Why do we call it that?

[TomSudz]

I'm guessing if there's a place to find the right answer this is it. I've been wondering about this and have just now though to ask.

I know full auto is referred to as "Rock and roll" but any idea where this came from? I'm just kind of wondering why we call it that.

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[0311Shooter]

Although I was not in country of VN, a guy I knew was, lost a leg. The first time I ever heard FA being referred as "Rock and Roll" came from him.

[John Kepler]

"Rock and roll is made loud to be played loud!" P. Specter

Play "Electric Ladyland" by Hendrix for an even clearer reason!

[Quarks]

I'm guessing if there's a place to find the right answer this is it. I've been wondering about this and have just now though to ask.

I know full auto is referred to as "Rock and roll" but any idea where this came from? I'm just kind of wondering why we call it that.

Wikipedia: "...During the Vietnam war, the term "Rock and Roll" referred to firing an automatic weapon (usually the M-16 assault rifle) on full automatic while held at the hip like a guitar. They often used the term "Let's Rock and Roll." "

Makes sense, firing the mouse gun from the hip does sort of look like you're playing a guitar in a rock band.

[JB White]

Is that roughly about the time the selector was nicknamed the "Go-Go Switch"?

[Jim K]

Just slang terms, both from the world of rock music. Most folks who have fired a powerful FA weapon hand held probably consider the use of "rock" terms to be appropriate.

Jim

[duggaboy]

in my work, when we need to get it done quick, it has always been let's rock and roll, menaing let's get it on, now do you understand what rock and roll means to someone about to start shooting or anything else that is quick and cool?

[Vern Humphrey]

Makes sense, firing the mouse gun from the hip does sort of look like you're playing a guitar in a rock band.

And is just about as tactically effective.

[John Kepler]

Hey Vern! No one hit with ANY high-velocity bullet is having a particularly good day....and has a LOT more to worry about than messing with me! Also, anything you can do with an M16, you can do with an M249, only more and longer!

[Jim K]

Actually, I didn't mean that a person firing a machinegun from the hip looks like a rock guitarist, I meant the rocking and torquing action of the gun itself. Even the M3A1 SMG rocks, as recoil drives it up and back, then the massive bolt slamming forward pushes it back down again. An M60 or a M1919A6 rocks quite a bit when hand held. (Not being John Wayne, I have never fired a Ma Deuce from the hip, but I am sure it would really rock!)

Jim