Perhaps it might be good if you were to learn the difference between semi-auto and full auto firing with an AR-15? In semi auto the hammer is cocked when the bolt carrier moves back and strips the next round from the magazine. When the bolt carrier returns forward the hammer is still held back by the hook until the trigger is released and it settles back on the sear. Only then can the trigger be pressed again to fire another round. In full auto the hammer is released by the auto sear as soon as the bolt carrier is clear of the hammer and turns the bolt securely into the barrel adapter. The hammer then strikes the firing pin to repeat the cycle at rate of about 600 times a minute. The rifle can be held in any manner the shooter wishes; a very firm hold with a bipod will ensure the best accuracy. When a person bump fires a semi-auto rifle from the shoulder, the usual method is to hold the stock lightly against the shoulder with the trigger finger bent at a 90 degree angle and pressing against the trigger but not enough to depress it. The other hand which is gripping the fore end pushes the rifle forward; this brings the trigger into firmer contact with the trigger finger until it is completely pulled. The rifle fires and recoil moves the stock back enough to allow the trigger to reset as described in the 1st paragraph above. Constant forward pressure with the hand on the fore end will keep the gun firing rapidly, provided the shooter is practiced and coordinated enough to do so. The hold is rather loose and sloppy, good accuracy is nearly impossible in my opinion. With a slide fire stock, the shooter can hold the stock more firmly against the shoulder, but the same coordination is required with the weak hand to keep constant pressure on the fore end and keep the rifle firing. It takes less practice than without the slide fire stock, but it still a skill which needs some work. A true machine gun like the M-16 is better in every way. Paddock had an eight acre target area in which to engage, this is probably the only reason why he was able to wound/kill so many people. Had he been using bump fire to engage a smaller group he might have missed most of his shots. A good shooter can shoot very fast without bump fire; check out videos featuring Jerry Miculek.
I'm sure it will be for the most part. Some people think that shooting fast is what makes a machine gun so good. The fact is bullets go where they're aimed, and not always where the shooter hopes. Shooting fast doesn't really help if most of the bullets miss the target. Bump fire is just another type of "spray and pray"; aiming works a ton better than praying.
The AR semiauto hammer has no hook, the M-16 bolt carrier has a longer run that contacts the Autosear not present in an AR rifle, the M-16's longer run contacts the Auto sear tripping it in full Auto, don't forget the M-16 has both sear and Autosear, while both work together, they perform separate functions.
Thanks. I called the small protrusion on the hammer that the disconnector engages the hook. I should have refreshed my memory of what an M16 hammer looks like prior to posting. http://www.grumpysperformance.com/arp8.jpg
You were correct, The M-16 hammer has a hook or protrusion and we used to grind them off before installation in a semiautomatic AR rifle.
