Would anyone use drums for "real SHTF"?

[CR]

I have two 75rd drums which I find comfortable to use for off-hand shooting. However, I have had jams (mostly when giving them gun to newbies to try) where the bullet would hit tohe bottom of the feeding ramp and stop, Removing the drum would chamber the round. I wonder how many of you consider Chinese 75-rounders to be reliable enough for fighting? Follow-up to that...Mak90 heats up FAST...how do you keep hands from getting burned? Wear gloves?

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Cornered Rat

http://dd-b.net/RKBA
"Juden Haben Waffen!"

[gopher29]

I have 2 of the 75 round drums myself and I feel they are best for situations in which one is in a situation where large amounts of surpressive firepower is needed. They are ideal for a scenerio in which you have a place to rest the gun on a bi-pod for a lengthy duration (hunker down) and just want to pour a lot of lead on the enemy. They are too heavy and noisy and bulky for running around with (30,40, and 55 rounders are better suited for that type of combat)

gopher
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sometimes we must come full-circle to find the truth

[56s]

The only real use for the 75 round drums would be in a fully automatic squad gun. A real AK will unload a 75 round in 7 seconds.
I have never seen a Chinese drum fail to feed or jam.
Take care, OUT

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56s

[JA]

All the 75 and 100 rd drums I have are 100% reliable. That is 10-75's and 2-100's which have been loaded and fired 10+ times each.
If you watched CNN a couple of years ago you would have seen the Kurds in northern Iraq used folding stock AK's and 75 rd drums. IMHO a couple of 75 rd drums over your shoulder and one in the rifle should cover most problems encountered.

[Necron99]

I would use the drums in an RPK in a defensive position, such as a roadblock/checkpoint or top of roof if defending a commercial area/business. Should keep most people from getting any stupid ideas when there is a manned light machine gun pointed at their SUV or car. Also good for a light support weapon in offensive roles as has been mentioned before.

[Drue]

I agree with the others. I have a drum, it works and I like it. However, it is big and heavy and it rattles. Three 30rnd mags are cheaper, more quiet, hold more rounds and do not interfere with rapid aiming. If I ran out of loaded mags I would not hesitate to use it but it would be last in the line. If I had an RPK it might be a different story.

Drue

[Chris C]

DRUM Mags are generally useful as Fire Support ONLY.
too bulky to carry on an extended march.
My Unit has dabbled in 75rnd drums and
battle rifles as SAWs.

Take the weight of, say, 6 30rnd AK mags and
multiply x5 to give yourselves an idea.

Chris

[Gary]

I concur with the application of drums in a defensive situation. They're heavy to lug around unless you have a SAW to feed.

[mrak1289x]

Give me the 30 pack for war. I don't trust them dougnuts for battle.

[hardcorps1775]

CR, you may not have wound up your spring tight enough or maybe loaded your drum wrong, I too have never had a feed problem w/my Chinese drums. As for the heating problem, that's all you can do is wear a glove until some enterpreneur comes up with a handguard with a heat shield inside...any takers??? Either that or shoot slower (not as fun but more accurate and cheaper!). http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/smile.gif

[Chris C]

oh and FYI...
i don't use the "doughnuts" myself.
i stick to 30rnd clips.
much easier to handle in a pinch.

cover your '6

Chris

[Lisl Auman]

All excellent responses. Defensive position and supressive fire are the reasons for the drum.

Don't forget that suppressive fire could mean:
Shooting you way out of your house/apt/?
Don't have to worry about some rattling because they know where you are anyway.
This is one of those times where VOLUME counts. You need a high volume of fire to break any unwanted contact or to maneuver.

And don't forget to throw the smoke before scooting. No use giving them a freebie.




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Lisl Auman, political prisoner in the US

[Packrat]

The drums are great for holding a position if you have about three of them, a couple of loaders, and plenty of ammo. But they are uncomfortable to carry or shoot from most positions.

I've never had any problem with them. I regard them as as dependable as the 30 rnd mags. But if you have one that doesn't work, or you don't trust, don't use it. Having to worry about your equipment is a distraction you don't need.

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Packrat

[mrak1289x]

No way, I don't think there very trust worthy. I'll stick with the stick mags for battle.

[Tread Head]

Got one drum for looks so to speak for my RPK. It works great. I sort of like the 40 rounders and 30's for the real show stuff. I know they will work 100%