True or False: Straight blowback firearms are locked by the bolt engaging locking lugs within the barrel.

Straight blowback firearms operate on a simple mechanism where the mass of the bolt and the spring tension play critical roles in the function of the firearm. In this system, the bolt does not engage locking lugs within the barrel as seen in more complex systems like locked breech firearms. Instead, the bolt is free to move backward upon firing, as the pressure from the cartridge is managed solely by the mass of the bolt and the recoil spring.

This mechanism relies on the bolt’s mass being sufficient to prevent rearward motion until the bullet has left the barrel and gas pressure has dropped to a safe level. Therefore, the assertion that straight blowback firearms are locked by the bolt engaging locking lugs is inaccurate and signifies a fundamental misunderstanding of how this type of action operates.

The simplicity of the design is what allows straight blowback systems to be reliable and effective for certain calibers, primarily those of lower power. In contrast, other systems like locked breech are necessary for higher caliber firearms where the pressures generated require a more complex locking system to safely handle the forces involved.