What Ammo Should I Use For S&W M76 Machine Gun

[wpuckett59602]

I am having some problems with my S&W M76 submachine gun. I had several Suomi & Swedish K mags modified to work in my machine gun. I used 115 grain 9 mm shells. Two of the modified mags jammed. I went to Winchester 124 grain 9 mm shells. I am still getting jams with 2 of the mags. 3 other modified mags worked. Is this an ammo problem or will the gun not work with some modified mags. Suggestions?

 

[NY-1]

I'd imagine that it's much more likely to be a magazine than an ammunition issue. Do you have original mags to try that ammo in?


I'd love to be able to shoot a S&W M76 someday.

 

[hdfinder47]

Cheap. Buy cheap ammo and mod the mags/springs/whatever to work with that ammo.

 

[chief38]

I do not own fully automatic firearm but I do understand that in Israel and Europe they use 9mm higher velocity loads for more reliable and consistent operation of their sub-guns. You could try using a slightly hotter load. I'd also use plain old FMJ bullets and not hollow points for more reliable and better feeding.

 

[Skeet 028]

The Swedish K mags always had feeding problems. Our armorer just about fixed mine. If the thing jams in the middle of a mag it's probably a spring problem. Never shot the Smith...but my K shoots much better with 147s much better in fact. How did they modify the mags??

 

[greenrunner]

I don't recall what ammo is prescribed for that specific gun (I was in a unit that had some but I don't recall firing them) but 9mm nato versus 9mm luger often is used in military subguns. The nato ammo is higher pressure.

 

[67tempest]

My buddy had an M76 that I shot on several different occasions, he had several factory mag's for it, it ran flawlessly with whatever ammo we put through it. He always said to be careful with the mag's, told me they were hard to find and expensive. My guess would be that you're having a mag issue. From what I recall the M76 had a reputation as a very reliable weapon, I never experienced an issue with his.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

124 Grain FMJ of the NATO variety.

I strongly urge you to read Frank Iannamico's book The Smith & Wesson Model 76 Submachine Gun.

 

[45Smashemflat]

My Uzi eats most anything, but prefers hotter stuff. I lean towards a mag issue vs an ammo issue. Can you detail what the jam looks like?

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Being completely unfamiliar with that firearm, I would still suggest 9mm NATO would be a good place to start...

Cheers!

P.S. Are they all machine guns or are there semi-automatic versions?

 

[45Smashemflat]

The Uzi I mentioned is an open bolt FA SMG.

 

[67tempest]

There were semi-auto only versions of the M76 available.