Taiwan's Retro Gas Piston AR: the Type 65

This guide details the field stripping process for the rare Armalite AR-16, as demonstrated by Ian McCollum on Forgotten Weapons. It covers the disassembly of the bolt, recoil springs, and gas piston, highlighting the rifle's unique internal mechanisms. The AR-16 is presented as an important transitional design between the AR-10 and AR-18.

This video delves into the intricate design challenges of firearm magazines, highlighting the complex interplay of geometry, spring pressure, and material science required for reliable cartridge presentation. Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons explains the paradox of users expecting extreme reliability from a component that is mass-produced at a very low cost, often around $10 for an AR-15 magazine. The discussion emphasizes that despite their low price, magazines are critical, multi-part mechanical devices where failure can have serious consequences.

This expert guide from School of the American Rifle details how to identify and replace a malformed weld spring in an AR-15's delta ring assembly. A misaligned weld spring can cause gas tube issues, leading to potential component damage. The video provides a clear visual comparison and step-by-step instructions for replacement, emphasizing proper alignment for optimal function.

This guide addresses a common failure point for AR-15 charging handles, where the component can shear off at the gas key interface. The video highlights a user's experience of a charging handle breaking on its first day at the range, suggesting either a defective part or an issue with an older firearm. The expert emphasizes that a broken charging handle requires immediate replacement.

This guide addresses a critical quality control issue identified by Shortshot Tony on a new Daniel Defense Mk18 upper receiver: a loose barrel nut. The video demonstrates how a hand-tight barrel nut leads to significant rail wobble. It highlights the importance of proper torque for AR-15 assembly and compares this failure to lower-tier brands, emphasizing the need for robust quality control even on premium components.

This guide details the process of lapping an AR-15 receiver to ensure proper barrel alignment for improved long-range accuracy. Instructor Stephen Caleb from Brownells explains that receiver faces can be slightly out of alignment, leading to barrel runout. The process involves using a specialized lapping fixture and aluminum oxide lapping compound with a drill to create a perfectly flat receiver face. This ensures the barrel seats flush and square, critical for precision shooting beyond 500 yards.

This guide details the specific technique for separating two MAS-36 rifles that have been inadvertently locked together by their bayonets. It outlines the historical context of this issue, the modification made to the bayonet to resolve it, and the step-by-step procedure for disengagement. The technique requires precise alignment and the use of a pointed tool to access the internal release mechanism, as demonstrated by firearms expert Ian McCollum.

This guide details the loading and firing procedure for the M134 Minigun, as explained by Ian McCollum. It covers manual indexing of the barrel cluster, feeding the ammunition belt, engaging controls, and firing. The guide also touches upon the weapon's spin-down inertia and the function of modern clutch systems. Expert instruction from a recognized firearms historian highlights the technical aspects of operating this powerful weapon system.

This guide details the operational features of the H&K G11 K2, a prototype assault rifle known for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt. It covers the selector settings, magazine capacity, integrated optics, and the internal action designed for recoil management during high-rate-of-fire bursts. Expert insights from Ian McCollum highlight the historical context and technical innovations of this advanced firearm.

This guide details the operation of the German L.Gr.W.36 50mm light mortar, as demonstrated by expert Ian McCollum. It covers assembly, leveling procedures, ammunition handling, and live fire execution, emphasizing the difficulty in visually tracking the projectile. The instruction highlights the importance of proper setup for accuracy.