Pair of Ross rifles from NZ

[browningautorifle]

I understand that the Browning Automatic Rifle employs oiling pads in the magazine to aid extraction.

Don't know where you got that, I owned three from all three eras of manufacture and none of the many magazines had any oiling pads.

[NORTHOF60]

Don't know where you got that, I owned three from all three eras of manufacture and none of the many magazines had any oiling pads.

I honestly don't recall the source. I thought that it was odd at the time, because I was instructed to keep a firearm chamber clean to oil to minimize bolt thrust, but as the M1918 BAR and it's variants are capable of fully automatic fire, and extraction is a major concern, I just mentally filed it away. If the information is incorrect, thanks for the clarification. I also read that some ammunition was waxed to aid extraction - is that incorrect?

[NORTHOF60]

I also read that some ammunition was waxed to aid extraction - is that incorrect?

This is off topic to the issues relating to the Ross rifle. A quick search answered my own question concerning waxed cartridges:

http://https://www.thefirearmblog.co...ation-process/

http://https://patents.google.com/patent/US2972947A/en

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSnwsSlu7Sk

Finally located the reference to lubricating pads in magazines: the Thompson Automatic Rifle, not the 1918 BAR:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US1322271

RIA: Thompson Model 1923 Autorifle Forgotten Weapons

response No. 7:

http://https://www.thehighroad.org/i...uality.750367/

[Surpmil]

So it seems the horror Ross stories are just that. Good to know, handy to question categorical statements in future.

Depends which stories you mean. Blow-backs did happen, but AFAWK, only due to misassembly.

[NORTHOF60]

Depends which stories you mean. Blow-backs did happen, but AFAWK, only due to misassembly.

I've read that it is easier to find a Ross Mk III with the bolt "safety rivet", than one without. You don't go to that much effort to prevent misassembly unless there is a definite problem - even if the modification is only to bolster user confidence. It will always be the "elephant in the room" with the Ross Mk III.