Videos tagged with Works 11

This video explores the PT-83, a rare silenced prototype variant of the Polish P-83 pistol. Designed for the military, the PT-83 featured a fixed barrel and a unique recoil spring placement below the suppressor, along with a clever trigger-based slide locking system to keep the slide closed during firing. Despite its innovative design, the project was ultimately cancelled, with only a few prototypes ever being produced. The video showcases one such prototype, thanks to access granted by Works 11.

This video explores Poland's ambitious 'Project Lantan' from the early 1970s, an initiative to develop a modular small arms system intended to replace the 7.62x39mm Kalashnikov rifle. The project aimed for a versatile design, similar to the Stoner 63, capable of configurations ranging from carbines to squad automatic weapons. A key element was the development of a new 7x41mm cartridge. Two prototypes were built, with one being examined in detail. The project was ultimately suppressed by the Soviet Union due to their desire for Warsaw Pact caliber commonality and to extract licensing fees for their own AK-74 and 5.45x39mm cartridge, though Poland did manage to reverse-engineer elements into their own Tantal rifle design. The video highlights the rarity and historical significance of these early Lantan prototypes.

This video explores the RWGŁ-3, a Polish tear gas launcher developed for riot police following the 1956 Poznań protests. Designed to counter protests where hand-thrown tear gas was returned, the RWGŁ-3 utilizes a significant number of AK parts for cost-effective production. It features a stamped-receiver AK chassis with no gas system, replaced by a gas launching cup. Firing 7.62x39mm blank cartridges, it uses a modified 10-round AK magazine and AK grips to manage recoil, launching tear gas grenades at a much greater range than manual throwing. The weapon saw substantial production and export within the Warsaw Pact and allied nations.

This video explores the RWGŁ-2, an experimental Polish gas launcher developed in the aftermath of the 1956 Poznań protests. Designed for riot police, this unique firearm combines a Mosin-Nagant action with Polish AK grips and a gas launching cup. It utilizes a modified 10-round AK magazine chambered for blank 7.62x39mm cartridges to propel tear gas grenades much further than hand-throwing. The RWGŁ-2 was a stepping stone in the development of crowd control launchers, preceding the RWGŁ-3. The video highlights its rare and experimental nature, thanks to access provided by Works 11.