Videos tagged with Military Small Arms

This video delves into a unique variant of the Albanian Kalashnikov rifle, the ASh-78/82 series, specifically focusing on a model designed for launching rifle grenades. The presenter highlights its distinctive modifications, including a redesigned rear sight block with a hinged top cover, repositioned rear sight, strengthened top cover attachment, the addition of a gas cutoff and grenade spigot at the front, and an unusually lengthened barrel. The video acknowledges the Royal Armouries for providing access to this rare firearm and promotes their collections and research opportunities.

This video examines a unique Bulgarian Makarov pistol featuring a slide-locking mechanism designed to reduce noise during suppressed firing. Unlike typical slide locks aimed at brass concealment, this modification prevents the slide from cycling, thereby minimizing the sound of escaping gas and chambering a new round, which are significant noise contributors even with subsonic ammunition. The presenter highlights that this is not a factory variant but an interesting custom modification. The video also provides links to a silenced pistol playlist, research opportunities at the Royal Armouries, firearms reference books, and the presenter's supporting platforms.

This video examines the rare Hovea M44, a submachine gun prototype developed by Husqvarna and tested by the Danish and Swedish militaries in 1945. It competed against the Carl Gustaf M45 and was based on the Suomi quad-stack magazine design. Although Sweden selected the Carl Gustaf, Denmark showed interest in the Hovea, leading to the development of the modified Hovea M49, which was adopted by the Danish service. The video features close-up views and disassembly of a prototype from the Royal Armouries collection, highlighting its historical significance and design elements.

This video reviews "The World's Assault Rifles," a book described as essential for any firearm enthusiast's library. The author highlights its broad scope and deep detail, making it a foundational reference for modern military small arms. The video also includes links to the publisher for purchasing the book and to the creator's Patreon and merchandise store.

This video provides an in-depth look at the Schmeisser MK-36,II, a rare prototype submachine gun from the mid-1930s, housed at the British Royal Armouries. The presenter details its simple blowback design, wooden stock, and chambering in 9x19mm (and a variant in 9x25mm for Hungarian trials). It highlights the unusual magazine safety and its significant influence on the later MP38 and MP40 designs, particularly its magazine, bolt, and fire control system. The video also mentions the NFC collection at the Royal Armouries as a valuable resource for researchers.

This video explores the Colt Model 608, a prototype AR-15 variant developed in 1965 as an aircraft survival rifle for the US Air Force. It was designed to be compact, weighing 4.75 pounds and measuring 17.6 inches disassembled, fitting into small spaces with four 20-round magazines. The rifle featured a 10-inch barrel, fixed tubular stock, and a cut-down grip. Only ten or fewer prototypes were produced. The video thanks the Royal Armouries for access to film and disassemble the rifle.

This video delves into the MAC Model 1947 Prototype SMGs, a result of French military efforts to develop new small arms post-WWII. The focus is on a 9mm Parabellum requirement for lightweight, handy, and foldable submachine guns. The video showcases early designs from the Chatellerault (MAC) arsenal, highlighting a very light lever-delayed blowback system that unfortunately suffered from poor ergonomics. Many thanks are extended to the French IRCGN for granting access to these unique specimens for filming.

This video delves into the Simson P08 Luger, manufactured under the strict constraints of the Treaty of Versailles. Simson & Co. was the sole entity permitted to produce and modify military small arms for Germany, acquiring P08 Luger tooling from the Erfurt arsenal. Production began in 1925, with just under 12,000 pistols made between 1925 and 1934. Early production featured chamber dates, which transitioned to blank chambers for most of the run. These pistols were intended for Army and police use. The video highlights a specific 1926 dated example with an unusual serial number placement, suggesting it was a quality control holdover from 1925.

This video provides an in-depth examination of the SIG AK-53, a highly unusual experimental self-loading rifle developed by SIG. The description details its unique forward-operating barrel system, gas operation, and a reverse feeding magazine. Due to its complexity, only prototypes were ever produced. The video features footage and disassembly of the rifle, with thanks extended to the Royal Armouries for access to this rare firearm.

This video is a book review of Steve Houghton's "The British Sniper: A Century of Evolution." The book covers British sniper rifles, accessory equipment, and training from WWI to the present, with a particular focus on the Accuracy International L96A1 and Arctic Warfare rifles. It details rifle development, optics, supplementary gear, and includes first-hand anecdotes. The review highlights its usefulness for authenticating rifles and strongly recommends it for those interested in sniping or British military small arms. The book is available directly from the publisher, not Amazon.

This video delves into the history of B&T (Brügger & Thomet), highlighting their origins in silencer manufacturing in Switzerland. It explores how the company evolved to produce firearms, gaining significant success and partnering with major entities like HK for designs used by global military and police forces. The discussion touches upon their early silencer designs and sheds light on historical details that fuel online debates about innovation timelines.