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Posted: 8/9/2009 9:38:13 AM EDT
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I'm thinking of getting a NFA weapon and have always like the S&W 76.
Does anyone have any info on them? Anyone shot one? Are mags easy to get? Very expensive? There seem to be some nice ones showing up lately and I thinking it might be time to get one. |
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I've got a MK 760. I think it's a fun gun but it's my first and only MG so I don't have anything to compare it to.
Mags are common and around $9 each. Eats lead bullet great so it's cheap to feed. Quality seems to be hit or miss. Some like mine are 100% reliable but others have problems. Spare parts are available from Scott Andrey Machine. You will need to replace the extractor every 2K rounds or so. |
| I've owned a S&W M76 since 1991, and have been pretty happy with its performance. Over the years, I've run over 10,000 rounds through it with no parts failures; it's still running the original extractor. I've only used $100/ea S&W magazines in it, although the modified Carl Gustav M45 magazines work just as well, from what I've read. They use a "double-column, double-feed" magazine of excellent design. My M76 needed a very slight chamfer cut on the barrel's chamber in order to feed properly. From examining other M76s, I've discovered that they are supposed to have this chamfer from the factory. As was mentioned, they feed lead bullets just fine, but seem to prefer ammo that runs on the "hotter" side of spec. Don't go too crazy with the ammo though, or you can batter the receiver's end cap retaining pin holes and/or the retaining pin itself. This is one thing to check on a used M76, when doing an inspection prior to purchase. The M76 runs at about 700 to 720 rpm with typical "store-bought" ammo, so you can easily do double-taps on automatic. They are very lightweight and the ergonomics and balance are great. Even though they are a light subgun, control during automatic fire is excellent. |
| The original S&W's are pretty cool guns, although not as nice as thre Swedish K's they are based upon. The 76's are considered C&R guns, so they will cost a little more than clones like the MK760. As noted, the 760's can be hit or miss. Some folks have great luck, while others have to do a lot to make their guns run. You might also want to check out the more recent SW (without the "&") 76's made by Jim Burgess. They are supposed to be well made and guaranteed to run. As a matter of fact, Burgess corrected a deficiency in the original design by improving the extractor. They will take most of the original 76 and clone parts, except the bolt. Here's a link to a Small Arms review article that may help.https://www.smallarmsreview.com/pdf/SW76.pdf |
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