THE CARTEL BUILT A .50 CAL SUBMACHINE GUN (Kind of)

Published on October 28, 2022
Duration: 12:28

This guide analyzes the technical feasibility of a cartel-built .50 BMG submachine gun, drawing on expert insights from Brandon Herrera. It delves into the physics of firearm operation, ballistic inefficiencies of short-barreled .50 BMGs, and the impracticality of direct blowback for such powerful rounds, concluding that such a weapon is highly unlikely to be a functional automatic firearm.

Quick Summary

Building a functional .50 BMG submachine gun is highly impractical due to the extreme pressures involved. Direct blowback systems, common in smaller SMGs, would require an impractically heavy bolt (estimated 29 lbs) for the .50 BMG. Furthermore, short barrels severely limit the round's ballistic efficiency, reducing its effective energy comparable to a .308 Winchester.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Cartel .50 Cal
  2. 00:47Origin and Skepticism
  3. 02:20Bolt-Action Theory
  4. 03:29Ballistic Inefficiency
  5. 06:08Physics of Blowback Systems
  6. 08:30The 29-Pound Bolt Calculation
  7. 10:22Energy Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Could a cartel realistically build a functional .50 BMG submachine gun?

Based on physics and firearm engineering principles, building a reliable and functional .50 BMG submachine gun, especially using direct blowback, is highly impractical. The immense pressures and bolt weight required make it an unlikely endeavor for improvised manufacturing.

What are the main challenges in creating a .50 BMG automatic weapon?

Key challenges include managing the extreme pressures of the .50 BMG round, requiring robust locking mechanisms. Direct blowback is impractical due to the massive bolt weight needed (estimated 29 lbs). Short barrels also severely limit velocity and energy.

How does a .50 BMG round perform from a short barrel?

A .50 BMG fired from a short barrel (like the estimated 7.5 inches) results in significant ballistic inefficiency. Powder may not fully combust, leading to reduced muzzle velocity and energy, comparable to smaller rifle cartridges like the .308 Winchester.

Why can't a .50 BMG use a direct blowback system like smaller SMGs?

Direct blowback relies on bolt mass to counteract recoil. For the high pressures of the .50 BMG, this would necessitate an impractically heavy bolt (around 29 lbs), making the firearm unwieldy and potentially unsafe without advanced engineering.

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