Videos tagged with Military Carbine

The Beretta M1918 is a rare Italian semi-automatic carbine from WWI, often mistaken for a submachine gun but firing only in semi-auto. It reuses parts from the 1915 Villar Perosa and operates from an open bolt with a delayed blowback system for safety. Chambered in 9mm Glisenti, it features a unique 25-round magazine and a trigger guard repurposed from a Vetterli rifle.

This video compares the US Military M4 carbine with a high-end civilian AR-15, the ADM UIC MOD2. While the M4 is presented as a reliable, iconic 'workhorse' adhering to Mil-Spec standards, the ADM showcases modern advancements in ergonomics, materials, and controls. Live-fire testing reveals the ADM's superior shootability and flatter recoil impulse compared to the M4's more 'clunky' feel, likening the M4 to a classic muscle car and the ADM to a modern performance vehicle.

The Werder Model 1869 is a unique Bavarian breech-loading rifle featuring a distinctive 'backwards trigger' lever that operates the falling block and a powerful extractor. This design, based on the Peabody system, significantly sped up manual reloading compared to contemporary rifles. Originally chambered in 11x50mm Werder, many were later converted to 11x60mm Mauser. The rifle played a role in the historical context of the Franco-Prussian War.

This expert-level review of the 1893 Lee-Metford Trials Carbine, presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons, details a rare pre-production prototype. The carbine showcases a blend of Lee-Metford and Martini features, highlighting design evolution and military trial requirements. Key observations include the absence of a safety, a reduced magazine capacity, and unique design elements that were later refined for the adopted Mark 1 version.

The Burgess 1878 Military Carbine, chambered in .45-70 Government, was an innovative lever-action rifle produced by Whitneyville Armory. It featured a unique and robust locking bar mechanism designed by Andrew Burgess, capable of handling high pressures. Despite its strength, the carbine faced production issues, including jamming in its side-loading variant and dangerous ammunition detonation problems with Remington UMC cartridges, which ultimately limited its military adoption and commercial success.

The G40k was a rare German experimental Mauser carbine from 1940, designed for specialty troops with a shortened 19.3-inch barrel. Only about two dozen were produced before the project was abandoned in favor of Czech designs. Key features include a drilled bolt knob for weight reduction and a unique nose cap design.

The Smith Carbine was a popular breech-loading firearm for Union cavalry during the Civil War, designed by Gilbert Smith and produced by multiple manufacturers. Its innovative India rubber cartridge provided effective breech sealing (obturation). Over 31,000 units were delivered, and many survive today due to post-war surplus sales.

This video details the historical development of the M4 Carbine, tracing its origins from Vietnam-era experimental models like the XM177. It covers critical technical evolutions, including gas system adjustments, receiver and stock enhancements, and solutions for feeding and extraction reliability issues encountered with specific ammunition. The discussion also clarifies naming conventions and the impact of licensing agreements on Colt's development path.

The Burnside Carbine, designed by Ambrose Burnside, was the first U.S. military arm to use a self-contained metallic cartridge. Its unique tapered brass cartridge required a separate percussion cap and expanded to seal the breech. The carbine saw significant use with Union cavalry during the Civil War, with several design variations improving its functionality over time.

The Frank Wesson Rimfire Carbine, patented in 1859-1862, featured a unique dual-trigger break-open action for single-shot rimfire cartridges. While originally produced as sporting arms, a military variant in .44 rimfire was adopted by state militias, though its lack of an extractor proved a significant flaw. Despite its light weight and innovative design, the operational difficulty led many soldiers to discard the weapon.

This review details the rare Sharps & Hankins 1862 Navy Carbine, a .52 caliber rimfire firearm produced for the US Navy. Key features include a unique sliding barrel action for loading, a spring-loaded extractor, and an innovative floating firing pin with a safety block. The carbine's design aimed to address corrosion with a factory-issued leather barrel cover, highlighting the ingenuity of Christian Sharps and Hankins.

This video provides a detailed look at the Beretta 1918/30 carbine and compares its bolt mechanism to those found in later Beretta submachine guns. The description highlights the unusual semi-automatic design of the 1918/30, which utilizes a hammer mechanism rather than the fixed firing pin common in similar firearms. A link to a photo gallery in the Forgotten Weapons Vault is provided for further examination of the 1918/30.