Throwback Thursday: Dolf Goldsmith Reminisces About Destructive Devices

This video demonstrates the live fire of a Soviet 82mm mortar, showcasing its loading and firing mechanism. The footage highlights the round's impact and subsequent detonation, emphasizing the destructive power of this indirect fire support weapon. The operator's safe handling and the controlled environment suggest a high level of expertise.

This video features footage of an 81mm M29 Mortar being fired, with a focus on "TRUMP Rounds" available from DestructiveDevices.com. The title and description indicate a demonstration of this particular mortar system and its ammunition, with "Where's The Boom?" suggesting a question or anticipation around the explosive effect. The content is clearly centered on military hardware and ordnance.

This video debunks the myth that a golf ball launcher is a silencer. While it significantly alters the sound profile of a 9mm pistol, making it a 'deep thump' rather than a sharp crack, it does not suppress the noise effectively. Testing with both standard and subsonic ammunition reveals that the device functions as a hollow expansion chamber, primarily designed for launching golf balls using blanks.

This video features Ian from Forgotten Weapons and NFA specialist John Keene discussing how original US military machine guns become available on the civilian market. They differentiate between models that are commonly found in original condition, like the Reising, and those that are rare in original form, often appearing as parts kits built on new receivers, such as the Browning 1917 and 1919. The discussion aims to explain the factors driving these market availabilities.

This video clarifies the common misconception between 'suppressors' and 'silencers'. According to Johnny Q, an experienced firearm instructor, these terms are interchangeable and refer to the same device. 'Silencer' is an older term, while 'suppressor' is the more technically accurate and legally preferred term. Other colloquialisms like 'can' are also mentioned.

This video satirizes a common customer interaction at a firearms retailer, highlighting a misunderstanding of NFA regulations regarding tax stamps for suppressors. It emphasizes that tax stamps are a mandatory federal requirement and not subject to store promotions or deferrals. The skit serves as a humorous reminder of proper procedure and customer etiquette when purchasing NFA items.

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.