Posted on 12/04/2017 9:35:31 AM PST by w1n1
The M30 Luftwaffe drilling (“triple”) was a survival weapon issued to Luftwaffe pilots during World War II. It was intended to be used in the event that a pilot was shot down, for defense and for hunting game to stay alive until rescue. For maximum versatility the M30 featured two 12 gauge shotgun barrels, and a 9.3x74mmR rifle barrel. They were manufactured by the German firm JP Sauer.
If you’re wondering why the rifle looks similar to a hunting rifle. Drilling has been a tradition of high German hunting culture dating back to the 19th century. The drillings were not guns for the common hunter but for the upper class, as they were heavily decorated.
The M30 drilling featured two 12 gauge barrels and a rifle barrel chambered for 9.3x73mm. The M30 was issued with with 20 rounds of 12 gauge birdshot shells, 25 twelve gauge slugs, and 20 rounds of 9x74mmR. It was typically stored disassembled in a crate with ammunition and accessories.
From the standpoint of survival the choice for such a weapon was ridiculous. At 42 inches in overall length weighing 7.5lbs they were large for a survival weapon, taking up a lot of valuable space and.. read the rest of the M30 Luftwaffe Drilling Survival Weapon here.
Heck of a lot of fuel spent carrying around that mostly useless weapon and ammo.
A long barrel .22 pistol with a shoulder stock with a couple hundred rounds stuffed in it would certainly fit better in my FW 190.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uJouw9uh84
Better off with a trusty 4 gauge.
You might even get airborne again.
These drilling are really finely crafted and they command a huge price if you can find one. They were primarily for Africa and the possibility of running into large, unfriendly predators.
I have two Sauer bolts, and they are sweet.
The US had it right with 1911s or .38 Special revolvers and later with folding .22s
I guess we should be grateful that the Germans made many such goofy decisions (such as no long-range heavy bombers until the He-177 - which was a intensely flammable monstrosity, or the Me-210/410, or sticking with the Ju-52 long after it was crazy obsolete, etc.,etc.).
“Heck of a lot of fuel spent carrying around that mostly useless weapon and ammo.”
I would trade my truck for one of them if I could find a taker.
In a former life (Marines), aircrew were issued 38’s, in my squadron when we went on cruise one could bring there own sidearm if they desired. I recall one guy brought a 357 and another an Uzi.
Not sure what is standard issue now.
I’d definitely trade your truck for one of them too.
That passes for a sentence on your lame site.
How dare this writer criticize the German Armed Forces? /s
I started with the .38 (1980), then the .45, and before I got out (2001) Aircrews were using the Beretta, 9mm.
Short a 10 gauge goose gun once. Now that was some kick.
“hort a 10 gauge goose gun once. Now that was some kick.”
I own a 10g double-barrel coach gun. Short barrel. Pretty old.
Two triggers, one for each barrel. But if you pull the right one, both light off.
I shot it once. Pulled the trigger that lights off both barrels.
Giant bruise, and I know how to hold a rifle.
Too true, but Hermann the German was a hunter and he knew what you needed better than you did.
The M30 would be suitable for any game, large to small, form rabbits to Rino and Elephant, all over the world.
But I think a silenced .22 that weighed 3 lbs with 200 rds of .22 would be more practical.
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