Machine guns changed warfare by enabling standoff distance and massed fire through rapid reloading. Early projectile weapons from 5000 BC had slow reload times offset by volleys, but the 1884 Maxim gun was the first self-powered gun, using recoil from fired rounds to power an automated reloading and firing cycle that drastically increased rates of fire compared to previous manually operated guns.

1. How Machine Guns Work

2. Projectile weapons changed warfare

3. Standoff distance, massed fire. Warfare grew in strategic and technological complexity

4. 5000 BC: Longbow500 BC: Crossbow1300: Musket1500: Rifle

5. Slow reload time offset by massed volleys

6. 1851 Mitrailleuse:Mechanically massed volleys

7. 1861 Gatling GunFaster rate of fire, reloading

8. Not strictly "Machine Guns"Operator provides mechanical energy

9. 1884 Maxim:First self-powered gun

10. Operation CycleOperator pulls back bolt, “priming” mechanism.Operator pulls trigger, sends bolt forward, loading round and locking chamber.Firing pin ignites primer in cartridge.Chamber unlocks, bolt moves rearward, ejecting spent round.

11. Recoil (or "Blowback") powers operating cycleFirst Principle:Recoil Operation

12. Gas from cartridge ignition powers operating cycleSecondPrinciple:GasOperation

13. "minigun:" electric motor powers operating cycleThirdPrinciple:MechanicalOperation