How Does it Work: Short Recoil Operation
This video delves into the inner workings of the short recoil operation, a fundamental mechanism in many modern self-loading handguns and some machine guns. It clarifies the historical development of the system, crediting Hiram Maxim with its successful implementation rather than John Browning for the overall concept. The explanation breaks down how the barrel and slide remain locked together for a brief period before separating, allowing for the extraction and ejection of spent casings. While acknowledging its prevalence in handguns and machine guns, the video also touches on why short recoil is less common in shoulder-fired rifles due to potential impacts on mechanical accuracy.










