Drach, it was great to have you! Now you are a true gun expert having shot more guns that most Americans. You shot 34 different guns that day and we only got a small fraction on film. I was great having Mrs Drach. We are both making our debut on your channel today. We enjoyed having you both! If anyone has specific gun questions, I am happy to help answer.
In 20+ years in the US Army some of the best facial expressions I saw were soldiers firing the M2 for the first time. The most common remark? “I want one!”
One of the best perks of being a Cav Scout when we were mounted in M113s was the quality time spent with M2s....though there was a price paid when we had to clean them.
Two shooting stance tips from the military: Square your chest up to the target (more important with body armor). It helps get more mass behind the gun and helps keep the stock in your shoulder. Blading yourself in a stance like that makes you a smaller target and can give you more comfortable support for slow, aimed shots, but quick follow up shots and full auto can quickly push you around and jump out of your shoulder pocket without getting solidly behind the gun. Lean in to the gun, best achieved by giving your posterior a bit of a lift and slightly pushing it backwards (J-Lo booty). Not kidding, it actually helps if you're doing rapid fire.
I entered service with the US Marines in 1993. For a long time with the 90s and very early 2000s the bladed stance was the norm. Our body armor was nothing more than the flak vests, which wasn't going to stop an AK's round anyways. However, that changed eventually in the early 2000s. Interceptor Vests with SAPI plates arrived, and emphasis on maximizing the armor's exposure became vital. Using the older bladed stance narrowed your profile, but the sides of the new protection was far less comprehensive compared to the front and back. An isosceles-like stance with facing straight on became the standard so that more of you was protected by the armor. It took a lot to get used to the changes for me. I entered service with the M16A2 and flak jacket of the 90s, using the bladed stance 7, 8 years of experience and habits needed to change. I was so old fashioned that the very idea of seeing optics in general use by regular grunts and even later on, even ACOGs for non-combat arms guys blew my mind. Completely different from the 90s era of iron sights for most everyone.
@@Warmaker01 they still teach the "olympic" style stance if blading yourself to the target (at least when I was coaching on the range) for known distance slow fire, but they teach squaring off to the target and getting aggressively behind the gun for everything else. A lot has changed since I've gotten out though, they've dropped the standard rifle Qual entirely and have a new range system that's mostly focused on combat marksmanship rather than slow fire.
Drach, these videos are hands down my favorite (after the Voyage of the Damned because that’s just hilarious). As a SPAS 12 owner, I loved your commentary on it! On top of the metal buttstock, if you’re firing semi auto you have to use 3” magnums, which definitely have a different recoil from the 2 3/4” most shotguns fire. I’m so happy you got to have this experience! I’m beyond jealous of you shooting the Maxim.
I tend to have good luck with 2 3/4 00 buck in my SPAS but it definitely has to be the warm stuff. The low recoil loads won't cut it. I actually qualified with it and used it as my shotgun as a patrol deputy with a small department in Nevada.
@@Wpns175 The SPAS is a fun range toy for me now. My go to shotgun is a 590 A1. The SPAS is a little too complicated to effectively use in a high stress situation IMO.
Great Babylon 5 reference slipped in there! I think of Baltimore and the DC area as Mordor myself. I always think of the movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels whenever I see a BREN gun. As a fellow left-handed individual, I long ago forced myself to shoot long guns right handed. It is far easier to deal with the ejection paths of shells, as well as weapon manipulations. Pistols on the other hand I still shoot left-handed, as most modern semi-autos as well as revolvers are far more tolerant of ambidextrous use.
I liked the Babylon 5 (I have the complete series on DVD) reference also, which I consider to be one of the very best science fiction series of the 20th century, only surpassed by Star Trek. Keep in mind that Star Wars is science fantasy. I also thought that Mordor was a Lord of the Rings site?
Drach, I'm glad you had a good trip to the USA! In addition to the HUGE amount of fun in firing an automatic weapon or any other historical firearm, it is very educational to actually handle historical weapons. One can't fully appreciate the guns from spec sheets. You have to experience the noise, the weight of the gun and ammo, the dirt and grease, etc, etc. On the bad news, I am NOT a fan of "super slow mo" videos of firearms unless it is used to show the mechanical action (C&Rsenal is quite good at that).
@@WALTERBROADDUS One of my favorite nighttime activities is to leave the window open, listen sharp, and play that old guessing game, "Firework or Gunshot?".
About 2010, I was in Baltimore for a professional conference and stayed a few blocks from the Inner Harbor. I did to and from the Hilton on foot as well as walking to the Inner Harbor and to the Walters and Washington Square area. Was probably pretty risky then; I wouldn’t consider doing it today, even heeled. BTW, Baltimore had a lot of wonderful eating establishments, but Helmand was one of the most wonderful and interesting dining experiences I’ve had.
@@williammorris584 You were well within the safe parts of the city. I regularly travel that route on foot. We have a - not undeserved - reputation, but huge portions of the city are not dangerous to the average person. People who are hurt are generally not strangers to the attacker.
Glad you're still alive. I've been all over this country, and Baltimore and a particular hollow in WV are the only two places that I was moderately certain that I was about to die.
Baltimore is still pretty bad I live 90 minutes from there and I only go in or not far outside the inner harbour. Going out of that it's all the hood...
First- Back around 1990, prior to the official start of Gulf War 1, triage from automatic weapons in Philly was an everyday occurrence. Our national guard medics were 'encouraged' to take internships in Philly hospital ERs to get a crash course in treating automatic weapons wounds. Second- Mostly-True-Story A Nat. Guard Sergeant was in my dorm, he had to take 2 Humvees & and a Vietnam War era M113 APC to a 4th of July a parade & expo. They made the mistake of heading back to Frankford Armory by taking a shortcut through the "badlands" of North Philly. A one point, 2 Humvees pulled over to wait for the M113 to catch up: unfortunately, they stopped in the busiest open air drug market in Philly. Several guys approached the Humvees, told them "You're bad for business" and flashed some impressive full-auto firepower. The Humvee drivers were savvy enough to click their radios on so the M113 heard what was happening. A few seconds later, the M113 roars through the intersection, drifts sideways, slides to a stop, Sergeant pops the hatch, racks the (deactivated & ammo-less) .50 cal. and shouts "gentlemen, do we have a $&#**^% PROBLEM?!" About a third of the gang members just froze, about a third soiled themselves, and the remaining third began to apologize and back away. The Humvees took off and didn't stop, meanwhile the M113 clickety-clacked away, BUT since Sergeant was Polish, apparently, they took a celebratory detour through Port Richmond for Kielbasa, Pierogies, and Polish restaurants. Philadelphia Parking Authority Meter-Maid "HEY, you can't park a TANK in a no-parking zone!" Sergeant "No, YOU can't do anything ABOUT a TANK in a no-parking zone." Philadelphia Parking Authority Meter-Maid "You have a point there..."
@@HalSchirmer BEST. STORY. EVER!!!! Oml that would terrifying and insanely funny at the same time. Wish that .50 was live and had ammo so the gang bangers could see the 660 grains of half inch f*ck you b*tch pointing in there faces. Oh the looks on there faces had to be priceless as Gabriel Iglesias would say 😂😂😂
Thank you for sharing this with us Drach. Thank you John Moses Browning for taking the time to develop shooting technology that we all rely on and enjoy today.
The Ma Duece- our favorite 50 cal, is both powerful and long range- accurate at over half a mile and over a mile in the right hands. We had four of them on our ship during the Gulf War and myself and my shipmates of 2nd Division had need to use them. Three-round bursts were how we fired them.
I don't know what's more incredible, the fact you managed to impress multiple Americans who are clearly well versed in their firearms, or that Mrs. Drach willingly appeared in a video and not just as a voice behind the camera.
Good to see a .303 Bren in action. This was probably my favourite weapon in TA days 55 years ago. Nice to see you can fire right-handed when you have to. One tip - your left hand should be wrapped over the cut out part of the stock; this helps keep the stock in place in the shoulder. Lovely weapon, more like a high rate of fire sniper weapon than a machine gun.
Ran a .50 range in Germany with leftover World War II API-T (armor piercing incendiary tracer) ammunition. Besides the pure joy of shooting Ma Deuce, the impacts during the nightfire on a hill across the valley in front of us were like a bunch of camera flashes.
I love it when you can see the projectiles (or their tracers) ricochet up in the air. It's great when you get to see the gun flare and hot gasses on infrared.
This whole thing was wonderful. I'm so glad you had the chance to directly fire these weapons and experience it. It is righteously fun. Take the experience home and enjoy and educate. It's been good to see you on this side of the pond and I hope you will get back. As I have followed for some time and enjoyed and learned from every minute of it please keep it up. There is so much yet to be touched in your 300 or 400 year exposition and no one whose regaling I trust more. Bravo.
Drach, I'm 62 and I've been around guns all my life. As a new shooter, you do a wonderful job of introducing them to others. Excellant video. Trigger finger ! LOL.
That's not the sound of the cartridge links hitting the ground when firing the M2. It's the sound of $5 bills being spent. Awesome to see you having a great time, Drach! Glad Mrs. Drach got in on it too.
Drach, your channel brings a lot of people like me a lot of enjoyment and we really appreciate the serious amount of hard work you put in. So to see you having some fun in the name of "historical research" is great. Nice Z'ha'dum reference also.
I've always felt sorry for the southpaws that fired the M-16, and its many variants, without a brass deflector. Those things come out right in their face, and they're pretty damn warm!
@@marhawkman303 I knew a guy who had a perfect 5.56 case branded into his neck because the guy next to him on the range at Parris Island managed to launch one into the collar of his flak jacket.
Your slo-mo Lewis gun bit reminded me of the Bren gun scene in "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels." 😉 BTW, most pistol ranges have a aeven yard mark for combat handgun practice. Immensely helpful for mouseguns; in my youth I could be devastating with a tiny .25 Beretta 950 BS. I am glad your U.S. fans took such good care of you.
What a fun day at the range for the whole family with amazing guns. It will be hard to have more fun that! Good job Drach, crew, and Maryland Machine Gun Club. Thank you.
Ah the M2, 13,000 + foot-pounds of .50 cal freedom going down range with every cycle of the bolt. :-D So glad you got to experience this, looks like an awesome day!
Wow did not realize you visited the range I go to. Your friends picked a great place for you to shoot at, it's one of the best ranges in the Baltimore Washington region.
I went and saw the fort and a few of the ships in Baltimore harbor. You'll be fine in that area, parking is expensive but it's pretty safe. Generally the touristy areas lack the worst of the crime. That's true for /almost/ every city in America. If it's a sketchy area, you should be able to tell.
I went through Cincinnati years ago, in the day time after a Reds game [baseball].. Five young strapping guys headed to the university. Crossed into the Ghetto from business center. Locked all the doors, drove 45mph and didn't stop for anything until we came to the uni. Sketchy does NOT begin to describe it [1990's], only worse since.
@@sultanofsick I mean, I had no issues going between the harbor museums, the fort and then leaving. Haven't done Poe's house, if that's in a way more shady area. At least, for the interests of someone who only wants to see those particular items, there shouldn't be an issue, at least if you're going by car.
You say that...BUT that is the exact place where I had walk-around in full body armor, weapon, helmet uniform, etc. for several days due to the riots. That was the only time I was kind of sure I would be safe, because I had 175 of equally heavily armed friends! The Baltimore riots started to get bad when the attacked people just outside of Camden Yards. So...even the "safe" areas of B-more are not really safe.
@@Wpns175 I mean, you can't compare a city mid riot with the city the rest of the time. If that's the case you'll just be murdered in every major city of every country in the world.
They started us on an M-16 and I said, "Ok.. this is nice"... Then they gave me an M-60 and I said, "Damn... I could tear some crap up with this!!"... then they gave me Ma Deuce and I Saw God and became a JMB Acolyte.
My sporting goods store sells .50 cal rounds. They are stupidly huge compared to normal pistol and rifle rounds yet they are tiny compared to 20mm rounds. When you hear all the stories of naval pilots who took rounds in the thigh or shoulder, then continued with the mission, then flew a few more hours over open sea, then landed a shot up plane on a pitching carrier deck, you just have to say, "Damn, dude." Edit - In case anyone wonders, they retail starting around $7 per round, so if you go to the range to fire off, say 500 rounds, that's $3500. This was an expensive video for sure.
I was about to post Saburou Sakai's story since I (incorrectly) thought it was hit by a .50, but honestly being shot by "only" a .30-cal doesn't make this any less impressive: Sakai spotted a flight of eight aircraft orbiting near Tulagi. Believing they were another group of Wildcats, Sakai approached them from below and behind, aiming to catch them by surprise. However, he soon realised that he had made a mistake - the planes were in fact carrier-based bombers with rear-mounted machine guns. Despite this realisation, he had progressed too far into the attack to back off, and had no choice but to see it through. The SBD crews reported being attacked by two Zeros, one of which came in from directly astern and flew into the concentrated fire from their rear-mounted twin 7.62mm AN/M2 guns. The rear gunners claimed the Zero as a kill when it dove away in distress, in return for two planes damaged (one seriously). Sakai sustained serious wounds from the bombers' return fire. He was hit in the head by a .30 caliber bullet, injuring his skull and temporarily paralyzing the left side of his body. (The wound is described elsewhere as having destroyed the metal frame of his goggles, and having "creased" his skull, a glancing blow which broke the skin and made a furrow in, or even cracked the skull, but did not actually penetrate it). Shattered glass from the canopy temporarily blinded him in his right eye and reduced vision in his left eye severely. The Zero rolled inverted and descended towards the sea. Unable to see out of his left eye due to glass and blood from his serious head wound, Sakai's vision started to clear somewhat as tears cleared the blood from his eyes, and he was able to pull his plane out of the dive. Finally, the cold air blasting into the cockpit revived him enough to check his instruments, and he decided that by leaning the fuel mixture he might be able to return to the airfield at Rabaul. Although in agony from his injuries Sakai managed to fly his damaged Zero in a four-hour, 47-minute flight over 560 nmi (1,040 km; 640 mi) back to his base on Rabaul, using familiar volcanic peaks as guides. When he attempted to land at the airfield he nearly crashed into a line of parked Zeros but, after circling four times, and with the fuel gauge reading empty, he put his Zero down on the runway on his second attempt. After landing, he insisted on making his mission report to his superior officer before collapsing. Nishizawa drove him to a surgeon. Sakai was evacuated to Japan on 12 August, where he endured a long surgery without anesthesia. The surgery repaired some of the damage to his head, but was unable to restore full vision to his right eye. After the war, Sakai visited the US and met many of his former adversaries, including Lieutenant Commander Harold "Lew" Jones (1921-2009), the SBD Dauntless rear-seat gunner (piloted by Ensign Robert C. Shaw), who had wounded him.
@@vincentrees4970 well, most that haven't lived there pronounce is as "Nor-Folk". However natives like myself pronounce as is the folk is the F word. >.>
21:35 that killed me! Of course a brit would get confused when an American says to go full send. The whole time during this video, all I could think of was the "it's a machine gun" meme. I'm glad you had an awesome time on this side of the pond. Hope you make it a regular thing.
I came "this" close to purchasing an M-2 back in the day - just couldn't see hauling it around to the few places east of the Mississippi where it could be fired, and back then, the ammo was over a dollar a round - now, well . . . your hosts were most excellent !
I have seen exactly one for sale, marked down from $80k to the low low price of $60k. Even if I had been able to afford it, I am not well-built enough to move it around effectively and between the difficulty of transporting it and the ammo price it would have been a terrible idea,
@@magnificus8581 True. And since she was a naturalized citizen of the UK, Churchill wouldn't have any claim to US citizenship. But his mom is still American and is how Obama is somehow related to him.
I got a question for the "Trockendock" ;) What about the hearing protection or the lack off? in the naval history ... how did the sailor deal with it and how (or when) did navys tackle this issue .... I am glad you had the chance to get this experience, regardless that it was on the dry land. You worked hard for us, it's fair to have some time for yourself and family, friends to have some fun! Thanks for sharing the smiles ;)
Plenty of room left for he, and Mrs. Drach to find a home in. A very welcome immigrant. And, if he does, I'm sure there are many of us here who would chip in to get him his own Martini Henry.
@@beardo52 and a model 29 smith and Wesson dirty harry .44 magnum with a 8" barrel. He will feel the power of the eagle and some of our founding fathers that were good.. lol
USS Constellation in Baltimore is a fascinating little sloop-of-war with the unique distinction of being the last pure sailing ship designed and built by the US Navy. So, if you skipped Baltimore, you missed one, and now you have to come back. Pity.
"When Ma Deuce fires, everybody pays attention." - The Chieftain That looked like a blast. Firing 34 different guns in one day must be an unbelievably good time. Thanks for a very interesting vid.
And a Kosh reference. Now I _REALLY_ need to stay subscibed! 😍 Only been to ranges a few times, but discovered my chest does not like compressing every time a 7.62 or greater goes off. It was odd. Even standing 30 feet behind the line, outdoors, I still felt every round. Is that normal?
Aweeee... Good for the Mrs.... Proud of her being so brave... Also... DRACH... You never told us you were married to a beauty among women.... She honestly is quite gorgeous... She shouldn't worry about being filmed. No matter what her reason is. But she has her reasons, and that's for her own self
Even seeing them on video from this end of the firing, I can get a very small sense of how terrifying it would be to have that much metal flung in my general direction at very high velocities.
I'm super bummed that I didn't realize you were in my city (Bodymore, Murderland)... glad you had a good trip, D! A minor question... what is that soothing tune you use for the Fun Fridays theme?
There’s a war reenactment group in my area who has a member that owns an MG42. The use blanks of course, but it’s still a terrible thing to consider being down range.
The M2 really is a cut above anything else in the world of small arms. So are guys in the US with their generosity & willingness to share what they have. Thanks to covid, I've missed my twice a year visits over the Pond since November 2019 but will be spending most of November there & trying to regain my ability to hit something with a handgun...
I envy you Drach for being able to shoot the machine guns. I have shot a semi-auto BREN just before the ownership was banned. However I have no problem with shooting Martini-Henrys, Sniders or Trap-door Springfield and in fact pistols. But then I don't live in the UK, just live in the middle of the Irish Sea where such things are possible. Lots of naval history too Bligh of the "Bounty" was married in Kirk Conchan, Fletcher Christian was of Manx parentage and a Captain Quilliam , another local man was aboard HMS Victory at Trafalgar. Yes the Isle of Man has lots of naval history and connections and also can, at times, watch motor bikes flying along some of the local roads at 200mph+.
@@bwyseymail Practise week last week in May, Race week is the first in June. And then we have the Manx Grand Prix , which starts at the end of August, actually is starting next weekend. So another 2 weeks of bikes. Plus there is also the Southern Hundred on the Bilown Short Course at some point. I can never remember as I live in the north of the Island so the road closures don't really affect me.
Don't worry about the tan-lines on your arms after spending a couple of days in actual sunlight, as a Brit you have a lot more to be embarrassed about!
@@WALTERBROADDUS I can get good bbq anywhere, including here in Florida. What I can’t get are proper crabs or oysters. Gulf oysters are warm water and have a nasty after taste.
MANY COMMENTS! Maxim Gun: Her Kalu! We've spotted a sea mine! MP5: WIDE DRACH! Martini-Henry: *Sigs Men of Harlech* Cal. 50: Always a great sound. Except when your trying to sleep and they start firing. It was rather nice seeing Drach geting acquainted with some of the finer aspects of America.
The weapon used in Jaws actually came from the factory as a harpoon gun. Specifically, a WW Greener Light Harpoon Gun. Greener manufactured a number of different guns and gun-adjacent weapons using the Martini-Henry action, including shotguns.
@@Dick_Kickem69 Including the Egyptian Police shotgun in 14.5 gauge, with bottleneck cartridge and an annular groove to make it hard to use by the ungodly if they managed to get hold of it.
Drach, it was great to have you! Now you are a true gun expert having shot more guns that most Americans. You shot 34 different guns that day and we only got a small fraction on film. I was great having Mrs Drach. We are both making our debut on your channel today. We enjoyed having you both! If anyone has specific gun questions, I am happy to help answer.
Most amercans have guns. We have more guns than people in this country
"I was great having Mrs Drach"? You might want to rephrase that.
@@norahc. you just need to get your mind out of the gutter. However I did change it for you children.
@@MaximMachineGun It is still showing that way for me as well. Worth a good chuckle, especially your response lol
@@MaximMachineGun I'm a former sailor...I don't know how to get my mind out of the gutter. Roflmao
In 20+ years in the US Army some of the best facial expressions I saw were soldiers firing the M2 for the first time. The most common remark? “I want one!”
One of the best perks of being a Cav Scout when we were mounted in M113s was the quality time spent with M2s....though there was a price paid when we had to clean them.
There is a video from "over there" of a gunner getting the okay to go full cyclic. I believe he had a religious experience.
Second most common remark: Does it come in black?
Absolutely. Those words came out when I fired the Ma Deuce for the first time. I still want one. 👍
👍
"If you go to Zahadu- I mean Baltimore, you will die."
Well done on that reference. :)
Bodymore Murderland. It didn't get that name by accident.
I totally lost it laughing. I'm in Texas, but heard stories about Baltimore.
That, is the longest continuous burst off a Maxim I have ever seen filmed in glorious HD, well done sir.
Can only imagine what that cost.
I'll bet that touching the barrel right after that burst would not be a great idea.
@@kurtkuczynski I want to know how much the .50 cost. Arent they still like $5 a bullet?
Drach got flashbacks to an earlier life as a colonial soldier keeping the rabble down!😇
@in desperate need of a scotch Usually? really?
2.79/rd loose and 3.00/rd linked w/free shipping on SGammo right now.
Two shooting stance tips from the military:
Square your chest up to the target (more important with body armor). It helps get more mass behind the gun and helps keep the stock in your shoulder. Blading yourself in a stance like that makes you a smaller target and can give you more comfortable support for slow, aimed shots, but quick follow up shots and full auto can quickly push you around and jump out of your shoulder pocket without getting solidly behind the gun.
Lean in to the gun, best achieved by giving your posterior a bit of a lift and slightly pushing it backwards (J-Lo booty). Not kidding, it actually helps if you're doing rapid fire.
I entered service with the US Marines in 1993. For a long time with the 90s and very early 2000s the bladed stance was the norm. Our body armor was nothing more than the flak vests, which wasn't going to stop an AK's round anyways.
However, that changed eventually in the early 2000s. Interceptor Vests with SAPI plates arrived, and emphasis on maximizing the armor's exposure became vital. Using the older bladed stance narrowed your profile, but the sides of the new protection was far less comprehensive compared to the front and back. An isosceles-like stance with facing straight on became the standard so that more of you was protected by the armor.
It took a lot to get used to the changes for me. I entered service with the M16A2 and flak jacket of the 90s, using the bladed stance 7, 8 years of experience and habits needed to change.
I was so old fashioned that the very idea of seeing optics in general use by regular grunts and even later on, even ACOGs for non-combat arms guys blew my mind. Completely different from the 90s era of iron sights for most everyone.
I was thinking the same thing. His arm is going to be sore as hell for a few days.
@@Warmaker01 they still teach the "olympic" style stance if blading yourself to the target (at least when I was coaching on the range) for known distance slow fire, but they teach squaring off to the target and getting aggressively behind the gun for everything else. A lot has changed since I've gotten out though, they've dropped the standard rifle Qual entirely and have a new range system that's mostly focused on combat marksmanship rather than slow fire.
Honestly, always amusing and nice to see Europeans coming over and enjoying a little time at the range. Looked like a lot of fun.
Drach, these videos are hands down my favorite (after the Voyage of the Damned because that’s just hilarious). As a SPAS 12 owner, I loved your commentary on it! On top of the metal buttstock, if you’re firing semi auto you have to use 3” magnums, which definitely have a different recoil from the 2 3/4” most shotguns fire. I’m so happy you got to have this experience! I’m beyond jealous of you shooting the Maxim.
I tend to have good luck with 2 3/4 00 buck in my SPAS but it definitely has to be the warm stuff. The low recoil loads won't cut it. I actually qualified with it and used it as my shotgun as a patrol deputy with a small department in Nevada.
Have you seen Demo and Brandon Herrera's vids on the SPAS 12? I don't think I would want one.
@@Wpns175
The SPAS is a fun range toy for me now. My go to shotgun is a 590 A1. The SPAS is a little too complicated to effectively use in a high stress situation IMO.
Great Babylon 5 reference slipped in there! I think of Baltimore and the DC area as Mordor myself. I always think of the movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels whenever I see a BREN gun.
As a fellow left-handed individual, I long ago forced myself to shoot long guns right handed. It is far easier to deal with the ejection paths of shells, as well as weapon manipulations. Pistols on the other hand I still shoot left-handed, as most modern semi-autos as well as revolvers are far more tolerant of ambidextrous use.
Well in fairness, he went to Z'ha'dum and he did die.
@@wingracer1614 But he got better.
I liked the Babylon 5 (I have the complete series on DVD) reference also, which I consider to be one of the very best science fiction series of the 20th century, only surpassed by Star Trek. Keep in mind that Star Wars is science fantasy. I also thought that Mordor was a Lord of the Rings site?
@@vincentlavallee2779 It is. He's saying he thinks of Baltimore as Mordor instead of Z'ha'dum
@@wingracer1614 Nah, Mordor is modeled on the Metro Boston area.
Or at least the "parking" and traffic patterns.
Drach, I'm glad you had a good trip to the USA! In addition to the HUGE amount of fun in firing an automatic weapon or any other historical firearm, it is very educational to actually handle historical weapons. One can't fully appreciate the guns from spec sheets. You have to experience the noise, the weight of the gun and ammo, the dirt and grease, etc, etc. On the bad news, I am NOT a fan of "super slow mo" videos of firearms unless it is used to show the mechanical action (C&Rsenal is quite good at that).
I live about a mile from Baltimore City. Your friends, if anything, understated the danger. It makes Mos Eisley look right peaceful.
Too much crab Spice in the water. Drives folks nuts down there.
@@WALTERBROADDUS One of my favorite nighttime activities is to leave the window open, listen sharp, and play that old guessing game, "Firework or Gunshot?".
About 2010, I was in Baltimore for a professional conference and stayed a few blocks from the Inner Harbor. I did to and from the Hilton on foot as well as walking to the Inner Harbor and to the Walters and Washington Square area. Was probably pretty risky then; I wouldn’t consider doing it today, even heeled.
BTW, Baltimore had a lot of wonderful eating establishments, but Helmand was one of the most wonderful and interesting dining experiences I’ve had.
@@williammorris584 You were well within the safe parts of the city. I regularly travel that route on foot. We have a - not undeserved - reputation, but huge portions of the city are not dangerous to the average person. People who are hurt are generally not strangers to the attacker.
Glad you're still alive. I've been all over this country, and Baltimore and a particular hollow in WV are the only two places that I was moderately certain that I was about to die.
There are a few places in W.Va. where if you went off the road it's a safe bet only archaeologists will find your body.
Baltimore is still pretty bad I live 90 minutes from there and I only go in or not far outside the inner harbour. Going out of that it's all the hood...
First- Back around 1990, prior to the official start of Gulf War 1, triage from automatic weapons in Philly was an everyday occurrence. Our national guard medics were 'encouraged' to take internships in Philly hospital ERs to get a crash course in treating automatic weapons wounds.
Second- Mostly-True-Story
A Nat. Guard Sergeant was in my dorm, he had to take 2 Humvees & and a Vietnam War era M113 APC to a 4th of July a parade & expo. They made the mistake of heading back to Frankford Armory by taking a shortcut through the "badlands" of North Philly. A one point, 2 Humvees pulled over to wait for the M113 to catch up: unfortunately, they stopped in the busiest open air drug market in Philly.
Several guys approached the Humvees, told them "You're bad for business" and flashed some impressive full-auto firepower. The Humvee drivers were savvy enough to click their radios on so the M113 heard what was happening.
A few seconds later, the M113 roars through the intersection, drifts sideways, slides to a stop, Sergeant pops the hatch, racks the (deactivated & ammo-less) .50 cal. and shouts "gentlemen, do we have a $&#**^% PROBLEM?!"
About a third of the gang members just froze, about a third soiled themselves, and the remaining third began to apologize and back away.
The Humvees took off and didn't stop, meanwhile the M113 clickety-clacked away, BUT since Sergeant was Polish, apparently, they took a celebratory detour through Port Richmond for Kielbasa, Pierogies, and Polish restaurants.
Philadelphia Parking Authority Meter-Maid "HEY, you can't park a TANK in a no-parking zone!"
Sergeant "No, YOU can't do anything ABOUT a TANK in a no-parking zone."
Philadelphia Parking Authority Meter-Maid "You have a point there..."
@@HalSchirmer BEST. STORY. EVER!!!! Oml that would terrifying and insanely funny at the same time. Wish that .50 was live and had ammo so the gang bangers could see the 660 grains of half inch f*ck you b*tch pointing in there faces. Oh the looks on there faces had to be priceless as Gabriel Iglesias would say 😂😂😂
Welcome to America Drach! I hope you enjoyed your introduction to American culture. We like stuff that goes “boom”.
The world is ending we finally get two film clips of the elusive Mrs. Drac
LIKe seeing "Charlie" of Charlie's Angels....🤷🏽♂️
Or, Mae Winchester's "across the pond/home country" relative.
Wilson from home improvement haha
Thank you for sharing this with us Drach.
Thank you John Moses Browning for taking the time to develop shooting technology that we all rely on and enjoy today.
The Ma Duece- our favorite 50 cal, is both powerful and long range- accurate at over half a mile and over a mile in the right hands. We had four of them on our ship during the Gulf War and myself and my shipmates of 2nd Division had need to use them. Three-round bursts were how we fired them.
oh yeah, I've used one a few times, and they're not easy to keep on target.
Are you a STG?
@@timl8258 FC. Fire Control Tech- or at least was years ago.
Didn't Carlos Hathcock use a modified M2 with an early night vision scope attached to get a kill at some obscene distance, or is that a myth?
@@VintageCarHistory right on. I was a sonar tech and spent a lot of time with the M2.
I don't know what's more incredible, the fact you managed to impress multiple Americans who are clearly well versed in their firearms, or that Mrs. Drach willingly appeared in a video and not just as a voice behind the camera.
Although I do remember Mrs Drach appearing as a hand model in Let's Get Salty...
Drach, with that kind of long burst you need to yell "SUPPRESSING FIRE!"
Take that you hostile sons of bitches. Flint.
Good to see a .303 Bren in action. This was probably my favourite weapon in TA days 55 years ago. Nice to see you can fire right-handed when you have to. One tip - your left hand should be wrapped over the cut out part of the stock; this helps keep the stock in place in the shoulder. Lovely weapon, more like a high rate of fire sniper weapon than a machine gun.
Last time I was in the States I shot a biblical amount of firearms. Including old bolt stuff I never fired in the military Great times.
No Muzzle loaders or Trapdoor guns?
Yes, until you try it, most people don't realize how enjoyable it is.
From what I hear, firearms tourism is on a lot of foreigners to do list from outside the usa.
Lots of guns in your Bible? :P
@@Chasmodius Yes. The British Army's bible of Small Arms. Read it cover to cover.
Love the B5 reference ha! I just watched the entire series for the first time. Very underrated
Ran a .50 range in Germany with leftover World War II API-T (armor piercing incendiary tracer) ammunition. Besides the pure joy of shooting Ma Deuce, the impacts during the nightfire on a hill across the valley in front of us were like a bunch of camera flashes.
I love it when you can see the projectiles (or their tracers) ricochet up in the air. It's great when you get to see the gun flare and hot gasses on infrared.
This whole thing was wonderful. I'm so glad you had the chance to directly fire these weapons and experience it. It is righteously fun. Take the experience home and enjoy and educate. It's been good to see you on this side of the pond and I hope you will get back. As I have followed for some time and enjoyed and learned from every minute of it please keep it up. There is so much yet to be touched in your 300 or 400 year exposition and no one whose regaling I trust more. Bravo.
Drach, I'm 62 and I've been around guns all my life.
As a new shooter, you do a wonderful job of introducing them to others.
Excellant video.
Trigger finger ! LOL.
That's not the sound of the cartridge links hitting the ground when firing the M2. It's the sound of $5 bills being spent.
Awesome to see you having a great time, Drach! Glad Mrs. Drach got in on it too.
$7 at the store I work.
If you learn about the Google, you can find it for around $3 /S
Yeah machine guns are a rich man's hobby or a poor man's bane as their care and feeding is quite pricey.
Drach, your channel brings a lot of people like me a lot of enjoyment and we really appreciate the serious amount of hard work you put in. So to see you having some fun in the name of "historical research" is great. Nice Z'ha'dum reference also.
There's no more beautiful rainbow than a brass rainbow. 😊
That little nod of the head after the first burst on the M2 was utterly adorable!
I've always felt sorry for the southpaws that fired the M-16, and its many variants, without a brass deflector. Those things come out right in their face, and they're pretty damn warm!
I had scars across my forehead from ARs and Garands until I learned I was right eye dominant.
@@TheProcessEngineeratLarge heh, I managed to get an ejected casing stuck between my hand and the rifle, seared a crescent shape into my palm
I had many land on my arm and hand. I was lucky to never get any in the face. does tend to make concentrating on aim a bit more difficult.
@@revengefullobster4524 I never fired without full sleeves.... But I could feel the rounds bouncing off me.
@@marhawkman303 I knew a guy who had a perfect 5.56 case branded into his neck because the guy next to him on the range at Parris Island managed to launch one into the collar of his flak jacket.
I’m glad to see you having that much fun.
The Babylon 5 Kosh "quote" got me! Glad you had fun.
Your slo-mo Lewis gun bit reminded me of the Bren gun scene in "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels." 😉
BTW, most pistol ranges have a aeven yard mark for combat handgun practice. Immensely helpful for mouseguns; in my youth I could be devastating with a tiny .25 Beretta 950 BS.
I am glad your U.S. fans took such good care of you.
The Maxim gun reminded me of the end of "The Wild Bunch" where four soldiers are carrying out the Browning version of it.
What a fun day at the range for the whole family with amazing guns. It will be hard to have more fun that! Good job Drach, crew, and Maryland Machine Gun Club. Thank you.
Ah the M2, 13,000 + foot-pounds of .50 cal freedom going down range with every cycle of the bolt. :-D
So glad you got to experience this, looks like an awesome day!
Oh, and love the Babylon 5 reference at the start, that was hilarious.
Wow did not realize you visited the range I go to. Your friends picked a great place for you to shoot at, it's one of the best ranges in the Baltimore Washington region.
Awww, it's OK, Drach! We won't spread around the tragic loss of your girlish figure... much.
Whatever you did with the sound is great as I can listen with my headphones without blowing out my eardrums
Looks like you had a fun day at the range! MURICA!!! :D
Glad you had some 2A fun Drach. Remind us to never upset Mrs Drach, else she may Ma Deuce the offending party into oblivion.
I went and saw the fort and a few of the ships in Baltimore harbor. You'll be fine in that area, parking is expensive but it's pretty safe. Generally the touristy areas lack the worst of the crime. That's true for /almost/ every city in America. If it's a sketchy area, you should be able to tell.
I went through Cincinnati years ago, in the day time after a Reds game [baseball].. Five young strapping guys headed to the university. Crossed into the Ghetto from business center. Locked all the doors, drove 45mph and didn't stop for anything until we came to the uni. Sketchy does NOT begin to describe it [1990's], only worse since.
Sure. But in the case of Baltimore the "safe" area is literally ONE block that is COMPLETELY surrounded by absolute hell.
@@sultanofsick I mean, I had no issues going between the harbor museums, the fort and then leaving. Haven't done Poe's house, if that's in a way more shady area. At least, for the interests of someone who only wants to see those particular items, there shouldn't be an issue, at least if you're going by car.
You say that...BUT that is the exact place where I had walk-around in full body armor, weapon, helmet uniform, etc. for several days due to the riots. That was the only time I was kind of sure I would be safe, because I had 175 of equally heavily armed friends! The Baltimore riots started to get bad when the attacked people just outside of Camden Yards. So...even the "safe" areas of B-more are not really safe.
@@Wpns175 I mean, you can't compare a city mid riot with the city the rest of the time. If that's the case you'll just be murdered in every major city of every country in the world.
21:44 DUMP!!
This put a smile on my face
Glad you had fun. I hope you'll make more trips to the States in the future.
BROTHER, WE ALL OF US LOVE YOUR WORK. TRULY, THANK YOU .
Looks like a fun time had by all 😉 best wishes for future projects
Glad you got to come experience this "culture" we uniquely have among free western countries to its fullest!
Cheers!
They started us on an M-16 and I said, "Ok.. this is nice"... Then they gave me an M-60 and I said, "Damn... I could tear some crap up with this!!"... then they gave me Ma Deuce and I Saw God and became a JMB Acolyte.
Thank you, Drachinifel.
That looks like a great time! Who else expected Ian McCollum to pop up??
Thank you for this, Drach. Great video. Lots of good stuff.
My sporting goods store sells .50 cal rounds. They are stupidly huge compared to normal pistol and rifle rounds yet they are tiny compared to 20mm rounds. When you hear all the stories of naval pilots who took rounds in the thigh or shoulder, then continued with the mission, then flew a few more hours over open sea, then landed a shot up plane on a pitching carrier deck, you just have to say, "Damn, dude."
Edit - In case anyone wonders, they retail starting around $7 per round, so if you go to the range to fire off, say 500 rounds, that's $3500. This was an expensive video for sure.
I was about to post Saburou Sakai's story since I (incorrectly) thought it was hit by a .50, but honestly being shot by "only" a .30-cal doesn't make this any less impressive:
Sakai spotted a flight of eight aircraft orbiting near Tulagi. Believing they were another group of Wildcats, Sakai approached them from below and behind, aiming to catch them by surprise. However, he soon realised that he had made a mistake - the planes were in fact carrier-based bombers with rear-mounted machine guns. Despite this realisation, he had progressed too far into the attack to back off, and had no choice but to see it through.
The SBD crews reported being attacked by two Zeros, one of which came in from directly astern and flew into the concentrated fire from their rear-mounted twin 7.62mm AN/M2 guns. The rear gunners claimed the Zero as a kill when it dove away in distress, in return for two planes damaged (one seriously).
Sakai sustained serious wounds from the bombers' return fire. He was hit in the head by a .30 caliber bullet, injuring his skull and temporarily paralyzing the left side of his body. (The wound is described elsewhere as having destroyed the metal frame of his goggles, and having "creased" his skull, a glancing blow which broke the skin and made a furrow in, or even cracked the skull, but did not actually penetrate it). Shattered glass from the canopy temporarily blinded him in his right eye and reduced vision in his left eye severely. The Zero rolled inverted and descended towards the sea. Unable to see out of his left eye due to glass and blood from his serious head wound, Sakai's vision started to clear somewhat as tears cleared the blood from his eyes, and he was able to pull his plane out of the dive. Finally, the cold air blasting into the cockpit revived him enough to check his instruments, and he decided that by leaning the fuel mixture he might be able to return to the airfield at Rabaul.
Although in agony from his injuries Sakai managed to fly his damaged Zero in a four-hour, 47-minute flight over 560 nmi (1,040 km; 640 mi) back to his base on Rabaul, using familiar volcanic peaks as guides. When he attempted to land at the airfield he nearly crashed into a line of parked Zeros but, after circling four times, and with the fuel gauge reading empty, he put his Zero down on the runway on his second attempt. After landing, he insisted on making his mission report to his superior officer before collapsing. Nishizawa drove him to a surgeon. Sakai was evacuated to Japan on 12 August, where he endured a long surgery without anesthesia. The surgery repaired some of the damage to his head, but was unable to restore full vision to his right eye.
After the war, Sakai visited the US and met many of his former adversaries, including Lieutenant Commander Harold "Lew" Jones (1921-2009), the SBD Dauntless rear-seat gunner (piloted by Ensign Robert C. Shaw), who had wounded him.
@@BleedingUranium .30, cal, .50, whatever, I agree absolutely it's still an incredible story.
If you buy it linked by the can you can get a better deal than that.
@@johngalt2506 Yeah, but that doesn't help MY store, LOL.
2.79/rd loose and 3.00/rd linked w/free shipping on SGammo right now.
Looked like fun. Glad to see you had some great hospitality here in the good ole USA!
It's an M2! You don't need any justification to talk about/show it on YOUR channel!
Always glad to see visitors singing the song of my people! And remember, when shooting MGs, the holy incantation of “Get some! Get some!”
As someone native to tidewater. I appreciate that you pronounced Norfolk correctly ^.^
As a native Norfolk, UK, how do other people pronounce it...?
It's almost like he's British or something.
@@vincentrees4970 well, most that haven't lived there pronounce is as "Nor-Folk". However natives like myself pronounce as is the folk is the F word. >.>
@@mechanicalelizabeth Well whether you end up in Norfolk Naval Base or a Norfolk ditch you're definitely the F-word so fair shout.
Cheerleaders at Norfolk H.S.:
"We don't smoke
We don't drink
Nor-folk, Nor-folk"
21:35 that killed me! Of course a brit would get confused when an American says to go full send. The whole time during this video, all I could think of was the "it's a machine gun" meme.
I'm glad you had an awesome time on this side of the pond. Hope you make it a regular thing.
I thought of the "its a machine gun" meme too lol
Enjoyed meeting you at USS Alabama! Hope you enjoy wearing your Texas hat!
nothing like a Ma Deuce to put a smile on your face.
I came "this" close to purchasing an M-2 back in the day - just couldn't see hauling it around to the few places east of the Mississippi where it could be fired, and back then, the ammo was over a dollar a round - now, well . . . your hosts were most excellent !
I have seen exactly one for sale, marked down from $80k to the low low price of $60k. Even if I had been able to afford it, I am not well-built enough to move it around effectively and between the difficulty of transporting it and the ammo price it would have been a terrible idea,
glad you got to reap one of the greatest, if not the greatest right this country has to offer. we are glad you came and hope you come back soon
Drach, we call those tan's as "farmer tans" I grew up with that kind of tan as a teenager working on our farm in Washington state
Wtg Mrs. Drach!! Now you can keep Mr. Drach faithful!
I think that like Winston Churchill, we can make Drach an honorary American after that video!
Wasn't Churchill's mom American?
@@classifiedad1 yes, but he wasn't born here. He is one of 8 people that had an act of Congress to make him one.
@@magnificus8581 True. And since she was a naturalized citizen of the UK, Churchill wouldn't have any claim to US citizenship.
But his mom is still American and is how Obama is somehow related to him.
Great video, Drach. Great to see you and Mrs Drach having fun
I got a question for the "Trockendock" ;)
What about the hearing protection or the lack off? in the naval history ... how did the sailor deal with it and how (or when) did navys tackle this issue ....
I am glad you had the chance to get this experience, regardless that it was on the dry land. You worked hard for us, it's fair to have some time for yourself and family, friends to have some fun!
Thanks for sharing the smiles ;)
Also some absolutely cracking photos of you on this!
Awesome vid as always drach!
Fun video - so glad you enjoyed yourself ! ! Thanks for sharing your trip ! !
🙂😎👍
The more guns Drach shoots, the closer he becomes to being American
When the transformation is complete, he'll literally just be the Battleship New Jersey guy. XD
@@arsarma1808 lmao you're right
Plenty of room left for he, and Mrs. Drach to find a home in. A very welcome immigrant. And, if he does, I'm sure there are many of us here who would chip in to get him his own Martini Henry.
@@beardo52 and a model 29 smith and Wesson dirty harry .44 magnum with a 8" barrel. He will feel the power of the eagle and some of our founding fathers that were good.. lol
Dam what a blast!!! No idea that place existed. And never would have guessed in very blue Maryland!
You don't have to be a Republican to be a gun enthusiast and love military in general.
USS Constellation in Baltimore is a fascinating little sloop-of-war with the unique distinction of being the last pure sailing ship designed and built by the US Navy.
So, if you skipped Baltimore, you missed one, and now you have to come back.
Pity.
"When Ma Deuce fires, everybody pays attention." - The Chieftain
That looked like a blast. Firing 34 different guns in one day must be an unbelievably good time. Thanks for a very interesting vid.
And a Kosh reference. Now I _REALLY_ need to stay subscibed! 😍
Only been to ranges a few times, but discovered my chest does not like compressing every time a 7.62 or greater goes off. It was odd. Even standing 30 feet behind the line, outdoors, I still felt every round. Is that normal?
God, I need to take you to an indoor range and shoot my Scar 17s
The clang of the metallic target is so satisfying
Aweeee... Good for the Mrs.... Proud of her being so brave...
Also... DRACH... You never told us you were married to a beauty among women....
She honestly is quite gorgeous... She shouldn't worry about being filmed.
No matter what her reason is. But she has her reasons, and that's for her own self
Just watching the Maxim. Even the smoke shows up about half a second after the sound. So much folklore about "the one you hear", etc.
Even seeing them on video from this end of the firing, I can get a very small sense of how terrifying it would be to have that much metal flung in my general direction at very high velocities.
Ah, the giggle switch! So much fun, so many rounds gone so quickly!
I wish I knew you were going to the Wisconsin, I would loved to say hello!
Lever guns put a smile on anybody's face, Drach! Glad you had the chance to get some range time while you were here.
I'm super bummed that I didn't realize you were in my city (Bodymore, Murderland)... glad you had a good trip, D! A minor question... what is that soothing tune you use for the Fun Fridays theme?
What a great experience for you and the wife. Well done.
Babylon 5 reference = instant win :)
I've enjoyed your material for a few years now but you making an obscure Babylon 5 reference just made me a subscriber for life. Cheers my dude.
There’s a war reenactment group in my area who has a member that owns an MG42. The use blanks of course, but it’s still a terrible thing to consider being down range.
You are needlessly preoccupied with your appearance. Don't worry about it. You're awesome.
Glad to see you had a good time on your visit
That Maxim!
I'm shut in with Covid right now and this vid was VERY welcome.
At this rate, we're going to have Drach out at a Brutality match sooner rather than later!
The M2 really is a cut above anything else in the world of small arms.
So are guys in the US with their generosity & willingness to share what they have.
Thanks to covid, I've missed my twice a year visits over the Pond since November 2019 but will be spending most of November there & trying to regain my ability to hit something with a handgun...
that is a "farmer's tan" when its both arms
or "tourist tan" if only one
The Lewis gun with all the visible mechanics moving during each shot really make for an awesome cinematic slow motion
I envy you Drach for being able to shoot the machine guns. I have shot a semi-auto BREN just before the ownership was banned. However I have no problem with shooting Martini-Henrys, Sniders or Trap-door Springfield and in fact pistols. But then I don't live in the UK, just live in the middle of the Irish Sea where such things are possible. Lots of naval history too Bligh of the "Bounty" was married in Kirk Conchan, Fletcher Christian was of Manx parentage and a Captain Quilliam , another local man was aboard HMS Victory at Trafalgar.
Yes the Isle of Man has lots of naval history and connections and also can, at times, watch motor bikes flying along some of the local roads at 200mph+.
"at times"? Isn't the TT the first week in June?
@@bwyseymail Practise week last week in May, Race week is the first in June. And then we have the Manx Grand Prix , which starts at the end of August, actually is starting next weekend. So another 2 weeks of bikes. Plus there is also the Southern Hundred on the Bilown Short Course at some point. I can never remember as I live in the north of the Island so the road closures don't really affect me.
I used to work at that range as an RSO and know a bunch of those guys. Glad you got to meet them
Why slowmo bro?
Great stuff Drach. Nice to see Madame Drach shooting as well. More videos like this would be welcomed.
Don't worry about the tan-lines on your arms after spending a couple of days in actual sunlight, as a Brit you have a lot more to be embarrassed about!
Drach! So sorry I missed you in Norfolk. I didn't get to meet my hero, I shall now sulk all day.
Drach, during your stop in B’more did you stop by Phillips or Fells Point and take in the gloriousness of Maryland Cuisine (Old Bay on EVERYTHING)?
eh Phillips has gone down hill. Bo Brooks is where the locals go
@@Elios0000 Has it? Shame. I live in Florida now. Was last at Phillips for lunch in 2012.
No Chap's pit Beef?🤷🏽♂️🍖
@@WALTERBROADDUS I can get good bbq anywhere, including here in Florida. What I can’t get are proper crabs or oysters. Gulf oysters are warm water and have a nasty after taste.
@@davidtuttle7556 I must admit it's been awhile since I've had a good blue crab. Seafood has been kind of high lately. 🤔🦀🦞🦐
MANY COMMENTS!
Maxim Gun: Her Kalu! We've spotted a sea mine!
MP5: WIDE DRACH!
Martini-Henry: *Sigs Men of Harlech*
Cal. 50: Always a great sound. Except when your trying to sleep and they start firing.
It was rather nice seeing Drach geting acquainted with some of the finer aspects of America.
The Martini Henry has another notable "Naval" use (at least in the movies). Quin's "Harpoon" gun from "Jaws" was built out of a Martini Henry
The weapon used in Jaws actually came from the factory as a harpoon gun. Specifically, a WW Greener Light Harpoon Gun. Greener manufactured a number of different guns and gun-adjacent weapons using the Martini-Henry action, including shotguns.
@@Dick_Kickem69 Including the Egyptian Police shotgun in 14.5 gauge, with bottleneck cartridge and an annular groove to make it hard to use by the ungodly if they managed to get hold of it.
There’s a Forgotten Weapons video on the model of harpoon gun used in the movie.
I hope you your friends and family enjoyed your trip to America