American Rifleman Television - Melvin Forbes And His Rifles

Published on November 2, 2015
Duration: 9:51

This video provides an in-depth look at the production philosophy and techniques employed by New Ultra Light Arms, founded by Melvin Forbes. Forbes, considered a pioneer in lightweight rifle design, emphasizes meticulous control over the manufacturing process to achieve extreme weight reduction while maintaining accuracy and balance. The content details the unique construction of their tubular actions, the importance of stock design and weight distribution, and the overall commitment to consistency and precision in every component.

Quick Summary

Melvin Forbes, founder of New Ultra Light Arms, is recognized as the father of the lightweight rifle. His designs prioritize extreme portability, balance, and accuracy by meticulously controlling manufacturing processes, particularly through unique tubular action construction and carefully managed stock weight distribution.

Chapters

  1. 00:15Introduction to Melvin Forbes and New Ultra Light Arms
  2. 00:32The Origin Story of the Lightweight Rifle
  3. 01:50Melvin Forbes on Rifle Design Philosophy
  4. 02:27American Rifleman Cover and Company Legitimacy
  5. 03:20Unique Rifle Design: Weight Reduction Focus
  6. 03:53Model 20 Action and Action Sizes
  7. 04:45Understanding Pressure (PSI) in Rifle Actions
  8. 05:09Rethinking Firearm Production: Clean Sheet Approach
  9. 05:38Tubular Action Construction and Centerline Control
  10. 06:37The Biggest Issue: Stock Weight
  11. 07:01Stock Production: Painting and Final Details
  12. 08:00Stock Weight Breakdown (Pre-Paint and Recoil Pad)
  13. 08:36Balancing the Rifle: North End vs. South End
  14. 08:57Barreled Action Bedding and Stability
  15. 09:37Consistency and Quality Control

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Melvin Forbes and what is his contribution to rifle design?

Melvin Forbes is widely considered the father of the lightweight rifle. He founded New Ultra Light Arms and pioneered designs focused on extreme portability, balance, and eliminating 'bad habits' that could affect a rifle's instinctive pointability in the field.

What is the core philosophy behind New Ultra Light Arms rifle production?

The core philosophy is to shed as much weight as possible while maintaining utility, accuracy, and balance. This is achieved through meticulous control over every component, particularly the unique tubular action construction and carefully managed stock weight distribution.

How does New Ultra Light Arms achieve the extreme lightweight nature of their rifles?

They achieve this through a unique tubular action construction that allows for precise centerline control and weight reduction. Additionally, their stocks are significantly lighter than conventional designs, with a substantial portion of the weight dedicated to the recoil pad, requiring careful barrel balancing.

What are the key manufacturing techniques used for New Ultra Light Arms actions?

The actions are constructed using a tubular style, where a hole is drilled and reamed, then OD turned on a mandrel. This process ensures precise control over the centerline, consistent mass distribution, and enables square cuts for critical locking surfaces.

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