(Almost) 500,000 Subscribers? Time for a Pattern Room Teaser!

Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries discusses the L85A1's inherent design flaws, predating manufacturing issues. He also touches upon how strict UK gun laws paradoxically aid the Royal Armouries in acquiring modern firearms for its reference collection. The historical 'Pattern Room' is highlighted as a crucial resource for military weapon standards.

This entry details the unique bullpup design of the S.R.E.M. experimental sniper rifle from Britain. Expert firearms historian Ian McCollum explains its pistol grip operated manual bolt-action, designed for snipers to cycle the weapon without losing their sight picture. The guide covers the operation of the bolt mechanism and safety features of this rare prototype.

Ian McCollum and Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries present a challenge to find three unique firearms based on appearance, mechanical oddity, and historical impact. They showcase experimental and rare pieces like the Charlton Automatic Rifle, Sterling 7.62mm prototype, Schwarzlose Model 1898, Gabbett-Fairfax Mars pistol, an SA80 prototype, and a BSA Machine Carbine, highlighting their unusual mechanisms and limited adoption.

This video provides an in-depth look at the BSA-28P Automatic Rifle, a post-war British experimental firearm. Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries, details its design, operating mechanism, and historical context within Britain's search for a new service rifle. The entry highlights the rifle's unique features, its competition with other designs like the EM-1 and EM-2, and the reasons for its eventual failure in trials, including reliability issues and design complexity.

This video announces the book "Thorneycroft to SA80: British Bullpup Firearms 1901-2020" by Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the British Royal Armouries. It highlights the deep history of British bullpup designs, from early concepts to the SA80, featuring insights from firearms expert Ian McCollum and the author. The discussion emphasizes the recurring British interest in the bullpup configuration and its evolution over more than a century.

This video from Shot Show 2019 features Paul Levy of Brownells interviewing Ian and Karl from Forgotten Weapons and InRange TV. The discussion centers around "rate, experimental & unusual" firearms, suggesting a deep dive into unique, potentially prototype, or rare weaponry showcased at the event. Expect insights into historical firearms, advanced design concepts, and perhaps cutting-edge innovations in the firearms industry.

This guide details the specific technique for separating two MAS-36 rifles that have been inadvertently locked together by their bayonets. It outlines the historical context of this issue, the modification made to the bayonet to resolve it, and the step-by-step procedure for disengagement. The technique requires precise alignment and the use of a pointed tool to access the internal release mechanism, as demonstrated by firearms expert Ian McCollum.

This guide details the loading and firing procedure for the M134 Minigun, as explained by Ian McCollum. It covers manual indexing of the barrel cluster, feeding the ammunition belt, engaging controls, and firing. The guide also touches upon the weapon's spin-down inertia and the function of modern clutch systems. Expert instruction from a recognized firearms historian highlights the technical aspects of operating this powerful weapon system.

This guide details the operational features of the H&K G11 K2, a prototype assault rifle known for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt. It covers the selector settings, magazine capacity, integrated optics, and the internal action designed for recoil management during high-rate-of-fire bursts. Expert insights from Ian McCollum highlight the historical context and technical innovations of this advanced firearm.

This guide details the operation of the German L.Gr.W.36 50mm light mortar, as demonstrated by expert Ian McCollum. It covers assembly, leveling procedures, ammunition handling, and live fire execution, emphasizing the difficulty in visually tracking the projectile. The instruction highlights the importance of proper setup for accuracy.