Rocket Surgery: Inside the Russian Nikonov AN94

This AN-94 teardown by Forgotten Weapons details the rifle's unique internal receiver unit and its complex barrel return mechanism. Ian McCollum explains how the receiver's movement interacts with the sear to enable its distinctive firing modes, including a high-RPM two-round burst. The video highlights the intricate design of the gas system and the barrel return spring.

Brownells Gun Tech's Caleb Savant provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to upgrading a basic Interarms AK-74 with Midwest Industries' AK Alpha Series components. The video covers the installation of the AK Alpha Picatinny Stock Adapter, Gen2 Handguard, Optic Mount, Railed Top Cover, and the Alpha Stock. It highlights the tools required, emphasizing safety precautions and the process of field stripping the rifle, modifying the rear trunnion for the stock adapter, and ensuring a tight fit for the handguard and top cover. The upgrade aims to enhance the AK platform's comfort, control, and versatility.

This video spotlights the "Slap Mod" from Foxtrot Mike, an innovative solution that brings an MP5-style bolt-locking charging handle to AR-15 platforms, particularly those utilizing AK magazines. The "Slap Mod" allows users to lock the bolt back with a simple, familiar "HK slap" action and release it just as easily. The video highlights its reliability, even after extensive "production testing" at a firearms event, and its ambidextrous design. It also announces the availability of the Slap Mod on new Gen2 Foxtrot Mike uppers and an upcoming upgrade kit for existing owners. The discussion touches on the engineering challenges and potential for future calibers like 7.62x39, addressing common failure points in AR-15 conversions.

This video showcases a highly modified 5.45x39mm AK rifle, demonstrating exceptional recoil control through advanced gunsmithing and accessory integration. The build features premium components like Vortex optics and Zenitco furniture, highlighting effective rapid fire and full-auto capabilities with tight groupings on target. It serves as a practical example of optimizing an AK platform for reduced recoil and enhanced performance.

This video showcases a custom AK-74 build inspired by Escape From Tarkov, featuring Zenitco furniture and an EOTech Vudu LPVO. The demonstration highlights the rifle's exceptionally flat shooting characteristics and minimal recoil during rapid fire sequences, even at medium ranges. Key components include the Zenitco Sport-4 handguard and DTK muzzle brake, contributing to its performance.

The AK platform is exceptionally robust and forgiving, often requiring less cleaning than commonly believed. High-volume shooting experience suggests cleaning is unnecessary until 3,000-5,000 rounds, with the exception of corrosive ammunition. Over-cleaning, especially with steel rods, can cause more damage than fouling. Corrosive ammo requires immediate flushing with warm water to neutralize salts.

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.