Praga I: A Blow-Forward Bullpup Semi-Auto-Selectable Vickers Gun

The Praga I was a unique Czech blow-forward, bullpup Vickers gun developed in 1922. It utilized an innovative gas-operated system where muzzle blast cycled the action via a forward-moving cup. Despite its experimental nature, it featured a pivoting locking block rather than a toggle lock and had a short service life.

This "I Have This Old Gun" segment from American Rifleman Television features a detailed examination of the Vickers Belt Fed Machine Gun. The video likely delves into the history, design, and operational aspects of this significant historical firearm, offering enthusiasts a look at a classic piece of military ordnance. Expect discussions on its development, use in conflict, and its place in firearms history.

Toggle action firearms, though rarely made today, are iconic in early self-loading designs like the Luger and Maxim gun. This mechanism uses a 'knee joint' linkage that locks straight when fired, preventing premature opening. It typically relies on short recoil to initiate unlocking, cycling the action for ejection and reloading. While offering a safe locked breech, toggle actions require precise machining and are susceptible to fouling, leading to their obsolescence by the 1930s.

This video features an interview with Dolf Goldsmith, a highly respected author and 60-year veteran in the machine gun collecting community. Conducted at the SAR West gun show, the discussion delves into the evolution of machine gun collecting, future trends in the hobby, and identifies what might be the best machine gun design of all time. Despite initial audio challenges, the content offers valuable insights from an expert with extensive knowledge of historical firearms and an understanding of current collector interests.

This video showcases a unique training modification for the RPG-7 launcher, allowing it to fire 7.62x39mm rounds. The insert features deep-cut rifling to reduce velocity, mimicking the trajectory of an actual rocket for cost-effective training. The demonstration covers loading, firing a dummy round, and ejecting the spent casing.

This video offers an immersive look into trench warfare in 1917 France, showcasing the harsh realities and weaponry of the era. It highlights the Lee-Enfield .303 rifle's rapid fire, the utility of trench clubs for close combat, and the operation of the Mills Bomb grenade. The segment also details the roles of Lewis and Vickers machine gun teams in simulated combat scenarios.

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.