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From: boyd@mailer.cc.fsu.edu (Mickey Boyd)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: magazine safetys
Message-ID: <35427@mimsy.umd.edu>
Date: 10 Jun 91 22:10:11 GMT
Sender: magnum@mimsy.umd.edu
Organization: Florida State University Computer Science Department
Lines: 41
Approved: gun-control@cs.umd.edu

In article <35396@mimsy.umd.edu>, maarrrk@gauss.ucsb.edu (Mark Erickson) writes:
#In article <35315@mimsy.umd.edu> boyd@mailer.cc.fsu.edu (Mickey Boyd) writes:
##That is, you can deactivate your weapon by taking out the magazine. Personally
##I think it is a bit stupid to make the action of a weapon dependent upon 
#							   ^^^^^^^^^
##a removable part that get's a lot of abuse.  
#
#	Isn't an autoloader without a magazine just an expensive, 
#	inconvenient single-shot pistol?  I seems to me that by definition 
#	an autoloader is dependent on the magazine....

As an entity, yes an autoloader is dependent upon some sort of ammo carrier.
My point was that if you manage to ding up a magazine just right, you can 
render your weapon totally inoperable (perhaps without you knowing it).  
Thus, 

    a)  A single shot is better than throwing rocks
    b)  Such a safety implies "more to go wrong".

Also, let us not forget something else.  For most types of mag safeties, it 
is easier to envision them "sticking" in unlocked mode than the other way 
around (that is, you pull out the mag and it can still fire).  I have SEEN 
this happen due to dirtiness.  Now you have an invisible INTANGIBLE safety.
Arrrgh!

#	I think that if my magazine was "tweaked," my S&W 4506 would 
#	start having feeding problems long before the magazine safety
#	malfunctioned.

It depends upon the way the mag safety is implemented.  However, you are 
right for the majority.
 
#	Also, the FBI S&W was specifically spec'ed out WITHOUT a
#	magazine safety....  Interesting...

Yup. 
-- 
             Mickey R. Boyd          |  "God is a comedian playing to an 
          FSU Computer Science       |      audience too afraid to laugh."
        Technical Support Group      |
      email:  boyd@fsucs.cs.fsu.edu  |                  - Voltaire