Charlton Machinegun

[Woodsy]

The operating rod/gas piston extends quite a ways toward the rear of the receiver extension. A buffer assembly is mounted on the receiver extension. This should get the bolt stopped or dramatically slowed down before the bolthead slams into the locking abutment.
Then again, I'm assuming that this is what happens - haven't made the buffer assembly for mine yet.

Yes, there is a stop at the rear right of the action to arrest the travel of the piston/scroll plate. It does not cushion the impact but has an aluminium sleeve that acts as a 'dead blow' to counteract bounce. The bolt has about 2mm longtitudinal clearance in the cam slot and is able to travel this distance when the piston stops. The hinged plate at the rear of the action has a stop pin which abuts on the stump of the bolt handle, and when correctly fitted, stops the free movement of the bolt before the bolt head strikes the body wall. By careful fitting of both stops I was able to get the bolt back enough to still give 0.5mm clearance on the bolt head. As Peter has noted, these beasts are all individually hand-fitted to give 'reliable' operation. The following quote is direct from the original handbook; "This weapon should be employed as self-loading rifle capable of firing 30 or more aimed shots per minute, and also, in emergency, of firing automatic and thus providing a reserve of fire power within the unit." The handbook also reccomends to not use the fore grip at all but to fire from the prone position as per the Bren and Lewis guns with the left hand on the small of the stock, and for hip shooting to hold the left leg of the bipod which counteracts the tendency of the gun to pull to right.

It is hosing down here this morning so I will see what this afternoon is like before going to the range.