Is Full Auto Better Than Semi?

Published on August 4, 2023
Duration: 8:12

This video explores the practical utility of full-auto fire versus semi-auto for civilian shooters. While full-auto offers a significantly higher rate of fire, making it superior at very close distances (e.g., 7 yards for a build drill), its effectiveness diminishes rapidly with distance. At 50 yards, semi-auto begins to shine due to more deliberate shot placement, and by 110 yards, semi-auto is demonstrably more accurate. Full-auto also incurs greater wear and tear on the firearm, significantly higher ammunition expenditure, and increased cost of acquisition for civilians.

Quick Summary

Full-auto fire offers a superior rate of fire for very close engagements (e.g., 7 yards), but semi-auto is more accurate at distances of 50 yards and beyond. Full-auto also leads to increased firearm wear, higher ammunition costs, and greater acquisition expense for civilians.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Cool vs. Useful
  2. 00:43Full Auto Acquisition & Purpose
  3. 00:55Firearm Setup: BCM, Silencerco, Steiner
  4. 01:35Testing: 7 Yards Build Drill (Full vs. Semi)
  5. 01:57Testing: 50 Yards Burst vs. Semi
  6. 02:40Testing: 110 Yards Burst vs. Semi
  7. 03:22Downsides: Wear & Tear
  8. 03:51Downsides: Ammo Cost & Acquisition Cost
  9. 04:10Downsides: Accuracy & Suppressing Fire
  10. 04:36The 'Cool Factor' of Full Auto
  11. 04:55Conclusion: Viability for Civilians

Frequently Asked Questions

Is full-auto fire more accurate than semi-auto?

No, full-auto fire is generally less accurate than semi-auto, especially at distances beyond close quarters. While it excels at rapid engagement at very close ranges (like 7 yards), its effectiveness diminishes significantly at 50 yards and beyond, where semi-auto allows for more deliberate and precise shot placement.

What are the main disadvantages of using full-auto firearms?

The primary disadvantages of full-auto firearms include increased wear and tear on the weapon, significantly higher ammunition expenditure, and a much greater cost for civilian acquisition. Accuracy also suffers at longer distances compared to semi-automatic fire.

When is full-auto fire most useful?

Full-auto fire is most useful in very close-quarters engagements where a high rate of fire is critical for rapid target engagement, such as a build drill at 7 yards. It can also be employed for suppressing fire to control an area, though precise hits become difficult.

How does full-auto fire affect firearm longevity?

Full-auto fire dramatically increases the rate at which a firearm experiences wear and tear. The increased heat and sheer volume of rounds fired in rapid succession can degrade components much faster than semi-automatic fire, reducing the overall lifespan of the weapon.

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