Comparing .22 Long Rifle Ammunition with LMGs Chambered in .22 Long Rifle

While the United States saw the rise and fall of Dennis Tippman's innovation in miniature belt-fed machine guns chambered in .22 Long Rifle (LR), today we explore another angle: the viability of such guns and the difference in ammunition capacity compared to their larger counterparts.

The Legacy of Dennis Tippman: From .22 Machine Guns to Paintball Guns

Back in the day, Dennis Tippman, a renowned modular firearms designer, crafted miniature versions of legendary machine guns like the Browning 1919 and Browning 1917, all chambered in .22 LR. These weapons were not only incredibly small but also beautifully crafted and functional. However, the US government intervened, and these miniature machine guns effectively became a thing of the past. After this setback, Tippman pursued a new venture: developing paintball guns, which he achieved remarkable success with.

Are There .22 LR Machine Guns?

When it comes to real .22 LR machine guns, the answer is a definitive no. The closest we have to a .22 LR machine gun is the American-180 submachine gun, marketed for its reduced over-penetration in populated areas. This submachine gun, though effective to an extent, using just a couple of bursts to incapacitate one criminal and kill another, highlights the limitations of the .22 LR cartridge when compared to more powerful rifle rounds.

Comparison of .22 LR vs 5.56x45mm NATO Rounds

Let's delve into a detailed analysis of the ammunition capacity. The 5.56x45mm NATO round, commonly used in light machine guns (LMGs) like the M249 SAW, weighs approximately 190 grains (12.3 grams) per cartridge. On the other hand, the .22 LR cartridges will vary depending on the specific type, but generally, expect them to weigh around 3 grams. This means you could theoretically carry roughly four times as many rounds of .22 LR ammunition compared to 5.56x45mm NATO rounds.

The Limitations of Using .22 LR in LMGs

Despite the potential for carrying a greater number of rounds, using .22 LR in LMGs comes with significant limitations. The low power of the .22 LR cartridge means it cannot effectively perform the tasks typically assigned to proper rifle cartridges in machine guns. To put it simply, while you may be able to carry more rounds, you won't be able to achieve the same level of performance or effectiveness as you would with larger, more powerful ammunition.

Conclusion: The Future of .22 LR LMGs

The story of Dennis Tippman and the American-180 submachine gun shows that while there can be interesting and innovative solutions in firearms design, the practical limitations imposed by cartridge power often outweigh the benefits of smaller, lighter weapons. For now, it seems that .22 LR ammunition, while offering the advantage of greater carrying capacity, will remain limited in its application as the primary round for LMGs.