Origins of the Multi-Lug Rotating Bolt
The multi-lug rotating bolt as used in a number of semi-automatic firearms today has a significant number of advantages over numerous other designs, to include tilt locking or blowback operated mechanisms. Ability to unlock becomes easier than a standard two lug design, the forces on the lugs are much more evenly distributed, even if one lug does shear off, this might not affect the others during a course of fire. But what are the origins of this design feature that is seen in almost every modern day semi-automatic weapon? Stoner is rightly credited with bringing the concept to fruition, but where did he get it from? Many say Stoner was inspired by Melvin Johnson, but this episode will show that there is actually an 1800s design that features almost identical aspects of the current Stoner piece.
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Transcript ….
[coming soon]
Infantry Marine, based in the Midwest. Specifically interested in small arms history, development, and usage within the MENA region and Central Asia. To that end, I run Silah Report, a website dedicated to analyzing small arms history and news out of MENA and Central Asia.Please feel free to get in touch with me about something I can add to a post, an error I've made, or if you just want to talk guns. I can be reached at miles@tfb.tv
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And I would have thought it originated with the French breach loading artillery...or did it...duhn duhn duhn duhn.
That's why I'm more comfortable with a Benelli (Franci, Stoeger) or a Winchester shotgun- rotating locking bolt.