This video features a range test of the semiautomatic SAR-80 rifle, also referred to as the "Sterling Assault Rifle." The SAR-80 was designed by Frank Waters at Sterling but produced by Chartered Industries of Singapore. The description highlights its simplified, stripped-down design, essentially a derivative of the AR-180. The video notes the limited availability of SAR-80 kits in the US and TTE Precision Metalwerks' current production of semiautomatic versions. The creator purchased the rifle personally to support companies specializing in historic firearms.
This YouTube video, titled "Forged in Snow UPDATE: Valmet Semiauto/Export Rifles Goal MET!", announces the successful achievement of a goal related to Valmet semi-automatic and export rifles, likely within the context of a crowdfunding campaign. The description encourages viewers to check out the linked Kickstarter project for more details, indicating a community-driven development or production effort. The video serves as an update to a project named 'Forged in Snow'.
This video provides an update on the "Forged in Snow" project, confirming that the goal for Valmet Semiauto/Export Rifles has been met. The description encourages viewers to check out the Kickstarter campaign for more details on this undertaking, highlighting the effort involved for the audience's benefit.
This video features a review of the Gorilla GF-10, a lightweight AR-10 platform rifle chambered in 8.6mm Blackout. The reviewer highlights its light weight (7.2 pounds with a 16" barrel), making it non-NFA. The rifle is tested with a Q Porq Chop suppressor and subsonic ammunition, resulting in a quiet and low-recoil shooting experience. A key focus is the ballistic gel test of Gorilla's 342gr subsonic expanding ammunition, showcasing its impressive expansion and mass retention, attributed to the 8.6mm cartridge's 1:3" rifling. The video also mentions alternative chamberings (.243 Win, .260 Rem, 6.5CM, .308 Win) and a pistol variant.
This video examines Captain Carl Pelo's 1954 prototype semi-automatic rifle, developed by Sako. The design features a short recoil mechanism with locking flaps, similar to Degtyarev machine guns. Pelo attempted to market his rifle to Finnish, British, and Swedish forces without success, primarily due to procurement issues and Finland's eventual adoption of the 7.62x39mm cartridge, rendering his design obsolete. Despite performing well in Finnish trials, it was rejected. The video showcases a rare surviving example from Sako's factory museum.
This video explores the Roth Haenel Model 1899, a semiautomatic sporting rifle developed by Georg Roth and Karel Krnka. Marketed by Haenel, the rifle featured a long recoil, rotating bolt design and was chambered for the 8x45mm cartridge. The description highlights the rifle's high price ($150 around 1900-1905) as a likely reason for its lack of commercial success, especially when compared to much cheaper bolt-action rifles and shotguns. The video also touches upon the question of whether it was the first commercial sporting semiautomatic rifle available, noting its contemporary status with early Remington and Winchester offerings.
This video delves into the history and mechanics of the Farquhar-Hill, a British semi-automatic rifle developed before World War I. The description highlights its unique spring-buffered gas-operated mechanism, designed by Arthur Hill and financed by Mowbray Farquhar. Initially conceived as a long-recoil system, it was modified before production. The rifle fired the .303 British cartridge and was intended for 19-round drum magazines. A large British military order was cancelled due to the end of WWI, with only a limited number of military and sporting patterns reaching civilian hands. The video also touches upon Farquhar's subsequent work on machine guns.
This video delves into the General Liu rifle, China's early attempt at an indigenous semi-automatic infantry rifle before World War II. Designed by General Liu himself, the rifle utilized a gas-trap mechanism similar to the Danish Bang rifle. The Hanyang Arsenal was set to produce it, with machinery contracted from Pratt & Whitney. Despite successful testing of sample rifles, the project faltered due to General Liu's incapacitation before the production tooling arrived. The machinery was eventually repurposed, and the General Liu rifle never entered widespread production. The video also references related gas-operated rifles like the M1 Garand, Gewehr 41, and Pedersen designs for comparison.
This video provides an in-depth look at the Armaguerra Model 1939, an Italian semi-automatic rifle that never reached mass production. The presenter details its intended role to replace the Carcano bolt-action rifles, its initial adoption of the 7.35mm cartridge, and subsequent redesign for the 6.5x52mm. Key mechanical features, including its short recoil action and pivoting locking block, are highlighted, along with its unique charging system using the sling swivel and its use of Carcano en bloc clips. The video also touches on the logistical and financial reasons that prevented its widespread adoption and mentions related Italian semi-automatic rifle designs.
This video provides an in-depth look at the French C6 Long-Recoil Prototype Semiauto Rifle, a historical firearm developed as part of French military trials for self-loading rifles prior to World War I. The C6, designed by Chauchat and Sutter, features a long recoil action, a unique locking system, and fires a powerful 7mm rimless cartridge. While ultimately deemed too complex for military adoption, it represents an interesting evolutionary step in French firearm development alongside other experimental series like the Meunier (A series) and Rossignol (B series). The video highlights the rifle's design and its place in the history of military rifle development.
This video provides an in-depth look at a rare Frommer prototype semiautomatic rifle. The presenter details its operation, highlighting its long-recoil, rotating-bolt design, a mechanism also found in Frommer's well-known pistols like the Frommer Stop. While production and performance details are unknown, the video offers a clear visual examination of this unique firearm, likely of interest to historical firearms enthusiasts and collectors.
This video explores the Hagen Prototype Semiauto Rifle, an early design by a Norwegian and manufactured in the UK. Despite its light and sleek profile, featuring a long stroke gas piston and a two-lug rotating bolt, it was never adopted by any military due to durability issues, with testing in French service ending prematurely due to parts breakage. The rifle did incorporate unique features like a magazine cartridge counter and a semi-auto/manual selector switch. The video also links to several other prototype and historical firearm reviews, providing context for early semi-automatic rifle development.
