I've fired this weapon many times (literally tens of thousands of rounds), but the most memorable was the first time in basic training. By the time a trainee gets to fire actual live ammunition, they have had ample time to dry fire the weapon, so I had an idea of what to expect. I also grew up shooting 22s and shotguns, plinking and hunting, so was experienced with firearms. It was a gloomy day, in the 60s. We all had to wait our turn to fire off about 30-40 rounds each, with a weapon mounted in an M113 cupola. My turn came up about halfway through, and as I'm at the weapon (under red flag, before the fire command was given) the weapon discharged a single round BOOM!! I had my fingers resting on the butterfly trigger, but I was almost certain I hadn't applied any pressure. The drill sergeants freaked out of course, and I was punched in the head as they shoved my down the cupula into the vehicle. I'm yelling back at them, trying to defend myself (which was notable in of itself considering a recruiter NEVER talks back to a DI). So after a minute or two, things calm down and they tell me to get back up there. I'm back in the TC's position, this time keeping my fingers well away from the trigger - staring at the trigger, waiting for the order to fire when suddenly BOOM! The weapon fires another single round. This time the DI's absolutely went bat [auto-censored] - stuffing me down the cupular with punches as I fall into the track, screaming back at them and crying "I didn't touch the trigger!!" "Get that [auto-censored]er off my range NOW" someone screamed. 10 seconds pass. BOOM! No one was even near the weapon. It was cooking off rounds, of course. The DIs never apologised, nor did I expect one. I did get a chance to fire that day.
.JPG)
