Blowback (firearms)

Blowback is a system of operation for self-loading firearms that obtains energy from the motion of the cartridge case as it is
pushed to the rear by expanding gas created by the ignition of the propellant charge.[1]

Several blowback systems exist within this broad principle of operation, each distinguished by the methods used to control bolt
movement. In most actions that use blowback operation, the breech is not locked mechanically at the time of firing: the inertia of
the bolt and recoil spring(s), relative to the weight of the bullet, delay opening of the breech until the bullet has left the barrel.[2]
A few locked breech designs use a form of blowback (example: primer actuation) to perform the unlocking function.

The blowback principle may be considered a simplified form of gas operation, since the cartridge case behaves like a piston
driven by the powder gases.[1] Other operating principles for self-loading firearms include blow forward, gas operation, and
recoil operation.

Contents
Principle of operation
Simple blowback
Advanced primer ignition (API) blowback
Delayed blowback
Roller-delayed
Lever-delayed
Gas-delayed
Chamber-ring delayed
Hesitation locked
Toggle-delayed
Off-axis bolt travel
Radial-delayed
Screw-delayed
Other blowback systems
Floating chamber
Primer actuated
Case setback
Limited-utility designs
Blish lock
Savage rotating barrel
Other autoloading systems
See also
References
Bibliography
External links

Principle of operation
The blowback system is generally defined as an operating system in which energy to operate the firearm's various mechanisms
and provide automation is derived from the movement of the spent cartridge case pushed out of the chamber by rapidly
expanding powder gases.[3] This rearward thrust, imparted against the breech, is a direct result of the expansion of propellant
gases.[3] Certain guns will use energy from blowback to perform the entire operating cycle (these are typically designs using
relatively "low pressure" ammunition) while others will use a portion of the blowback to operate only certain parts of the cycle or
simply use the blowback energy to enhance the operational energy from another system of automatic operation.[3]

What is common to all blowback systems is that the cartridge case must move under the direct action of the powder pressure,
therefore any gun in which the bolt is not rigidly locked and permitted to move while there remains powder pressure in the
chamber will undergo a degree of blowback action.[3] The energy from the expansion of gases on firing appears in the form of
kinetic energy transmitted to the bolt mechanism, which is controlled and used to operate the firearm's operation cycle. The extent
to which blowback is employed largely depends on the manner used to control the movement of the bolt and the proportion of
energy drawn from other systems of operation.[1] How the movement of the bolt is controlled is where blowback systems differ.
Blowback operation is most often divided into three categories, all using residual pressure to complete the cycle of operation:
simple blowback (often just "blowback"), delayed/retarded blowback, and advanced primer ignition.

Relating blowback to other types of automatic firearm operation, George M. Chinn wrote that: "In the larger sense, blowback
might well be considered a special form of gas operation. This is reasonable because the cartridge case may be conceived of as a
sort of piston driven by the powder gases. Actually, blowback involves so many special problems that it is best considered to be
in a class by itself. The question whether or not it should be included within the more general class of gas operation or recoil
operation is purely academic. The important point is that it partakes some of the properties of both classes and, depending on the
particular problem at hand, may be considered to be either one."[1]

Simple blowback
The blowback (sometimes referred to as "simple", "straight" or "pure"
blowback) system represents the most basic auto loading operation type. In a
blowback mechanism, the bolt rests against the rear of the barrel, but is not
locked in place. At the point of ignition, expanding gases push the bullet forward
through the barrel while at the same time pushing the case rearward against the
bolt. The expanding gases push the bolt assembly to the rear, but the motion is
slowed by the mass of the bolt, internal friction, and the force required to Animation of simple blowback
compress the action spring. The design must ensure that the delay is long operation
enough that the bullet exits the barrel before the cartridge case clears the
chamber. The empty case is ejected as the bolt travels to the rear. The stored
energy of the compressed action spring then drives the bolt forward (although not until the trigger is pulled if the weapon fires
from an open bolt). A new cartridge is stripped from the magazine and chambered as the bolt returns to its in-battery position.

The blowback system is practical for firearms using relatively low-power cartridges with lighter weight bullets. Higher power
cartridges require heavier bolts to keep the breech from opening prematurely; at some point, the bolt becomes too heavy to be
practical. For an extreme example, a 20mm cannon using simple blowback and lubricated cartridges would need a 500-pound
(230 kg) bolt to keep the cartridge safely in the barrel during the first few milliseconds; furthermore, the average force supplied
by the return spring is limited to 60 pounds-force (270 N) or the bolt will not travel back far enough to feed a new round.
Consequently, the return spring is not powerful enough to keep the bolt closed when the gun is tilted up. In addition, there is not
enough energy stored in the bolt to cycle the weapon.[4]

Due to the required bolt weight, blowback designs in pistols are generally limited to calibers smaller than 9×19mm Parabellum
(e.g., .25 ACP, .32 ACP, .380 ACP, 9×18mm Makarov, etc.) There are exceptions such as the simple blowback pistols from Hi-
Point Firearms which include models chambered in .45 ACP, .40 S&W, .380 ACP and 9×19mm Parabellum.[5] Simple blowback
operation can also be found in small-bore (such as .22LR) semi-automatic rifles,
carbines and submachine guns. Most simple blowback rifles are chambered for
the .22 Long Rifle cartridge. Popular examples include the Marlin Model 60 and
the Ruger 10/22. Most blowback carbines and submachine guns are chambered
for pistol cartridges such as the 9×19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.
Examples include the MP 40, Sten and UZI. The bolt can be made bigger and
more massive in these weapons than in handguns, as they are intrinsically
heavier and designed, ideally at least, to be fired with both hands, often with the
aid of a shoulder stock; and these factors help to ameliorate the disruption to the
shooter's aim caused by the heavy bolt's movement. Consequently, simple
blowback is adequate for somewhat more powerful rounds in submachine guns
than in standard pistols. There were also a few rifles that chambered cartridges
specifically designed for blowback operation. Examples include the Winchester
Model 1905, 1907 and 1910. The only known assault rifle to use simple
blowback was the Burton Model 1917.[6]

Whereas simple blowback is limited to guns using low-power rounds, it is so The .380 ACP Colt Model 1903
efficient in this context that in small-calibre semi-automatic pistols it is by now Pocket Hammerless uses simple
almost ubiquitous. Heavier calibre models of handgun (other than revolvers, blowback. The mass of the slide is
obviously) characteristically employ a short recoil system, of which by far the enough to delay opening of the
most common type are Browning-derived designs which rely on a locking barrel chamber until pressure has dropped.

and slide assembly instead of blowback. But blowback guns can be used to fire
powerful cartridges if they are of the other two types already mentioned: API or
delayed/retarded blowback.

Advanced primer ignition (API) blowback

MK 108 cannon bolt cycle (part I)

 MK 108 cannon bolt cycle (part II)

In the API blowback design, the primer is ignited when the bolt is still moving forward and before the cartridge is fully
chambered. This requires a very careful design to ensure the proper balance and equalization of forces between the projectile
weight, propellant charge, barrel length, bolt weight, and return spring strength. In a simple blowback design, the propellant gases
have to overcome static inertia to accelerate the bolt rearwards to open the breech. In an API blowback, they first have to do the
work of overcoming forward momentum to arrest the forward motion of the bolt. Because the forward and rearward speeds of the
bolt tend to be approximately the same, the API blowback allows the weight of the bolt to be halved.[7] Because the momentum
of the two opposed bolt motions cancels out over time, the API blowback design results in reduced recoil.

According to Anthony G. Williams, the "API blowback principle is used virtually in all open bolt sub-machine guns" (technically,
although generally these are known as "simple blowback" weapons due to the very late ignition of the cartridge compared to
specially designed API blowback guns like the MK 108), although "the relatively low pressures and velocities mean that
extended chambers and rebated-rim cartridges are not required" for sub-machine guns.[8] In heavier weapons, advanced primer
ignition (API) was originally developed by Reinhold Becker[9] for use on the Becker Type M2 20 mm cannon. It became a
feature of a wide range of designs that can be traced back to Becker's, including the Oerlikon cannon widely used as anti-aircraft
weapons during World War II.[8]

To increase performance of API blowback firearms,[7] larger calibre APIB guns such as the Becker and Oerlikon use extended
chambers, longer than is necessary to contain the round, and ammunition for APIB firearms come with straight-sided cartridges
with rebated rims (rims that are smaller in diameter than the cartridge itself).[10] The last part of forward motion and the first part
of the rearward motion of the case and bolt happen within the confines of this extended chamber. As long as the gas pressure in
the barrel is high, the walls of the case remain supported and the breach sealed, although the case is sliding rearwards. This
sliding motion of the case, while it is expanded by a high internal gas pressure, risks tearing it apart, and a common solution is to
grease the ammunition to reduce the friction. The case needs to have a rebated rim because the front end of the bolt will enter the
chamber, and the extractor claw hooked over the rim therefore has to fit also within the diameter of the chamber. The case
generally has very little neck, because this remains unsupported during the firing cycle and is generally deformed; a strongly
necked case would be likely to split.

The API blowback design permits the use of more powerful ammunition in a lighter gun than would be achieved by using simple
blowback, and the reduction of felt recoil results in further weight savings. The original Becker cannon, firing 20×70mmRB
ammunition, was developed to be carried by World War I aircraft, and weighed only 30 kg.[11] Oerlikon even produced an anti-
tank rifle firing 20×110mmRB ammunition using the API blowback operation, the SSG36. On the other hand, because the design
imposes a very close relationship between bolt mass, chamber length, spring strength, ammunition power and rate of fire, in
APIB guns high rate of fire and high muzzle velocity tend to be mutually exclusive.[10] API blowback guns also have to fire from
an open bolt, which is not conducive to accuracy and also prevents synchronized fire through an aircraft propeller arc.

According to a United States Army Materiel Command engineering course from 1970, "The advanced primer ignition gun is
superior to the simple blowback because of its higher firing rate and lower recoil momentum. However, favorable performance
depends on timing that must be precise. A slight delay in primer function, and the gun reverts to a simple blowback without the
benefit of a massive bolt and stiffer driving spring to soften the recoil impact. [...] The exacting requirements in design and
construction of gun and ammunition reduce this type almost to the point of academic interest only."[12]

API mechanisms are very sensitive to the ammunition used. For example, when the Germans switched their MG FF (an Oerlikon
FFF derivative) to their new, lighter Minengeschoß shell, they had to rebalance the spring strength and bolt weight of the gun,
resulting in a new MG FF/M model with ammunition not being interchangeable between the two models.[13] The 30 mm MK 108
cannon was perhaps the apogee of API blowback technology during World War II.

An example of API in sub-machine guns is the L2A3 Sterling submachine gun, where the maximum chamber pressure is
achieved while the breechblock is still moving forward and is about 0.46 mm away from the rear face of the chamber.[14] The
principle is also used in some automatic grenade launchers, for example in the US Mk 19 grenade launcher or Russian AGS-30.

Delayed blowback
For more powerful rounds than can be safely used in simple blowback, or in order to obtain a lighter mechanism than the simple
format can provide, the alternative to API is some system of delayed or retarded blowback, in which the bolt is never fully
locked, but is initially held in place, sealing the cartridge in the chamber by the mechanical resistance of one of various designs of
delaying mechanism. As with the resistance provided by momentum in API, it takes a fraction of a second for the propellant
gases to overcome this and start moving cartridge and bolt backwards; this very brief delay is sufficient for the bullet to leave the
muzzle and for the internal pressure in the barrel to decrease to a safe level. The bolt and cartridge are then pushed to the rear by
the residual gas pressure.

Because of high pressures, rifle-caliber delayed blowback firearms, such as the FAMAS and G3, typically have fluted chambers
to ease extraction. Below are various forms of delayed-blowback actions:

Roller-delayed
Roller-delayed blowback was first used in Mauser's Gerät 06H prototype. Roller-
delayed blowback operation differs from roller-locked recoil operation as seen in
the MG 42 and gas operated roller locked, as seen in the Gerät 06.[15] Unlike the
MG 42, in roller-delayed blowback the barrel is fixed and does not recoil, and
unlike the StG 44, roller-delayed blowback systems lack a gas piston. This lack
aids relatively light constructions. As the bolt head is driven rearward, rollers on
the sides of the bolt are driven inward against a tapered bolt carrier extension.
This forces the bolt carrier rearward at a much greater velocity and delays
movement of the bolt head. The primary advantage of roller-delayed blowback is
the simplicity of the design compared to gas or recoil operation.[16] Roller-delayed blowback-operated
breech for automatic weapons
The roller-delayed blowback firearm action was patented by Mausers Wilhelm
Stähle and Ludwig Vorgrimler. Though appearing simple its development during
World War II was a hard technical and personal effort, as German engineering, mathematical and other scientists had to work
together on a like-it-or-not basis led by Ott-Helmuth von Lossnitzer, the director of Mauser Werke's Weapons Research Institute
and Weapons Development Group. Experiments showed roller-delayed
blowback firearms exhibited bolt-bounce as the bolt opened at an extreme
velocity of approximately 20 m/s during automatic fire. To counter bolt-bounce
the perfect angle choice on the nose of the bolt head had to be found to
significantly reduce the opening velocity of the bolt. The extremely high bolt
carrier velocities problem was not solved by trial and error. Mathematician Dr.
Karl Maier provided analysis of the components, assemblies in the development
A schematic of the roller-delayed
project. In December 1943 Maier came up with an equation that engineers used blowback mechanism used in the
to change the angles in the receiver to 45° and 27° on the locking piece relative MP5 submachine gun. This system
to the longitudinal axis reducing the bolt-bounce problem. With these angles the had its origins in the late-war StG
geometrical transmission ratio of the bolt carrier to the bolthead became 3:1, so 45(M) assault rifle prototype.
the rear bolt carrier was forced to move 3 times faster than the bolthead. The
rearward forces on the bolt carrier and receiver were 2:1. The force and impulse
transmitted to the receiver increases with the force and impulse transmitted to the bolt carrier. Making the bolt carrier heavier
lessens the recoil velocity. For Mausers StG 45(M) project Maier assumed a 120 g bolt head and 360 g bolt carrier (1 to 3 ratio).
The prototype StG 45 (M) assault rifle had 18 longitudinal gas relief flutes cut in the chamber wall to assist the bloated cartridge
casing from the chamber walls during extraction. Fluting the end of the chamber provides pressure equalization between the front
outer surface of the cartridge case and its interior and thus ensures extraction without tearing the case making extraction easier
and more reliable. In 1944 other German companies like Großfuß, Rheinmetall and Haenel showed interest in developing roller-
delayed blowback small arms. Großfuß worked on a roller-delayed blowback MG 45 general-purpose machine gun that, like the
StG 45 (M), had not progressed beyond the prototype stage by the end of World War II.

After World War II, former Mauser technicians Ludwig Vorgrimler and Theodor Löffler perfected the mechanism between 1946
and 1950 while working for the French small arms manufacturer Centre d'Etudes et d'Armament de Mulhouse (CEAM). In 1950
Ludwig Vorgrimler was recruited to work for CETME in Spain. The first full-scale production rifle to utilize roller-delay was the
Spanish CETME battle rifle, which was closely followed by the Swiss SIG SG 510 and the CETME Model B-based Heckler &
Koch G3. The G3 bolt features an anti-bounce mechanism that prevents the bolt from bouncing off the barrel's breech surface.[17]
The G3's "bolt head locking lever" is a spring-loaded claw mounted on the bolt carrier that grabs the bolt head as the bolt carrier
group goes into battery. The lever essentially ratchets into place with friction, providing enough resistance to being re-opened that
the bolt carrier does not rebound. Due to the relative low bolt thrust exhibited by pistol cartridges the anti-bounce mechanism is
omitted by Heckler & Koch on their roller-delayed blowback firearms chambered for pistols cartridges. Heckler & Koch's MP5
submachine gun is the most common weapon still in service worldwide using this system. The Heckler & Koch P9 semi-
automatic pistol, CETME Ameli light machine gun and Heckler & Koch HK21 general-purpose machine gun also use roller-
delayed blowback.

Lever-delayed
Lever-delayed blowback utilizes leverage to put the bolt at a mechanical
disadvantage, delaying the opening of the breech. When the cartridge pushes
against the bolt face, the lever moves the bolt carrier rearward at an accelerated
rate relative to the light bolt. Leverage can be applied with a dedicated part or
through inclined surfaces interacting with each other. This leverage significantly
increases resistance and slows the movement of the lightweight bolt. John
A schematic of the lever-delayed
Pedersen patented the first known design for a lever-delay system.[18] The blowback mechanism used in the
mechanism was adapted by Hungarian arms designer Pál Király in the 1930s and FAMAS assault rifle.
used in the Danuvia 39M and 43M submachine guns for the Hungarian Army.
After the World War II, Király settled in the Dominican Republic and developed
the Cristóbal Carbine (or Király-Cristóbal Carbine). Other weapons to use this system are the Hogue Avenger and Benelli B76
pistols, the FNAB-43 submachine gun, the TKB-517, VAHAN and FAMAS[19] assault rifles, the Sterling 7.62 and AVB-7.62
battle rifles/light machine guns, and the AA-52 general-purpose machine gun.

Gas-delayed
Gas-delayed blowback should not be confused with gas-operation. The bolt is never locked, and so is pushed rearward by the
expanding propellant gases, as in other blowback-based designs. However, propellant gases are vented from the barrel into a
cylinder with a piston that delays the opening of the bolt. It was used by some World War II German designs for the 7.92×33mm
Kurz cartridge, including the Volkssturmgewehr rifle (with little effectiveness) and the Grossfuss Sturmgewehr (with slightly
more efficiency),[20] and after the war by the Heckler & Koch P7, Walther CCP, Steyr GB and M-77B pistols.

Chamber-ring delayed
When a cartridge is fired, the case expands to seal the sides of the chamber. This seal prevents high-pressure gas from escaping
into the action of the gun. Because a conventional chamber is slightly oversized, an unfired cartridge will enter freely. In a
chamber-ring delayed firearm, the chamber is conventional in every respect except for a concave ring within the chamber wall.
When the cartridge is fired, the case expands into this recessed ring and pushes the bolt face rearward. As the case moves to the
rear this ring constricts the expanded portion of the case. The energy required to squeeze the walls of the cartridge case slows the
rearward travel of the case and slide, reducing their mass requirements. The first known use of the system was on the Fritz Mann
pistol in 1920 and later on the High Standard Corp model T3 experimental pistol developed by Ott-Helmuth von Lossnitzer while
working for High Standard.[21][22] Other firearms that used this system were the LWS Seecamp pistol, the AMT Automag II, and
the Kimball .30 Carbine pistol.[23][24][25] The SIG SG 510 rifle family incorporates a chamber ring near the shoulder which is
used to avoid bolt-bounce rather than a delay element.[26]

Hesitation locked
John Pedersen's patented system incorporates a breech block independent of the slide or bolt carrier. When in battery, the breech
block rests slightly forward of the locking shoulder located in the frame of the firearm. When the cartridge is fired, the cartridge
case, bolt and slide move together a short distance until the breech block strikes the locking shoulder and stops. The slide
continues rearward with the momentum it acquired in the initial phase while the breech remains locked. This allows chamber
pressure to drop to safe levels once the bullet departs the barrel. The continuing motion of the slide lifts the breech block from its
recess and pulls it rearward, continuing the firing cycle. The Pedersen Remington Model 51 pistol, SIG MKMO submachine gun
and R51 pistol are the only production firearms to have used this design.

Toggle-delayed
In toggle-delayed blowback firearms, the rearward motion of the breechblock must overcome significant mechanical
leverage.[28][29][30] The bolt is hinged in the middle, stationary at the rear end and nearly straight at rest. As the breech moves
back under blowback power, the hinge joint moves upward.[31] The leverage disadvantage keeps the breech from opening until
the bullet has left the barrel and pressures have dropped to a safe level. This mechanism was used on the Pedersen rifle and
Schwarzlose MG M.07/12 machine gun.[29][32]

Off-axis bolt travel

John Browning developed this simple method whereby the axis of bolt movement was not in line with that of the bore.[33] The
result was that a small rearward movement of the bolt in relation to the bore-axis required a greater movement along the axis of
bolt movement, essentially magnifying the resistance of the bolt without increasing its mass. The French MAS-38 submachine
gun of 1938 utilizes a bolt whose path of recoil is at an angle to the barrel. The
Jatimatic and KRISS Vector use modified versions of this concept.

Radial-delayed
CMMG introduced the Mk 45 Guard rifle incorporating a radial-delay in 2017.
This system uses the rotation of the bolt head to accelerate the bolt carrier of an
AR-15 pattern rifle. The bolt locking lugs are adapted to incorporate 120° angles
that rotate the bolt as it travels rearward under conventional blowback power. As
the bolt rotates 22.5˚, it must accelerate the bolt carrier to the rear through an Operation of the Schwarzlose
adapted 50° angle cam-pin slot. This acceleration amplifies the effective mass of machine gun.
the bolt carrier, slowing the speed of the bolt head.[34] This delay allows
pressure to drop prior to extraction without the penalty of a heavier bolt carrier
assembly.[35] The system is similar to roller and lever-delayed blowback in that
it uses the mass of the bolt carrier moving at a faster rate than the bolt head to
delay the action from opening.

Screw-delayed
First used on the Mannlicher Model 1893 rifle, the bolt in screw-delayed
blowback was delayed by angled interrupted threads delayed by a quarter twist
to unlock.[36] John T. Thompson designed an autorifle that operated on a similar
principle around 1920 and submitted it for trials with the US Army. This rifle,
submitted multiple times, competed unsuccessfully against the Pedersen rifle and
Garand primer-actuated rifle in early testing to replace the M1903 Springfield
rifle.[37] This operation is one of the most simple forms of delayed blowback but
unless the ammunition is lubricated or uses a fluted chamber, the recoil can be
volatile especially when using full length rifle rounds.[38] Rotation of the bolt
Image from Pedersen patent[27]
should be at least 90° to prevent ruptured cartridges.[39] Another form of this
describing toggle-delayed blowback
operation was developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov who later developed a
mechanism as used in his rifle
prototype submachine gun in 1942 that operated by a screw-delayed blowback
principle,[40] which is also found on the Fox Wasp carbine. A pair of telescoping
screws delayed rearward movement of the operating parts during the firing cycle. This weapon was ultimately not selected for
production.

Other blowback systems

Floating chamber
David Marshall Williams (a noted designer for the U.S. Ordnance Office and later Winchester) developed a mechanism to allow
firearms designed for full-sized cartridges to fire .22 caliber rimfire ammunition reliably. His system used a small "piston" that
incorporates the chamber. When the cartridge is fired, the front of the floating chamber is thrust back by gas pressure impinging
on the front of the chamber as in a traditional piston. This, added to the blowback energy imparted on the cartridge, pushes the
bolt back with greater energy than either force alone. Often described as "accelerated blowback", this amplifies the otherwise
anemic recoil energy of the .22 Rimfire cartridge.[41] Williams designed a training version of the Browning machine gun and the
Colt Service Ace .22 long rifle version of the M1911 using his system. The floating chamber is both a blowback and gas operated
mechanism.[42]
Primer actuated
Primer actuated firearms use the energy of primer setback to unlock and cycle the firearm. John Garand developed the system in
an unsuccessful bid to replace the M1903 bolt-action rifle in the early 1920s.[43] Garand's prototypes worked well with US
military .30-06 ammunition and uncrimped primers, but then the military changed from a fast burning gunpowder to a
progressive burning Improved Military Rifle (IMR) powder. The slower pressure rise made the primer actuated prototypes
unreliable, so Garand abandoned the design for a gas operated rifle that became the M1 Garand.[43][44] AAI Corporation used a
primer piston in a rifle submitted for the SPIW competition.[45] Other rifles to use this system were the Postnikov APT and
Clarke carbine as described in U.S. Patent 2,401,616 (https://www.google.com/patents/US2401616).[46]

A similar system is used in the spotting rifles on the LAW 80 and Shoulder-launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon use a 9mm,
.308 Winchester based cartridge with a .22 Hornet blank cartridge in place of the primer. Upon firing, the Hornet case sets back a
short distance, unlocking the action.[47]

Case setback
The case cartridge itself has been used experimentally to actuate the action similar to Garand's primer-actuation. Known
prototypes using this method of operation include two 1936 rifle designs, one by Mihail Mamontov and another by Makar
Goryainov at TsKB-14, and a 1980s design by A.F. Barishev. The Mamontov and Goryainov rifles are only partially automatic;
only the bolt unlocking is powered by the gases pushing the cartridge back, while the rest of the cycle (ejection, reloading) is
done manually as in a traditional bolt-action rifle. A major problem with using the case cartridge as piston is that its motion is
much faster (about 1 ms) compared to tapping gas further down the bore through a piston—about 5 ms in the Dragunov sniper
rifle, which used the same cartridge as Mamontov's rifle. Barishev made a fully automatic, but rather bulky mechanism that used
a mechanical delay. In his system, the case cartridge pushed back a tilting bolt face, that upon reaching a certain angle pushes
backwards an unlocking lever that continues farther before unlocking the bolt. The GRAU however still gave a negative
evaluation of Barishev's gun, pointing out that the main problems with reliability of firearms using the cartridge case as a piston
were known since the 1930s and still unsolved.[48]

Limited-utility designs

Blish lock
The Blish Lock is a breech locking mechanism designed by John Bell Blish based upon his observation that under extreme
pressures, certain dissimilar metals will resist movement with a force greater than normal friction laws would predict. In modern
engineering terminology, it is called static friction, or stiction. His locking mechanism was used in the Thompson submachine
gun, Autorifle and Autocarbine designs. This dubious principle was later eliminated as redundant in the M1 and M1A1 versions
of the submachine guns at the insistence of the US Army.[49]

Lubrication or fouling would completely defeat any delay. Whatever actual advantage a clean, unlubricated Blish
system could impart could also be attained by adding a mere ounce of mass to the bolt.[50]

Savage rotating barrel

The Savage system employed the theory that the rifling in the barrel caused a rotational force that would hold the gun locked until
the projectile left the barrel. It was later discovered that the bullet had left the barrel long before any locking could occur. Savage
pistols were in fact operating as simple blow back firearms.[51] The French MAB PA-15 and PA-8 9mm pistols feature a similar
design.
Other autoloading systems
Other autoloading systems are:

Blow forward where the barrel is the only moving component of the weapon that is dragged forward by the friction
of the bullet until it leaves the barrel.
Recoil operation uses the rearward movement of parts of the weapon counter to the ejecta (bullet and propellant)
moving forward, as described by Newton's third law of motion.
Gas-operated reloading

See also
List of blow forward firearms
List of delayed-blowback firearms

References
1. Chinn 1955, p. 3
2. Walter H. B. Smith, Rifles, Military Service Publishing Co., 1948, "blowback semiautomatic operation" pp.88-89.
3. Chinn 1955, p. 11
4. Chinn 1955, pp. 12–16
5. "Hi-Point Firearms: Handguns" (https://web.archive.org/web/20110711165408/http://www.hi-pointfirearms.com/ha
ndguns/hi_point_handguns.html). Hi-Point Firearms. Archived from the original (http://www.hi-pointfirearms.com/
handguns/hi_point_handguns.html) on 2011-07-11.
6. The World's Assault Rifles By Gary Paul Johnston, Thomas B. Nelson. Chapter 2: Assault Rifle Operating and
Locking Systems.
7. Chinn 1955, p. 31
8. Anthony G. Williams, Rapid Fire, Airlife UK 2000, page 65
9. Williams, Anthony G., Of Oerlikons and other things…… (http://www.quarryhs.co.uk/apib.html) Archived (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20141110002552/http://www.quarryhs.co.uk/apib.html) 2014-11-10 at the Wayback Machine
www.quarry.nildram.co.uk article
10. Anthony G. Williams, Rapid Fire, Airlife UK 2000, pages 63-68
11. Anthony G. Williams, Flying Gun World War I, Airlife UK 2003, pages 89-90
12. Automatic Weapons (http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=AD0868578) Archived (https://web.archive.org/w
eb/20130801182437/http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=AD0868578) 2013-08-01 at the Wayback
Machine, AMC pamphlet no. 706-260, February 1970, page 2-47
13. Anthony G. Williams, Rapid Fire, Airlife UK 2000, pages 65 and 166
14. Charles Q. Cutshaw (2011). Tactical Small Arms of the 21st Century: A Complete Guide to Small Arms From
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Bibliography
Bremner, Derek, The MG42V and the Origins of Delayed Blowback Roller Lock: WWII German Equipment
(Paperback). ISBN 0-9533792-0-5.
Chinn, George M. (1955). The Machine Gun, Volume IV: Design Analysis of Automatic Firing Mechanisms and
Related Components. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Ordnance, Department of the Navy.

External links
Information about the TZ45 submachine gun and the concept of advanced primer ignition (https://web.archive.or
g/web/20080724175150/http://www.smallarmsreview.com/pdf/TZ45.pdf)
Blowback action (http://science.howstuffworks.com/machine-gun6.htm), Animation and explanation at
howstuffworks.com
Heckler and Koch USA now uses the "roller-delayed blowback" terminology (https://web.archive.org/web/200703
02035403/http://www.hecklerkoch-usa.com/index.jsp?loc=231&SITEID=B&PartNumber=MP51)
Blow-Forward operated submachine gun patent (https://archive.is/20130105175139/http://www.wikipatents.com/4
061075.html)
Blow-Forward firearm patent (https://web.archive.org/web/20110831010932/http://www.wikipatents.com/512332
9.html)
 Kewish primer actuated patent (1/4 assigned to Garand) (http://www.google.com/patents/US1472126)
US1603684 (http://www.google.com.ar/patents/US1603684) Garand patent making reference to earlier primer
actuated application in 1919.
Burke v US, 67 F.Supp 827 (1947) (http://www.leagle.com/decision/194689467FSupp827_1752.xml/BURKE%20
v.%20UNITED%20STATES) has comment about Kewish and Garand.

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