kolja
New Member
kolja
Note I never said impossible. My discussion is copied below.
I am sure I used the word can't somewhere in the discussion as it was used as shorthand while writing. That shorthand needs to be read with 'can't' meaning the discussion above.
Nothing technically is impossible. Many things just aren't worth the effort to achieve useful results. IIRC, there is a famous story of an alpini in Greece fighting off an attack with a Breda 30. He is often depicted in drawings as firing from the hip. He was defending a fixed location (not attacking or moving) which simplified things. There are other drawing where he is standing behind a rock with the Breda resting atop it. That is the more likely reality.
I will point out that it is very difficult and slow for a single individual to fire and reload the magazine while the fm is slung and you are standing. Just lining up the charger into the magazine, then ensuring the charger is pushed all the way so all the rounds are loaded isn't a snap when you are holding the weapon. This isn't a BAR or BREN where you yank out the empty magazine and toss, then merely slap a new mag in. You are possibly talking minutes to reload, especially if under pressure.
If you want, I can describe the issues with the gunner trying to reload the weapon by himself when firing from the bipod. It can be done, but it takes far more time than you think. I can describe the issues when reloading using a sling.
I have seen videos of people standing and holding a M2 50cal MG while firing. Does that mean you can fire a M2 from the hip?
So yes, it is possible. Is it something that can/will be done by everyone under all conditions? No. The weapon wasn't designed to do it.
Hi Jeff,
That's a fair enough assessment, I was just asking out of genuine curiosity, to query whether such a thing was ever attempted with a Breda 30, the way it was with other similarly awkward LMGs during the war. Certainly, if you have the time to share your experiences with loading and firing a Breda solo and/or from the sling, I'd love to hear them. It's always great to get more practical knowledge about these things from folks who've got some experience with them.