Page 114 - FAT 105 4.17 MOODLE

Following is an example of the cycle of opera-
Powered Guns/ tions for a Gatling-style action with six bar-

Gatling and Chain rels and an empty breech. For the purpose of
this example we will assume the action is a top
Operation feed system that rotates clockwise and call the
barrel in the 12 o’clock position Barrel 1. The
other barrels are numbered sequentially, coun-
terclockwise (behind the gun).
The Gatling and chain-type operations vary
greatly from previous actions that have been • Rounds are fed into the top of the action
discussed. First, the Gatling and chain-type op- by some means. The crank is rotated,
erations are typically restricted for large caliber, dropping single rounds into the groove
mounted machine guns. Second, both actions of the carrier aligned with Barrel 1.
do not rely on either recoil energy or gas pres- Simultaneously, the lock cylinder moves
sure to cycle the action; they are both cycled by back. (1)
an external mechanical means. Third, both sys-
• The crank is rotated, moving the system
tems are typically belt-fed, or fed by a very large
clockwise and bringing Barrel 2 into
capacity magazine.
the 12 o’clock position. Simultaneously,
GATLING OPERATION a round drops down into the second
groove of the carrier and the lock cylin-
The Gatling-style operation is one of the old- der moves forward and the fire control
est repeating/self-loading action types. The group is cocked. The first barrel is now
Gatling-style action was patented in 1862 by roughly in the 2 o’clock position with a
Dr. Richard J. Gatling and is still in use today round locked in the chamber. (2)
in a similar form. The original Gatling gun was
• The crank continues to rotate, mov-
hand-driven via crank but was later equipped
ing the lock cylinder back once more,
with an external drive.
and moves the third barrel into the 12
The Gatling system utilizes multiple barrels
o’clock position and drops a cartridge
(6 – 10), a carrier and a lock cylinder that all
into the third groove of the carrier. The
revolve around a centralized shaft. These indi-
crank continues around, moving the lock
vidual parts rotate while being in a fixed posi-
cylinder forward while simultaneously
tion to each other (the same barrel, groove of
the first barrel moves roughly into the
the carrier, and position of the lock cylinder stay
4 o’clock position, where a trip releases
aligned). When the crank is driven, the shaft
the firing piece and fires Barrel 1 while
rotates, spinning the barrels, carrier, and lock
Barrel 2 is moved to the 2 o’clock posi-
cylinder with it. The carrier is grooved around
tion and locked. (3)
its circumference to accommodate cartridges,
while the locking cylinder has reliefs around its • The crank continues to rotate, moving
face to accommodate the cartridge heads. As the lock cylinder back once more and
the shaft spins, it activates linkage that forces extracting the empty case with it. The
the locking cylinder to reciprocate (move back barrel moves into the 12 o’clock position
and forth), locking and unlocking the chamber and a cartridge drops into the fourth
via locking surfaces on the lock cylinder and the groove of the carrier. The crank contin-
barrels. Cartridges are fed from the side or above ues around, moving the lock cylinder
by various means (hopper, drum, magazine, belt) forward while simultaneously the first
and a single round will fall down into the first barrel moves roughly into the 6 o’clock
groove of the carrier. position. The empty case is kicked out of

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