Who is Chris Bartocci?

Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery, discusses his extensive research into the British military's adoption and use of the AR-15 platform, noting its adoption in 1965, the same year as the US Army. He also delves into the history of early self-rotating revolvers, specifically the Collier revolver, and its potential influence on Sam Colt's later patented designs, highlighting the complexities of historical innovation and patent protection.

This video from AT3 Tactical's "Old School Ordnance" series delves into the history of the Colt 602, a pivotal but often overlooked rifle in the AR-15's evolutionary path. Host Sam explores the Colt 602's design, its place within the AR-15 family tree, and the reasons it didn't become the primary rifle for the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, often compared to the M14 and M16. The episode touches on the U.S. Air Force's role and the rifle's "troubled start," concluding with its historical significance and relevance in today's retro AR market.

This video delves into the complex history and semantics surrounding the AR-15 platform, aiming to debunk common misconceptions. It clarifies terms like 'select fire,' 'Armalite,' and 'assault rifle,' explaining their origins and proper usage. The content emphasizes the taxonomic relationship between the AR-15 and the M16, tracing their lineage back to Armalite's original designs and highlighting how civilian semi-automatic variants are direct descendants of military select-fire models. The video also addresses specific 'fudd lore' such as the AR-15 being designed to wound or solely as a hunting rifle, providing historical context and technical explanations to counter these myths.

This YouTube video analyzes the firearms that have served as the primary weapon for American soldiers over the past century. It likely delves into the evolution of military-issued firearms, highlighting key models and their impact on warfare and soldier experience. Expect discussions on iconic rifles, pistols, and potentially other weapon systems that have equipped the US military.

Firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson debunks the popular myth that the idiom 'the whole nine yards' originates from the length of machine gun belts, particularly those used in aircraft. He presents evidence suggesting the phrase predates aviation machine guns and likely stems from a humorous anecdote in an 1855 Indiana newspaper about a shirt made with 'the whole nine yards' of material. While acknowledging the intuitive appeal of the firearms connection, Ferguson's research indicates no historical basis for it.

This video details how Sam Cummings, a collector and "gun nut," secured a significant contract for AR-10 rifles with Guatemala in late 1957. After demonstrating the prototype AR-10 (serial number 1001) across Central and South America, Guatemala placed an order for 450 units for their military school, the Escuela Politécnica. The delivery was scheduled for mid to late 1958.

This video offers a highly critical, historically grounded analysis of the M14 rifle's shortcomings, attributing its failure to flawed US Ordnance Corps decisions regarding cartridge standardization and weapon design. The speaker, an expert in small arms, details how political motivations and resistance to innovation led to the adoption of an inadequate weapon system, contrasting it with superior alternatives like the AR-10 and FN FAL. The analysis highlights the detrimental impact of these decisions on US military effectiveness, particularly in Vietnam.

This expert-level entry details the M16's troubled introduction in Vietnam, debunking myths of inherent design flaws. It highlights how political decisions, procurement issues, and ammunition choices, rather than the core design by Eugene Stoner, led to early reliability problems. The entry emphasizes the mechanical evolution from the AR-15 to the M16A1 and the critical role of chrome lining, proper maintenance, and correct ammunition in establishing the platform's eventual success.

This guide, drawing on the expertise of a former Colt employee and AR-15 SME Hank Tatro, details the critical role of AR-15/M16 buffers. It explains how buffer design evolved to manage bolt carrier bounce caused by increased firing rates and different ammunition types. The guide emphasizes selecting the correct buffer for specific firearm configurations and warns against improper mixing and matching, particularly for duty applications. It covers standard rifle and carbine buffers, as well as H, H2, H3, and specialized 9mm buffers, providing insights into their construction and application.

This comprehensive review by Chris Bartocci, a recognized expert with extensive military armory experience, debunks common myths surrounding the Beretta M9/92FS. Bartocci details the pistol's history, including its selection over the M1911, and addresses controversies like slide failures, attributing them to ammunition and high usage rather than design flaws. He highlights the evolution of critical components like the locking block and discusses magazine reliability issues, offering practical insights for owners and enthusiasts.