Browning design

[dannybot]

Just wondering why the Browning design uses a tilting barrel, I imagine that it facilitates loading. It that correct? It seems like a rigidly mounted barrel would be more consistently accurate and easier to produce. I cannot argue with the fact that it does work, I just like to understand hoe and why things are the way they are.

Thanks, Danny

 

[M29since14]

The gun uses the weight of the slide assembly to delay unlocking immediately upon discharge (otherwise, a blowback mechanism). Obviously, if there is no way for the barrel to free itself from engagement with the slide, the gun is a single shot. So, the barrel must somehow pivot away from the locking lugs. The link arrangement facilitates this, and though it has been replaced in more modern designs, the principle remains the same - pivoting away from the locking surfaces.

 

[dannybot]

Thanks, that helps a lot.

 

[Dot_mdb]

The tilting barrel and link mechanism is a way of delaying the removal of case until the pressure in the barrel is reduced.

Because of the link mechanism the slide and the barrel move backwards together immediately after the round is fired. Then, a couple of 1000ths of a second later the barrel is forced downward by the arc that the link travels. That causes the barrel to unlock from the lugs in the slide and the slide can then travel rearward to complete its job of cocking the hammer and loading another round.

Bill

 

[PDL]

As they've said that's the way it works. The pressure and force of the round going off would have to be controlled by the weight of the slide and the recoil spring. A fixed barrel like you mentioned would be and is used in less powerful calibers like .22, .25, .32, and sometimes a .380.