Tiffany Haney
A pan magazine is a type of ammunition storage and feeding device for firearms. It is characterised by its flat cylindrical shape and is mounted on top of the gun, using gravity to drop cartridges into the action. The cartridges in a pan magazine are arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation, unlike drum magazines where they are arranged parallel. Pan magazines are most famously found in the Degtyaryov light machine gun and the American-180 submachine gun.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Magazine shape | Flat cylindrical |
| Magazine placement | Mounted on top of the gun |
| Cartridge arrangement | Perpendicular to the axis of rotation |
| Cartridge feeding | Gravity, ratchet and pawl mechanism, or unwinding circular spring |
| Examples of guns that use pan magazines | Lewis gun, Bren light machine gun, Degtyarev light machine gun, American-180 submachine gun, Bira gun, Howard Carr machine gun, AK family of assault rifles |
| Advantages | Allows soldiers to lie prone without exposing themselves, compact design, holds a large number of cartridges |
| Disadvantages | Prone to failure, no advantages over belt-fed designs |
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What You'll Learn
Pan magazines are a type of drum magazine
A magazine is a device that stores and assists in the feeding of ammunition through the use of a mechanical (usually spring-loaded follower). It is an integral part of a firearm, either fixed internally or attached externally. Magazines come in many shapes and sizes, from integral tubular magazines on rifles and shotguns to detachable box magazines and drum magazines for automatic rifles and light machine guns.
The name "pan magazine" comes from their resemblance to a cooking pan, with a flat base and a circular wall around the edge. The cartridges are arranged like the spokes of a wheel, radiating out from the center. This design allows the magazine to hold a large number of cartridges without adding excessive height to the gun, which means that a soldier can lie prone on the ground without exposing themselves too much.
Pan magazines have fallen out of favor due to their proneness to failure and the fact that they offer no advantages over belt-fed designs. They are now considered a “weird" and rare magazine design.
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They are flat and mounted on top of the gun
The pan magazine is a flat cylindrical shape that is mounted on top of the gun. This positioning allows the soldier to lie prone on the ground without exposing themselves too much. It also makes prone reloads easier. The cartridges in a pan magazine are arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and they rely on gravity to drop the cartridges into the action. The rounds rotate around the axle of the pan when feeding, with the rotational force usually being provided by some component of the gun's action.
The pan magazine is similar in shape to the drum magazine, but the latter is mounted from below the gun. The cartridges in a drum magazine are arranged parallel to the axis of rotation, and they are stored in a circular track around the outside of a rotating follower assembly. A snail drum stores the rounds in a spiral, while a double drum has two circular tracks that alternate feeding into a central feed column. Drum magazines are used primarily for light machine guns.
The pan magazine has fallen out of favour because they are prone to failure and offer no advantages over a belt-fed design. Some guns that featured pan magazines include the Lewis gun, the Bren light machine gun, the Degtyarev light machine gun, and the American-180 submachine gun. The Bira gun and the Lewis gun have notches or teeth on the outside of the magazine cover, which can be driven by a ratchet and pawl mechanism. In the case of a Bren gun or an American-180, the magazine is rotated by unwinding a circular spring.
Box magazines, on the other hand, may come in straight, angled, or curved forms depending on whether the cartridges are tapered, rimmed, rimless, or bottlenecked. Straight or slightly curved magazines work well with straight-sided rimless cartridges, angled magazines work well with straight-sided rimmed or rimless cartridges, and curved magazines work well with rimmed or rimless tapered cartridges. The most common types are single-column and double-column. Single-column magazines are usually found on pistols, while double-column magazines have the rounds staggered to fit more rounds into the magazine while keeping it relatively compact.
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They use gravity to drop cartridges into the action
Pan magazines are a type of firearm magazine that uses gravity to feed cartridges into the weapon's chamber. This is in contrast to other magazine designs that may use a spring-loaded mechanism to push cartridges upwards into the action. Pan mags, as they are often called, rely on a simple but effective design that has been used in various firearms, from rifles to machine guns.
The pan magazine design typically features a circular or curved shape, often resembling a "pan," which gives it its name. The cartridges are loaded into the pan, which is open at the top, and they fall into the magazine due to gravity. This design allows for a high capacity of ammunition to be stored and readily available for firing. The curved shape of the pan also helps guide the cartridges towards the action, ensuring smooth and reliable feeding.
Once the cartridges are loaded into the pan magazine, they are held in place by a retaining mechanism, such as a lip or a small detent. This prevents them from falling out of the magazine unintentionally. When the firearm is ready to be fired, the cartridges are released from this retaining mechanism, allowing them to drop one by one into the action.
The use of gravity as the primary force to feed cartridges into the action provides several advantages. Firstly, it simplifies the design of the magazine, as it eliminates the need for complex spring mechanisms. This simplicity can make pan magazines more reliable and easier to maintain and repair, especially in challenging field conditions. Additionally, the open-top design of pan magazines allows for easy loading, even when wearing gloves or in low-light situations.
The reliability and high capacity of pan magazines have made them a popular choice for various firearms, particularly in medium and heavy machine guns. Their design allows for sustained firing without the need for frequent reloading, making them effective in military and defense applications. While pan magazines have certain benefits, their bulk and weight may be considered a drawback in certain situations, especially for lightweight or compact firearm designs. Nonetheless, their performance in specific roles has ensured their continued use and development.
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Pan magazines are prone to failure
Pan magazines, an integral part of firearms, especially pistols and rifles, play a crucial role in ensuring smooth and reliable feeding of ammunition. However, their performance and longevity are often subject to scrutiny due to their inherent design and the demanding conditions they endure. The complexity of their mechanism and the precision required in manufacturing make them susceptible to various malfunctions and failures.
At the heart of a pan magazine's operation is the delicate interplay of springs, followers, and ammunition cartridges. The spring, coiled tightly within the magazine, exerts an upward force on the follower, which in turn pushes the cartridges towards the feed lips. This intricate mechanism is highly sensitive to any deviations in manufacturing tolerances, dimensional inconsistencies, or material defects. Even a minor flaw in the spring's coiling or the follower's dimensions can lead to feeding issues or complete failure of the magazine.
The demanding environment in which pan magazines operate further exacerbates the chances of failure. Repeated loading and unloading, especially in rapid-fire situations, subject the magazine to significant stress and wear. Over time, the spring may lose its tension, reducing its ability to exert sufficient force on the follower. This results in cartridges not being pushed upwards with enough force, leading to failures in feeding and potential jams. Additionally, the constant friction between the cartridges and the magazine walls can cause wear and tear, affecting the smoothness of the feeding process.
Contamination and debris are another set of common adversaries for pan magazines. As the magazine is exposed to dirt, sand, or other foreign particles, they can accumulate within the magazine well, interfering with the smooth movement of the follower and cartridges. This contamination can also affect the integrity of the spring, causing it to bind or corrode, ultimately leading to failure. In extreme cases, debris can even become lodged between the cartridges, preventing them from feeding properly and resulting in malfunctions during critical moments.
Furthermore, the design of pan magazines presents challenges in maintaining consistent and reliable feeding, especially when compared to other magazine types. The curved nature of the pan magazine, while advantageous for compactness and ease of loading, can sometimes lead to uneven distribution of cartridges. This uneven distribution may cause cartridges to stack unevenly, affecting the alignment and presentation of the top cartridge to the feed lips. As a result, feeding issues may arise, with cartridges failing to strip off smoothly or becoming stuck, leading to frustrating malfunctions at inopportune moments.
Lastly, the complexity of the pan magazine design also translates to increased maintenance requirements. Unlike simpler magazine designs, pan magazines necessitate periodic disassembly, cleaning, and lubrication to ensure optimal performance. Failure to adhere to proper maintenance routines can result in a buildup of grime, affecting the magazine's functionality. Additionally, the intricate nature of pan magazines demands careful reassembly, as incorrect installation of components can lead to malfunctions or even damage to the magazine body or feed lips.
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They are rare and have fallen out of favour
Magazine, often called a "mag", is an ammunition storage and feeding device for a repeating firearm. They come in many shapes and sizes, such as integral tubular magazines, detachable box magazines, and drum magazines. One of the rarer types of magazines is the pan magazine.
Pan magazines are a type of magazine that sits flat on top of the gun, allowing the soldier to lie prone on the ground without exposing themselves too much. They are mounted on top of the gun and use gravity to drop cartridges into the action. The cartridges in a pan magazine are arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation, while in a drum magazine, they are arranged parallel to the axis of rotation.
Pan magazines are rare and have fallen out of favour due to their proneness to failure and the lack of advantages they offer over belt-fed designs. They were essentially a top-loading drum that provided a low-profile source of firepower before belt-fed light machine guns became popular.
Some guns that featured pan magazines include the Lewis gun, the Bren light machine gun, the Degtyarev light machine gun, and the American-180 submachine gun. The Bira gun and the Lewis gun used a ratchet and pawl mechanism, while the Bren gun and the American-180 used an unwinding circular spring.
While pan magazines offered a compact and low-profile design, they were replaced by more reliable and efficient magazine types, such as box magazines and drum magazines, which are more commonly used in modern firearms.
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Frequently asked questions
A pan magazine is a type of ammunition storage device for firearms. It is flat and cylindrical in shape and is mounted on top of the gun.
Pan magazines use gravity to drop cartridges into the action. The cartridges are arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation and rotate around the axle of the pan when feeding.
Some guns that feature pan magazines are the Lewis gun, Bren light machine gun, Degtyarev light machine gun, and the American-180 submachine gun.
Pan magazines look similar to drum magazines, which are also cylindrical in shape. However, drum magazines are mounted from below the gun, whereas pan magazines are mounted on top.
Pan magazines have fallen out of favour because they are prone to failure and offer no advantages over belt-fed designs. They are also complex and expensive compared to other magazine designs.
