Interview with Nicole Wiley: German .22 Training Rifles

This comprehensive book review by Ian McCollum delves into 'Training Rifles of Third Reich Germany' by Robert Simpson. The book details the evolution of German .22 caliber training rifles, from the standardized DSM to the Kar98k-mimicking KKW, crucial for the 'Wehrsport' program. It highlights collector variations and the post-war presence of these rifles in the US.

This review covers the Mauser KK-Wehrsportgewehr (KKW), a .22 LR training rifle designed to replicate the feel of the Karabiner 98k. It features a single-shot bolt action and is demonstrated for loading, firing, and ejection. The rifle's historical significance and collector appeal are highlighted, along with its accuracy potential with iron sights.

This video details the unique 'French Finger Trap' issue with the MAS-36 rifle's bayonet, where two rifles can become unintentionally locked together. A 1951 French arsenal memorandum identified this problem, proposing a simple modification to the bayonet handle. Drilling a small hole allows a tool, like a firing pin, to depress the internal spring, enabling the separation of locked rifles.

The M134 Minigun is a scaled-down 7.62 NATO rotary cannon, requiring 24V DC power and consuming 1.5 kW. Its high rate of fire (3,000+ RPM) is essential for aircraft engagement windows. The complex delinker mechanism is critical for feeding ammunition, and practical hand-held use is impossible due to weight and recoil. Live fire demonstrates rapid ammunition consumption and the need for indirect aiming.

The H&K G11 is a revolutionary prototype assault rifle designed in the late 20th century, notable for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt mechanism. Despite advanced features like a 2000 RPM burst fire rate and integrated optics, its development was ultimately halted by geopolitical shifts and cost concerns.

This video demonstrates the assembly and live-fire of the German 1936 pattern light mortar (L.Gr.W.36). It highlights the mortar's leveling mechanism for accuracy and the difficulty in visually tracking its 50mm projectiles after firing. The content showcases historical military hardware and its operational use.