SA80 History: The First L85 Mockups (Sterling and Stoner)

This video humorously explores the SA80 bullpup rifle, showcasing its ergonomic limitations and presenting a custom 'un-bullpupped' variant dubbed 'The Jonathan Ferguson Special'. It highlights the standard SA80's right-handed-only design challenges and demonstrates the modified rifle's traditional configuration. The content emphasizes expert knowledge of firearm design and historical context.

Murdoch & Co is producing new SA80 (L85) rifles in the USA, including modernized L85A3 variants and collector series using original parts. The project aims to preserve the history of the rifle as the UK MOD destroys original stocks. Both fully new production and collector-grade rifles are available, catering to enthusiasts and historians.

This video features Jonathan Ferguson discussing British military firearms, specifically contrasting the AR-15 platform with historical flintlock revolvers. Ferguson, an author and firearms historian, delves into the evolution of firearms, referencing his books "Thorneycroft to SA80" and "Clockwork Basilisk: The Early Revolvers of Elisha Collier." The description also links to his articles on flintlock revolvers and provides resources for other firearms history channels and reference books, indicating a deep dive into historical firearms development and design.

This video announces a livestream event featuring Jonathan Ferguson from the Royal Armouries, discussing the L85A3 (SA80) in Battlefield. The event highlights a collaboration between the Royal Armouries and the Cody Firearms Museum, showcasing expert knowledge on firearms within a gaming context.

This Q&A session covers a diverse range of topics, with a significant focus on firearms. Discussions include gun design principles, specific firearm models and their adoption (SIG P320, Valmet, Galil), historical and future machine guns (FN Mag, PKM, MG42 family), and various cartridges (.338 Magnum, 7mm Backcountry, .30 Super Carry). The creator also touches upon gun handling for new owners, military movie gun accuracy, and personal interests like camo collections. Beyond firearms, the video delves into the creator's book-writing process, filming equipment, and potential collaborations.

This video from the Royal Armouries traces the evolution of British military firearms, specifically focusing on the transition from the Thorneycroft rifle to the SA80. The description highlights the museum's extensive collection of arms and armor, inviting viewers to explore behind-the-scenes content, combat demonstrations, and expert insights. It also encourages audience engagement through comments and provides links to their website and social media channels.

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.