Charlton Machinegun

[tiriaq]

First time I made an AR barrel from a blank, I was unsure about the correct diameter of the gas port. Gas port sizes vary with barrel length and barrel diameter. I drilled an undersized hole, and went to the range with a battery operated electric drill and a set of numbered drills. Initially, the action would not open enough to eject and feed. I kept increasing the port diameter step by step until fired cases were reliably ejected, rounds fed, and the action would lock open on an empty magazine.
The Charlton gas system is interesting and a bit different. The piston does not extent all the way to the gas block/gas port. The pistol is relatively short, and there is a tube which brings gas back to the pistol face. I suspect that this affects the dwell time. The M-1 Garand system, for example, delivers a sharp impulse to the piston; the Charlton's would be softer.
A Charlton is a lot heavier than a rifle - this would also be a factor in the amount of perceived recoil.

Information

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[Woodsy]

I have tried to upload the video from yesterday's test firing. You can see how stable the rifle is during firing. This is obviously due to the extra weight, the efficient muzzle brake, and the soft gas system. I will open out the gas port shortly and go back to the range this afternoon.

Can anyone please advise me on how to get the video on line? The Milsurps website says the file is too large. There must be some way to get a link to the video. I am a dinosaur when it comes to electronic devices!

[5thBatt]

I have tried to upload the video from yesterday's test firing. You can see how stable the rifle is during firing. This is obviously due to the extra weight, the efficient muzzle brake, and the soft gas system. I will open out the gas port shortly and go back to the range this afternoon.

Can anyone please advise me on how to get the video on line? The Milsurps website says the file is too large. There must be some way to get a link to the video. I am a dinosaur when it comes to electronic devices!

Put it on Youtube then link it to here.

[Woodsy]

Another no-go today! The bolt seems to be getting full travel now but I need to make some adjustments to the bolt stop system to allow another 2-3mm of reaward travel to allow positive pick-up from the mag. The bolt just clears the back of the mag but bounces forward again before the cartridges can rise high enough. The system is designed to stop the bolt travel before the bolt head makes contact with the rear of the body, and there is still a bit of space to play with.

[mrclark303]

Another no-go today! The bolt seems to be getting full travel now but I need to make some adjustments to the bolt stop system to allow another 2-3mm of reaward travel to allow positive pick-up from the mag. The bolt just clears the back of the mag but bounces forward again before the cartridges can rise high enough. The system is designed to stop the bolt travel before the bolt head makes contact with the rear of the body, and there is still a bit of space to play with.

We are all waiting with anticipation Woodsy!

[tiriaq]

Just a thought - is the magazine spring a good strong one?

[Woodsy]

Just a thought - is the magazine spring a good strong one?

Yes, plenty of pressure with just one round. I loaded 20 just to bring the pressure up but that was not the problem.

[Woodsy]

Nothing happening on the Charlton until next week. Our local Rod & Gun Club has been asked to do a wild goat cull on one of the local high country runs this weekend so my AR15 will be getting a workout (and my old legs!).

[henry r]

Would you legally be able to take the charlton, if it was tuned in, or are you restricted on where and how it can be used?
(Ignoring that it would probably not be the best choice for clean culling)

[Woodsy]

Would you legally be able to take the charlton, if it was tuned in, or are you restricted on where and how it can be used?
(Ignoring that it would probably not be the best choice for clean culling)

No, because it is select-fire. As a manufacturing dealer I am allowed to test-fire only. When it is finished it will be transferred to my collector's ticket and then not be legally allowed to be fired (even though it will be fully capable). A collector's licence in NZ allows pistols and 'Restricted Weapons' (MG's, mortars, etc) to be securely held but not fired with live ammo (blanks for organised re-enactment, theatrical events, etc. is OK). Restricted Weapons have to be stored with a vital part removed and stored separately.