A Swarm of Angry Bees: The American 180 .22LR Submachine Gun

Published on March 25, 2017
Duration: 21:31

This guide details the process of loading the distinctive drum magazine for the American 180 submachine gun and its subsequent operation. The American 180, a .22LR full-auto firearm known for its high rate of fire (1,200 RPM) and large capacity magazines (177 or 275 rounds), requires a specific loading procedure for its drum magazines. The video from Forgotten Weapons, featuring Ian McCollum, demonstrates the tedious manual stacking of rounds and the precise winding of the internal spring mechanism to ensure reliable feeding. The guide also covers the firearm's operation, emphasizing its open-bolt, full-auto-only nature and the unique 'sewing machine buzz' effect during firing. McCollum, a recognized expert in rare firearms, highlights its historical use by law enforcement and its current status as a popular recreational machine gun.

Quick Summary

The American 180 is a .22LR submachine gun renowned for its extreme rate of fire (1,200 RPM) and large-capacity drum magazines (177 or 275 rounds). Developed from Richard Casull's earlier designs, it was marketed to law enforcement for its perceived low-penetration rounds and high volume of fire, with notable use by the Utah prison system. Its operation is full-auto only, and loading the drum magazine involves a meticulous, multi-layered process with precise spring winding.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the American 180
  2. 01:07History and Design Origins
  3. 02:00Law Enforcement Marketing and Use
  4. 04:26Manufacturing and Legal History
  5. 06:35Maintenance and Variants
  6. 08:09Controls and Disassembly
  7. 10:51Feed System and Magazine Loading
  8. 13:34Range Performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the American 180 submachine gun?

The American 180 is a .22 Long Rifle (LR) submachine gun known for its exceptionally high rate of fire, approximately 1,200 rounds per minute. It utilizes large drum magazines, holding either 177 or 275 rounds, and was originally designed in the 1960s, with full-auto versions emerging in the 1970s.

How does the American 180's high rate of fire affect its performance?

Despite its small .22LR caliber, the American 180's high rate of fire creates a unique 'sewing machine buzz' effect and allows it to defeat barriers and body armor through sustained, concentrated fire on a single point.

What are the key features of the American 180's drum magazine?

The American 180 uses distinctive drum magazines, available in 177-round metal or 275-round plastic variants. Loading these magazines is a manual, multi-layered process requiring precise winding of an internal spring mechanism to ensure proper feeding during automatic fire.

What was the historical use of the American 180?

The American 180 was marketed to law enforcement agencies, with the Utah prison system notably adopting them for crowd control, sometimes equipped with early laser sights. Its low-penetration .22LR round was pitched as safer for urban environments, though its rate of fire proved effective against suspects.

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