Duration: 03:53
Full ARKA video with discussion and disassembly:
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Full ARKA video with discussion and disassembly:
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Duration: 24:34
The ARKA is essentially FN's SCAR rifle on the inside but with more AR-style controls and handling. It was developed in response to a number of military and security service tenders which required specifically an AR-style top charging handle and AR-compatible buttstock. It is made in 11.25" and 14.5" barrel lengths, with long and short handguards. It will be interesting to see how this iteration of the rifle fares in international competitions.
Thanks to FN for giving me the opportunity to take a look at this new rifle!
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Duration: 11:37
Romanian Marshal Antonescu officially requested development of a sniper's rifle on January 22, 1942. The Romanian military at that point was using the vz24 Mauser rifle, and the Romanian optics company IOR developed a pair of optics to mount on that rifle - one 4.25x and on 6x. The design used many parts already in production at IOR, and was largely influenced by the Soviet PEM. On March 5th 1942 they were presented tot he government, which chose the lower magnification model and placed an order for 2,000 of them.
Production began in June 1942 at IOR, and the main Romanian Army arsenal build mounts and bases to fit them onto rifles. The project took a while to actually complete, as 1,810 were finished as of May 1944. Once the first order was complete, a second order for 7,000 more was placed. That second batch also used a different, stronger scope base. That second order was not finished by the end of the war, but production continued after the war, and the rifles were used as the primary Romanian Army marksman's rifle until he adoption of the PSL in the 1970s.
Thanks to Pera Baity and the ANCA for help with the data in this video!
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Duration: 18:16
My book on Finnish small arms is available for preorder:
https://www.headstamppublishing.com/forged-in-snow
The M92S is the semiautomatic civilian version of the Finnish military rk95 rifle. The rk95 was intended to be a modernization of the Finnish AK platform, but it fell victim to military funding cuts as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Only a small number were procured by the Finnish Defense Forces, and Sako only made about 2500 of the semiautomatic model for civilian and reservist use.
The M92 uses a brand new milled receiver design and includes a reinforced dust cover with rear aperture sight, a gas cutoff for rifle grenades (albeit never used), and mounting points for an optics siderail. The military rk95s all had sidefolding stocks, but the civilian model got a fixed stock as the folder would have made it much harder to register and own in Finland at the time.
These rifles, along with all the other Valmet factory semiauto rifles, just recently became importable thanks to the efforts of Postrock, of Garden City Kansas.
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Duration: 11:31
After World War One the French military created a plan to replace basically all of its small arms, including the array of handguns it had in use. The trials to adopt a single new replacement ultimately took nearly 15 years and actually resulted in two new pistols being chosen. One of these was the MAS Mle 1935S, and its roots go back to a model developed by MAS in 1925. This was a simply blowback design in 7.62x20mm (7.65 French Long) with an external hammer, single action trigger, and cartridge counting mechanism built into the frame. After testing in 1925, MAS made a number of revision to improve the gun, and this example is one of the Mle 1925M pistols that resulted.
Many thanks to the IRCGN (Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale) for allowing me access to film this very rare prototype for you!
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Duration: 18:38
The AK-12 went through an extensive development program that attempted to substantially change the AK design, but failed. In 2015 the early design plans were scrapped, and the project reverted to simply making some changes to the AK-100 series. This resulted in the AK-12 being adopted as the new Russian standard infantry rifle in December 2017. The rifle in today's video is that original adopted pattern. It uses a collapsing and side-folding stock, a substantially redesigned railed top cover with a rear-mounted RPK-style aperture sight, a combined gas and front sight block, a permanently affixed gas tube, and a trigger mechanism with safe, semi, 2-round burst, and full auto settings.
This AK-12 was captured by Ukrainian forces with the Magpul magazine you see in the video. The folks who gave me access to film it remain anonymous, and I very much appreciate their help!
AK-12 improved 2019 model:
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Duration: 30:01
Yugoslavia never received a technical data package or license for the AK; they reverse engineered the system themselves in the 1960s. In the process, they created a version of the AK noted for its ruggedness. In addition, they added a number of features to facilitate rifle grenade usage. Over the course of many iterations the rifle remained designated the M70, leading to a lot of confusion about what models are what. Today we are going through the whole series of changes.
M70 - Original milled receiver, with bolt hold-open, fixed stock, and screwed-in barrel
M70A - Underfolder version of the M70
M70B - Milled receiver, pinned-in barrel, standard magazines, fixed stock
M70AB - Underfolder version of M70B
M70B1 - Stamped receiver (1.5mm), bulged trunnion, fixed stock
M70AB1 - Stamped receiver (0.9mm), flat trunnion, underfolder
M70AB2 - Stamped receiver (1.5mm), bulged trunnion, underfolder
Thanks to Zastava USA for making this video possible!
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Duration: 05:49
Given the influx of very inexpensive Beretta M1934 pistols into the US market - and the fact that I have a fine Carabinieri hat - it is a no-brainer to run the monthly Back Up Gun match with one. It's chambered for .380 ACP (aka 9mm Corto) and holds 7 rounds in the magazine...a perfect "backup gun" candidate.
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Duration: 59:49
Thanks to Kyro for sponsoring the Q&A! Get 10% off all spirits with code FORGOTTENMALT10:
https://www.kyrodistillery.com
01:13 - Rifles that arrived too early
04:14 - DETAC Arms' new rimless 12ga shotgun
09:55 - WWCD (What Would Cooper Do)
13:34 - The P7Pro
15:14 - Mauser bolt actions with aperture sights?
16:16 - If NATO had adopted an intermediate cartridge, what would it have been?
19:35 - PM63, Stechkin, or vz61?
21:58 - How much does old metallurgy contribute to weak antique actions?
25:29 - Current US-made FAMAS
27:14 - Long & convoluted feed paths?
29:35 - Japan's reduced-power 7.62x51 NATO loading
32:57 - Did German engineers help perfect the stamped AKM?
36:10 - 6.8 SPC vs 6.8x51 / .277 Fury
42:53 - AR charging handle options
43:55 - Why squared-off trigger guards on pistols?
46:00 - What collections are the most difficult to access?
48:32 - Market for collecting vintage suppressors?
51:50 - With the NFA transfer tax gone, will the whole law be scrapped?
54:08 - Are replicas worth collecting?
57:54 - Amorality of firearms
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Duration: 19:17
The AK-12 went through an extensive development program that attempted to substantially change the AK design, but failed. In 2015 the early design plans were scrapped, and the project reverted to simply making some changes to the AK-100 series. This resulted in the AK-12 being adopted as the new Russian standard infantry rifle in December 2017. Within a short time a number of shortcomings were found in the rifles, and an improved model was accepted in 2019, with deliveries beginning in 2020.
The rifle in today's video is that improved 2019 pattern. It has a redesigned stock, a new style of rear sight, and new pistol grip. Many thanks to the IRCGN (Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale) for allowing me access to film this very rare rifle for you!
Balanced-recoil AK-107:
https://www.floatplane.com/post/2XS2E0WApt
Duration: 17:54
SIG introduced the 540 series of rifles in 1973, which included the full-length 540 in 5.56mm, the 541 in a number of experimental calibers for the Swiss military, the 542 in 7.62mm NATO, and the 543 carbine with an 11.8" (300mm) barrel in 5.56mm. In 1978 they licensed production of the 540, 542, and 543 to Manurhin in France, to sidestep Swiss export laws. The rifles were sold to a wide variety of small nations in Africa, South America, Asia, and the Middle East - including Lebanon, where this example came from. A batch of 542 and 543 kits came into the US from Lebanon recently, and Troy Ess at TTE Precision Metalwerks developed semiauto receivers for them.
Disclaimer: I paid in full for everything in this video.
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Duration: 20:44
Rock Island Arsenal is best known for its Philippine-made 1911s, but expended into US pistol production with a novel design a couple years ago. The call it the 5.0, and it uses an interesting vertically-traveling locking block instead of the typical Browning tilting-barrel system. It is (concealed) hammer fired, chambered for 9x19mm, with a 4.9 inch barrel. They subsequently released the improved 5.0E ("Enhanced") model, and that is what we are looking at.
It is not a perfect gun, but it is remarkably fun to shoot - recoil is soft, muzzle climb is quite good, and it just has a subjective feel that is excellent - everyone who shoots it really likes it. The mechanical design is innovative and very simple, and it has the potential to be very successful. However, it is priced at an eye-watering 2k MSRP (about 15% less at retail). It's not really optimized for any particular use; it doesn't have things like a magazine funnel and gas pedal to attract competition shooters, it's too big to be a good compact carry pistol. RIA initially promised all sorts of modular options and accessories, none of which have become a reality (shocking, I know).
So it's left being a legitimately very nice pistol but at a price point that really leaves me wondering who the expected customer base is.
Disclosure: RIA provided this pistol to me free of charge for filming.
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Duration: 10:46
When the Soviet Union collapsed, there was a gold rush for the surplus guns held by all the various newly independent republics, as well as the Warsaw Pact nations. Lord of War is not far off...and Val Forgett was there, bringing guns into the US for Navy Arms.
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Duration: 15:43
The very first iteration of the HK 33 roller-delayed rifle was included in early US rifle testing in Vietnam. H&K worked with Harrington & Richardson as their US representative, who did final assembly on a small number of trials rifles and marked them "H&R T223". These went to Vietnam for testing and while the Army opted to stick with the M16, at least one of the test guns was kept by a member of Seal Team 2 and used in combat later (this is where the Vietnam photos of the T223 come from).
The T223 is most unusual for having an automatic bolt hold-open, a feature not seen in another 5.56mm H&K rifle until the trials G41 model. This hold open only functioned when the rifle was actually fired empty; it did not engage when the bolt was manually opened with the charging handle. While unique magazines are required for the hold open feature, regular HK33 magazines do function otherwise. The T223 includes a number of other very early features including a rib for a detachable bipod, a single-pin buttstock, cut-down G3 handguard, unique rear sight configuration, and lack of buffer in either the buttstock or bolt carrier.
Thanks to the Institute of Military Technology for allowing me to have access to these prototypes and bring them to you! Check them out at:
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Duration: 14:09
North Korea is too poor to finance social credit points, but if they did have them, you'd get loads for wearing our Best Korea propaganda shirt:
https://varusteleka.com/en-us/products/forgotten-weapons-best-korea-propaganda-t-shirt
North Korea began making a version of the AKM in 1968. In addition to the Type 68 with a fixed stock, they also made the Type 68-1 with an underfolding stock. Both use stamped receivers and are generally parts-interchangeable with other AKMs, but have a number of unique and distinct features. It is also worth noting that manufacturing quality on these rifles is poor by AK standards, and construction most likely required hand fitting.
The most substantial elements visible from the exterior are a lightening cut in the rear face of the front sight block, a ribbed trigger guard, and a sling loop in the gas block. Internally, the front trunnion is reinforced, the rear trunnion (for the underfolder) uses a separate weldment to hold the hinge axis, and the gas tube is made form rolled and spot-welded sheet steel.
The Type 68 and 68-1 were sold extensively around the world to generate hard currency. The normal export models use a "III" battle sight marking, blank receiver, and selector markings of an infinity symbol and numeral 1. This rifle came form a batch sold to an Arabic-speaking nation (most likely Syria) and uses an Arabic "ta" character on the rear sight and selector markings of S, A, and R. Domestic North Korean military models use Korean characters and also have a Type 68 marking and circled star property mark on the front left of the receiver.
North Korean Type 58 video:
Conflict Armament Research guide to North Korean AK identification:
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Duration: 16:56
The Masterpiece Arms MPA-971 was designed in 2003, at the tail end of the US Federal Assault Weapons Ban. Among other things, the ban prohibited the manufacture or import of magazines holding more than 10 rounds, and so MPA based this design on finding a readily available and inexpensive source of large magazines grandfathered in from before the ban. That turned out to be the Suomi drum, and they combined it with a FAL lower receiver and a MAC-10 style bolt mechanism (MAC-type pistols were MPA's main business at the time).
The result was the MPA-971, a have and awkward PCC that was nonetheless surprisingly reliable. I don't know what total production was, but probably not all that many, as the AWB did actually sunset in 2004 (contrary to expectations).
Many thanks to Step for loaning me this example to film!
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Duration: 08:37
This is a one-of-a-kind prototype of a .25ACP blow forward pistol made by Iver Johnson. It was patented in 1916 (patent applied for in 1912) by William O. Barnes of Massachusetts, and assigned to Iver Johnson. We don't know much more about it, but it was probably dropped by the company for not working well.
Patent for this pistol: https://patents.google.com/patent/US1173161A
Thanks to Joe Salter for loaning me this piece to film!
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Duration: 09:01
Remington introduced the Model 17 as a lightweight 20ga pump shotgun in 1921. In addition to a variant of sporting grades and a 20” barreled riot model, they also offered the “Police Special” configuration. This was a 14.5 inch barrel with a 4+1 capacity and a Shockwave-style pistol grip in place of a normal shoulder stock (although the guns were generally supplied with a spare stock as well). These were intended as a very compact option for special police requirements - stakeouts, undercover work, or a need to conceal a shotgun on an officer’s person. Only a few hundred were sold, and they are a very interesting side of fighting shotgun history.
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Duration: 10:39
When the US military adopted 7.62mm NATO, the Army considered converting M1 Garands to the new caliber, and decided it wasn’t worthwhile. For them, Garands in .30-06 were perfectly suitable for training, and a large supply of .30-06 ammunition was still on hand. For the Navy, however, the calculation was different. The Navy knew it was a relatively low priority for new M14 rifles but wanted ammunition commonality with the new standard - so they decided to convert about 30,000 Garands to 7.62mm NATO.
These conversions were initially don by simply pressing a chamber bushing into place (plus adding a spacer block in the magazine and slightly opening up the gas port). Conversions were done by American Machine & Foundry (AMF) and Harrington & Richardson (H&R) under the designation Mk2 Mod0. Unfortunately, the chamber bushings often came loose. Eventually the Navy gave up and bought a batch of new 7.62x51mm barrels from Springfield in 1965 and 1966, and changed the conversion program to a full barrel replacement - designated Mk2 Mod1.
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Duration: 10:11
When Walther first developed the P38, it was designated the Heerespistole - “Army Pistol”. Only after getting official Wehrmacht adoption did it get the designation P38. Walther offered models with both designations for commercial sale, albeit not to just anyone. Army officers, Party members, and other high-placed individuals could get pistols from Walther outside military orders. About 20,000 such guns were made during the war, and a tiny subset of them - just 225 - were made specifically in 7.65mm Parabellum instead of 9mm Parabellum. Today we are looking at two examples of those…
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