Talk:Telescoping bolt

Images
This article desperately needs a drawing! If you understand how the mechanism works, please create one. --BjKa 11:54, 15 August 2006 (UTC)


 * Update: Done. Georgewilliamherbert kindly provided images on 2007-01-04. — Lumbercutter 02:18, 21 May 2007 (UTC)

Advantages of concept shown erroneously
The size advantage of Uzi (depicted as an example of SMG with telescopic overhung bolt) relative to the MP40 (as an example of traditional SMG) is in most part not due to the overhung bolt construction. The MP40 is deliberately built to be a longer, carbine-like weapon, while the Uzi is purposefully miniaturized. The principal difference lies not in any single design feature but the design philosophy as a whole.

The MP40 is also portrayed with its folding stock in the open position, the Uzi on the other hand in the retracted position. Difference in size is much less when both firearms are in their shoulder-firing configuration, and even less when both have their stocks folded(as indirectly mentioned in text).

Even though the Uzi obviously benefits from its telescopic action, an almost equally compact SMG would have been possible utilizing the basic construction of the MP40, with the pistol grip moved forward and using a shorter folding stock. Also it is not by any means necessary or very useful to have a 251-millimeter barrel if short overall length is desired.

Especially the weight difference between Uzi and MP40 has nothing to do with the benefits of said design feature. There is no reason to assume that minimizing weight was a design goal for the developers of the MP40, a traditional military weapon identical to many earlier ones in everything but cost of manufacture. There is also no reason to believe the MP40 could not have been made 500 grams lighter if desired. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.133.35.146 (talk) 00:59, 13 November 2012 (UTC)

Article Deserves More Attention
The telescoping bolt is a SUUUUUPER important milestone in the history of firearms. Think Colt 1911. The basic mechanism was invented by JM Browning. I wish I had the time to edit this and add to it. I'll try to get back to it, but I probably won't.