semi-automatic or select-fire rifle (M-1 or M-14) will be used. How different would the results/recoil feel be if a bolt action rifle is used (Remington 700 series) as the recoil is needed to cycle the bolt system?

The recoil of a firearm is the equal and opposite reaction of the force required to send the bullet down range. No bullet, no recoil. I’ve never used a blank firing adapter but my google foo says it produces about 80% of the recoil of a live round, so it should still be noticeably different to any military shooter. And a blank without the adapter would of course produce basically zero recoil so now way in hades would you not notice.

quote:

Originally posted by mesabi:
Based on what? You really think the Army has a stock of "execution" '03s or 1917s?

I'm hoping for M107s.

I dont actually know but, images Ive seen of passed rifle squads, both military or of those in prisons, show men fireing 03 rifles or M17s. Those weapons are used for what we consider, as a civilized people, dirty deeds and, are likely locked away in a dark place so we or, those who must use them, dont have to reflect on useing them.

They could use a wiffle bat, but it will take a while.

quote:

Originally posted by 2BobTanner:
We are assuming that a semi-automatic or select-fire rifle (M-1 or M-14) will be used. How different would the results/recoil feel be if a bolt action rifle is used (Remington 700 series) as the recoil is needed to cycle the bolt system?

We used grenade & blank rounds for a 1903 line throwing gun in the coast guard (also used the m16)so I have experience in using blanks in a bolt gun as well as the auto)You most certainly can tell the lesser recoil of a blank or grenade round vs a live round.

Think real ammo vs squib. It’s that much different.