This video analyzes a claim by Hamas's Al Qassam Brigade to have manufactured .50 caliber sniper rifles in Gaza. The creator, drawing on their expertise in firearms manufacturing, examines footage to assess the authenticity of these claims. The analysis references reports on the Iranian AM-50 anti-materiel rifle, a copy of the Steyr HS-50, suggesting a potential origin or inspiration for the claimed Hamas-made rifles. The video aims to provide a detailed look at the manufacturing process and the rifles themselves.
This video features an interview with Miles Vining, co-creator of Silah Report, an organization dedicated to researching firearms in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Vining highlights Silah Report's expertise in regional languages, customs, and technical firearm knowledge. The description also mentions Vining's published works in prominent firearms publications and directs viewers to Silah Report's website and social media, as well as collaborations with Khyber Armoury and Forgotten Weapons.
This video explores the Vietnam-era Mk18 Mod0 hand-crank grenade launcher, a pioneering weapon developed by Honeywell in 1962. Unlike modern self-loading systems, it operated via a manual crank, similar to a Gatling gun. The Mk18 utilized the same 40x46mm grenade cartridge as the M79, enabling a unique breech mechanism where cartridges remained in their belt. The video details its operation, its unusual breech design with rotating spindles, and its limited effective range which led to its primary use by the US Navy on riverine patrol boats, where its high volume of firepower was an asset. The content is presented in conjunction with Armament Research Services (ARES).
This video from Armament Research Services (ARES) examines the Prairie Gun Works Timberwolf, a bolt-action precision rifle. Initially developed as a commercial rifle, it won Canadian trials in 2001 to become the C14 Timberwolf Medium Range Sniper Weapon System, replacing the C3A1. The video showcases the British trials version (serial number UK001), which was tested by the British military but ultimately not adopted in favor of Accuracy International rifles. Both the Canadian issue and British trials configurations are chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum. The description also links to a companion blog post and mentions ARES' expertise in arms and munitions intelligence.
This video reviews the B&T VP9, a modern suppressed pistol that draws heavy inspiration from the British SOE Welrod pistol of World War II. The VP9 is a manually operated 9x19mm handgun with an integrated suppressor featuring rubber wipes. The review highlights its compact and concealable design, manual bolt action, and the performance characteristics of its suppressor, noting that the effectiveness of the wipes diminishes with use. The presenter discusses the pistol's close resemblance to the Welrod and its intended purpose, emphasizing it's not designed for rapid firing. Links to detailed photos and related content are provided.
This video features a range test of the EM-2 rifle, chambered in .280 British. The presenter, from Armament Research Services (ARES), discusses the rifle's handling characteristics, comparing its performance in semiautomatic and full-automatic fire. He notes the .280 British cartridge offers a more balanced recoil impulse than 7.62mm NATO, making the EM-2 more effective in semiautomatic mode. The video also touches upon the rifle's history as part of the Shrivenham working reference collection and mentions encountering minor feed malfunctions due to the age of the prototype. Companion blog posts with detailed photos are linked.
This video from Armament Research Services (ARES) delves into the British Thorpe EM-1, a post-WWII bullpup rifle development. It highlights the EM-1's ambitious goal of replacing both infantry rifles and submachine guns, its roller-locked operating system (akin to the German Gerat 06 but with key differences), long recoil gas piston, and the .280 British cartridge. The analysis notes its innovative automatic bolt-chambering mechanism upon magazine insertion but also points out its overly complex design, which led to its discontinuation in favor of the simpler EM-2 for NATO trials.
This video from Armament Research Services (ARES) delves into the rare Korsac EM-1, a British/Polish bullpup light machine gun developed between 1945 and 1947. It was based on the German FG-42 paratrooper rifle and chambered in 8mm Mauser. The EM-1 featured a magazine adapted from the ZB-26 and a unique operating mechanism with both open-bolt automatic and closed-bolt semi-automatic fire. While only two prototypes were built, and only one completed to firing condition, the development of the EM-1 influenced the later EM-2 rifle. The video highlights its design, historical context, and a brief mention of reliability issues.
This video from Armament Research Services (ARES) delves into the history of the SA80 rifle program, focusing on its carbine variants, specifically the L22A2 and experimental L85 carbines. It explores the original intention of the SA80 to combine rifle and submachine gun roles in a bullpup design. The video examines early prototypes and the L22A2, which entered service in 2003 with H&K A2 upgrades, despite the absence of an L22A1 model. Companion blog posts are provided for detailed imagery.
This video delves into the pre-production history of the SA80 rifle, focusing on the XL85 and XL86 variants. It highlights key mechanical changes, such as the redesigned magazine well for improved precision and the addition of a barrel support on the Light Support Weapon (LSW) to address the persistent 'split group' issue. The video also touches upon the declining morale at RSAF Enfield due to impending factory closure, which is suggested to have impacted quality control. Companion blog posts offer detailed photographic evidence.
This video delves into the history of the SA80 rifle family, specifically focusing on the XL70 series final prototypes, including both the Individual Weapon (IW) and Light Support Weapon (LSW) variants. It highlights critical design and testing issues that plagued the development, such as extremely low Mean Rounds Between Failure (MRBF) rates, far below the initial targets. The description details how RSAF Enfield allegedly altered testing parameters to achieve seemingly better results rather than fixing fundamental problems. Furthermore, the video touches upon the endemic issue of split groups in the LSW during full-auto fire, which was never fully resolved. Armament Research Services (ARES) provides expertise in this technical intelligence analysis.
This video analyzes the British L129A1 Sharpshooter Rifle, a 7.62mm designated marksman rifle adopted by the British military to address long engagement ranges in Afghanistan. The rifle was chosen over competitors like the H&K 417 and Lewis Machine & Tool LM7. The L129A1 is currently being considered for an expanded role as a sniper support weapon, necessitating the development of new armor-piercing ammunition. The content is presented by Armament Research Services (ARES) and features a companion blog post with detailed photos.
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