During my juvenile delinquency period (no convictions), a Winchester Model 63 made for one heck of a “beginner’s machine gun.” It has the same fire control system as the M1 Carbine. I somehow figured out that a 1/4” length of stripped solid copper electrical wire, commonly used in house construction during those years, when laid sideways between the sear and trigger, enabled rock and roll at about 600 rounds per minute. If I got off the trigger quick enough each time, I could get three 3-round bursts, plus one shot, from the 10 round tubular magazine in the butt before it ran dry. I even made a cute wooden clamp-on bipod for it. A 3-round burst of Winchester Super X hollow points would sure do a number on a plump California Ground Squirrel, I can tell you.
The nicest thing about it was the quick thumbscrew takedown feature at the upper rear of the receiver. If the federales ever came over the hill to see what all the rat-tat-tat was about, the small piece of copper wire could be in the dirt and stepped on before they could get to me.
Big fun.
I was gifted a 63 that was so worn that if you held it upside down when firing it would go full auto most of the time. Why would any kid fire a rifle upside down? When you are 13, lots of stuff makes sense.
