The Google-free Gun Trivia Thread

[jtcarm]

Judging from thread titles of late, we could use something a little light hearted.

For many years, I took pride in my encyclopedic knowledge of trivia, especially gun trivia.

Them along came the web, Alexa, and Siri to suck all the fun out of trivia.

So I thought it might be fun to test each other’s knowledge on gun-related trivia, with no outside assistance.

The only rules are:
1) web searches or other lifelines are strictly verboten. Answers must come from your own grey matter.
2) after answering, you must post a new question.

Even if you don’t answer, feel free to jump in and post a new question.

I’ll lead off:

What do the following acronyms mean?

RCBS
MEC
CCI
IMR

What was the original name of the .250 Savage (bonus points for why)?

[Totem Polar]

I’ll throw up a toughy: What is the correct spelling of the last name of the famous designer behind bullets like the starfire and the hydra-shok?
:D

[WDR]

CCI = Cascade Cartridge Inc

IMR = Improved Military Rifle

What company designed the original military 55gr M193 FMJ bullet?

[Jim Watson]

Rock Chuck Bullet Swage
Mayville Engineering Company
Cascade Cartridge Incorporated
Improved Military Rifle

.250-3000
I am not sure that preceded .250 Savage but it refers to 3000 fps muzzle velocity, for which they had to reduce the bullet weight to 87 grains.
Anecdote Alert: A guy here was completely sold on the .22-250 derivative but which he always referred to as the "two fifty."

[Borderland]

If you had a model 1895 Winchester and the barrel was marked 30 US, what ammo would you want to buy to feed it?

[okie john]

If you had a model 1895 Winchester and the barrel was marked 30 US, what ammo would you want to buy to feed it?

30-40 Krag


Okie John

[Jim Watson]

What is its nominal bore diameter?

[Inspector71]

Centerfire,rimfire, and ___fire. (fill in the blank).

[Balisong]

Centerfire,rimfire, and ___fire. (fill in the blank).

Pin

[Inspector71]

Pin

Correct !

[Lester Polfus]

I’ll throw up a toughy: What is the correct spelling of the last name of the famous designer behind bullets like the starfire and the hydra-shok?
:D

I'd like to buy a vowel...

[Inspector71]

What is a Mare’s Leg ? What actor is most associated with it ?

[Borderland]

What is a Mare’s Leg ? What actor is most associated with it ?

A cut down lever action rifle like the one that Steve McQueen used in the Bounty Hunter. I know that probably isn't correct but that's what I came up with.

[olstyn]

A cut down lever action rifle like the one that Steve McQueen used in the Bounty Hunter. I know that probably isn't correct but that's what I came up with.

It'll always be Zoe's gun from Firefly for me:
http://www.imfdb.org/images/thumb/8/81/FireflyZoe2.jpg/800px-FireflyZoe2.jpg

[jtcarm]

If you had a model 1895 Winchester and the barrel was marked 30 US, what ammo would you want to buy to feed it?

30-40 Krag.

[jtcarm]

We all know the .357 was the first cartridge ever dubbed “magnum.”

What inspired the name?

[jtcarm]

Shortly after the greatest battle implement ever devised went into service, it was found to have a serious shortcoming, requiring a change in design and retro-fitting of existing guns.

What was it?

[Jim Watson]

We all know the .357 was the first cartridge ever dubbed “magnum.”

What inspired the name?

Wrong from the start. It was the first REVOLVER cartridge dubbed magnum but there were magnum rifle rounds long before, the 1912 .375 H&H Belted Magnum being the best known.

Big wine bottle.

[Jim Watson]

Centerfire,rimfire, and ___fire. (fill in the blank).

Not just pin fire, but also cup fire and teat fire. I forget the name of the one with the priming in a belt around the middle of the case.

[jtcarm]

What is its nominal bore diameter?

Good one!

I’m spitballing, but since you didn’t specify groove or bullet diameter, I’m going to say land diameter.

[jtcarm]

Wrong from the start. It was the first REVOLVER cartridge dubbed magnum but there were magnum rifle rounds long before, the 1912 .375 H&H Belted Magnum being the best known.

Big wine bottle.

Specifically champagne,

Doug Wesson was a bit of a playboy and wanted the new revolver to be biggest and best, like a magnum of champagne.

I was under the impression H&H originally dubbed it “super”,

[Jim Watson]

The small bore originated as the .30 Super. Best I can tell, the .375 has always been a magnum.
If not, how about the 1907 .425 Westley Richards Magnum or the 1870s .500-.450 Black Powder Magnum.

[Wondering Beard]

I’ll throw up a toughy: What is the correct spelling of the last name of the famous designer behind bullets like the starfire and the hydra-shok?
:D

Couldn't spell it if my life depended on it and I could look it up. However, he is a friendly guy with whom I had a long discussion about ammo and bullets at SHOT many years ago.

[Wondering Beard]

A cut down lever action rifle like the one that Steve McQueen used in the Bounty Hunter Wanted: Dead or Alive. I know that probably isn't correct but that's what I came up with.

What was supposed to be the Mare's Leg caliber and what did it actually shoot?

Hint: what rounds were on Josh Randall's belt vs what he loaded the gun with?

[Borderland]

What was supposed to be the Mare's Leg caliber and what did it actually shoot?

Hint: what rounds were on Josh Randall's belt vs what he loaded the gun with?

Yeah, wrong series name. I watched so many I lost track. Looks like a model 94 but no idea what it actually was. 30-30 would be my guess but there were other models and cartridges.

[Half Moon]

What was supposed to be the Mare's Leg caliber and what did it actually shoot?

Hint: what rounds were on Josh Randall's belt vs what he loaded the gun with?

.45 Colt and .45-70. The Colt cartridges didn't look impressive enough to the Director's eyes.

[Joe S]

Shortly after the greatest battle implement ever devised went into service, it was found to have a serious shortcoming, requiring a change in design and retro-fitting of existing guns.

What was it?

Man, I wanna say Gunny Basilone with the M1917, knowing it's not correct, but that story is just so damn badass.

[Jared]

Shortly after the greatest battle implement ever devised went into service, it was found to have a serious shortcoming, requiring a change in design and retro-fitting of existing guns.

What was it?

M1 Garand

[Cory]

Shortly after the greatest battle implement ever devised went into service, it was found to have a serious shortcoming, requiring a change in design and retro-fitting of existing guns.

What was it?

The M1 Garand was famously referred to as the greatest battle implement ever devised. I'm not certain of it's shortcoming. I'm guessing it was related to the action closing on thumbs, OR it was related the pressures being to high and bending op-rods. I'm honestly not sure. I think the over-pressure op rod thing may be related to more modern ammo in current rifles. Also, I need a Garand eventually.

What is the name of the traditional Afghani rifle that is ornate, normally made with the action of an English rifle? At least I have a display version of one of those.

[farscott]

Shortly after the greatest battle implement ever devised went into service, it was found to have a serious shortcoming, requiring a change in design and retro-fitting of existing guns.

What was it?

The M1 Garand was originally designed with a gas trap as opposed to a gas port for the gas to run the action. The belief at the time was the port would erode from the hot gases or be difficult to manufacture consistently. The gas trap had issues with corrosion and accuracy. That was one of the two big issues. The other one was a failure to feed the seventh round of the en bloc clip; it was due to an issue with the receiver print. Both were corrected.

[Half Moon]

In 1914, DWM, of Germany, sued the US goverment for patent infringement of a firearm related component adopted by the US military. With the outbreak of WW1 the suit was deferred and after the US entered the war the patents were seized as enemy property. Ultimately though the patent seizure was ruled illegal and the US paid DWM a settlement.

What was the component?

[WDR]

In 1914, DWM, of Germany, sued the US goverment for patent infringement of a firearm related component adopted by the US military. With the outbreak of WW1 the suit was deferred and after the US entered the war the patents were seized as enemy property. Ultimately though the patent seizure was ruled illegal and the US paid DWM a settlement.

What was the component?

Not sure of the specific component, but didn't this have to do with the 1903 Springfield rifle copying the Mauser action?

[Half Moon]

Not sure of the specific component, but didn't this have to do with the 1903 Springfield rifle copying the Mauser action?

In this case, no. The US never got hit for copying the Mauser action. Pre-WW1 it did reach a settlement with Mauser for stealing the design of the stripper clip though, which may have inspired DWM's lawsuit at question here.

ETA: the DWM lawsuit was 1903 adjacent though...

[Caballoflaco]

What was supposed to be the Mare's Leg caliber and what did it actually shoot?

Hint: what rounds were on Josh Randall's belt vs what he loaded the gun with?

I know he had 45-70 on the belt. The prop gun used either .44-40 or .44 special.

[Half Moon]

I know he had 45-70 on the belt. The prop gun used either .44-40 or .44 special.

Ack! I was sure it was .45 Colt but, yep, .44-40 according to wikipedia...

[farscott]

I know he had 45-70 on the belt. The prop gun used either .44-40 or .44 special.

For some reason that I do not remember, I remember many prop revolvers were chambered in .38-40, including John Wayne's revolver.

[jtcarm]

The M1 Garand was originally designed with a gas trap as opposed to a gas port for the gas to run the action. The belief at the time was the port would erode from the hot gases or be difficult to manufacture consistently. The gas trap had issues with corrosion and accuracy. That was one of the two big issues. The other one was a failure to feed the seventh round of the en bloc clip; it was due to an issue with the receiver print. Both were corrected.

We have a winner!

[Jim Watson]

For some reason that I do not remember, I remember many prop revolvers were chambered in .38-40, including John Wayne's revolver.

Gunzine writer John Taffin bought a studio prop gun and found that barrel and cylinder were not the same caliber. Didn't matter for 5 in 1 blanks, but he had to rebuild it for bullets.

[FNFAN]

If you carried a QSPR in the war/conflict in Vietnam, what were you and your colleagues nickname?

[TGS]

What is the name of the traditional Afghani rifle that is ornate, normally made with the action of an English rifle? At least I have a display version of one of those.

Jezail

Question:

Due to a shortage of arms, Russia bought over 300,000 obsolete black powder Vetterli rifles from which country during WWI?

[Wondering Beard]

If you carried a QSPR in the war/conflict in Vietnam, what were you and your colleagues nickname?

Wouldn't that be tunnel rat?

I think this was the cut down and silenced revolver that they used.

[FNFAN]

Wouldn't that be tunnel rat?

I think this was the cut down and silenced revolver that they used.

Winner, Winner! Enjoy your Thanksgiving Dinner!

http://www.cartridgecollector.net/44-quiet-special-purpose-revolver

I've always been fascinated by this cartridge and the brilliant design. Sounds pretty bizarre but I actually met a gentleman who said he'd used one and they worked. He had a table at a Vegas gun show with a bunch of Vietnam era gear and had a t-shirt with an angry rat coming out of a hole. When I mentioned seeing the article about the QSPR in a magazine, his face lit up and he talked at length about having used that gun and ammo. He didn't want to talk about being in the tunnels at all but seemed happy to talk about the machinery.


Happy Thanksgiving!

[TGS]

Question:

Due to a shortage of arms, Russia bought over 300,000 obsolete black powder Vetterli rifles from which country during WWI?

Wanted to bring this thread back to the top since the action died off.

For anyone wondering, the correct answer is: Italy. Italy sold over 300,000 Vetterli-Vitali rifles to Russia, as Russia started the war with 1 million unarmed soldiers, and lost approximately 200,000 rifles per month due to combat. While most countries brought out their obsolete black powder breechloaders as stop gap rifles to arm ancilliary troops and for training units, the Russians bought practically anything and everything they could (provided ammunition was available), and put them in front-line service.

Next question:

What was the first production-run semi-automatic rifle to be fielded as a regular TO&E item (i.e. not a one off expeditionary/special purchase)? If you can't remember the name, a model year will suffice.

[farscott]

I thought the M1 Garand was the first general-issue semiauto rifle, but that seems too obvious. I think the M1 Garand was issued starting in 1939, so anything else would predate 1939.

[TGS]

I thought the M1 Garand was the first general-issue semiauto rifle, but that seems too obvious. I think the M1 Garand was issued starting in 1939, so anything else would predate 1939.

Not necessarily "general issue". A regular TO&E item can still be limited to TO&E for specific types of units besides infantry....such as the air wing, fortress corps, etc.

The answer will probably surprise most people.

[Caballoflaco]

Next question:

What was the first production-run semi-automatic rifle to be fielded as a regular TO&E item (i.e. not a one off expeditionary/special purchase)? If you can't remember the name, a model year will suffice.

I might be getting the orders of the letters mixed up, but it was the French RSC or (RCS) 1917. Issued to frontline troops during WW1. (ETA: x number per squad or platoon, not to entire armies)

[TGS]

I might be getting the orders of the letters mixed up, but it was the French RSC or (RCS) 1917. Issued to frontline troops during WW1. (ETA: x number per squad or platoon, not to entire armies)

A bit too late, but an excellent response regardless!

[Caballoflaco]

This one shouldn’t be too difficult, what was the first sub .30 caliber cartridge and rifle issued to any branch of the U.S. armed forces.

[Caballoflaco]

A bit too late, but an excellent response regardless!

I’ve got two other thoughts but I’ll give someone else a chance on this one.

[0ddl0t]

This one shouldn’t be too difficult, what was the first sub .30 caliber cartridge and rifle issued to any branch of the U.S. armed forces.

Tempted to say the M16 223/5.56, but upon further reflection I bet it was a 22 training rifle much earlier.


Which current US firearms company was founded by the son of a purported cult leader?

[rcbusmc24]

This one shouldn’t be too difficult, what was the first sub .30 caliber cartridge and rifle issued to any branch of the U.S. armed forces.

6mm Navy Lee? limited use by USMC and Naval landing parties in China and during the Spanish American war... We have one hanging on the wall next to all the other USMC Service rifles in the SNCO club at 8th & I....

[Lex Luthier]

Justin Moon owns Kahr Arms and Numrich Arms Corporation. His daddy was Sung Myung Moon, of the Unification Church.

If I recall correctly, the Mexican-designed, SiG-made 1908 Mondragon rifle in 7 x 57 was issued to the Imperial German Flying Corps as a spotter's carbine in 1915-16.
After synchronized machine guns became a thing, they were all given to the Kreigsmarine and were well used by destroyer and torpedo boat crews until the end of the war.

[Caballoflaco]

6mm Navy Lee? limited use by USMC and Naval landing parties in China and during the Spanish American war... We have one hanging on the wall next to all the other USMC Service rifles in the SNCO club at 8th & I....

That’s the one.

[TGS]

I thought the M1 Garand was the first general-issue semiauto rifle, but that seems too obvious. I think the M1 Garand was issued starting in 1939, so anything else would predate 1939.


I’ve got two other thoughts but I’ll give someone else a chance on this one.



If I recall correctly, the Mexican-designed, SiG-made 1908 Mondragon rifle in 7 x 57 was issued to the Imperial German Flying Corps as a spotter's carbine in 1915-16.
After synchronized machine guns became a thing, they were all given to the Kreigsmarine and were well used by destroyer and torpedo boat crews until the end of the war.

The correct answer is the Danish Madsen-Rasumussen M1896, an improved version of their 1888 model.

That's right......the Danes issued semi-auto rifles to units posted at coastal defense fortifications before the Mauser 98 hit the world stage. Eventually some guys thought, "Hey, this would be pretty fucking lit if we made it full auto, beefed it up, put a bigger magazine on it, and mounted it on a bipod".......and so was born the hugely successful Madsen LMG.

Lot's of great educated guesses on WWI, where there were plenty in use. The Russians with the Federov, fielded in a similar manner to the French RSC as a specialists' weapon organic to the rifle squad. In addition, several nations purchased Winchester 1907, 1910, Mondragon, and Remington Model 8 semi-auto rifles for use by aviation crews (airplane gunners and balloon corps) and as a boarding weapon on ships.

[Jim Watson]

Not the very first but I just like the way Ribeyrolles Carbine just rolls off the tongue.