Aly & Kaufman AKB-23: Better Than the SA80 / L85

The AKB-23 is a new bullpup lower receiver designed for AR-15 based bufferless uppers, aiming to replicate the SA80/L85 form factor. It's constructed from billet aluminum, priced around $800, and compatible with uppers like the Brownells BRN-180, PSA Jackl, and FM-15. Testing indicates good reliability, with production underway.

The Aly & Kaufman AKB-23 is a bullpup conversion kit for the Brownells BRN-180, designed to emulate the British L85/SA80. It features a milled aluminum lower with an AR-15 fire control group, connected via a trigger transfer bar. The 3D-printed furniture mimics the L85's ergonomics, and range testing confirms it captures the rifle's feel and accepts SA80 magazines.

This video from the VSO Gun Channel focuses on the Brownells BRN-180, presented as a modern interpretation of the AR-180. The content emphasizes its application as a dedicated night rifle, highlighting its gas piston operating system as a key differentiator from the AR-15 platform. The description also points viewers to various resources including an email list, affiliate discounts, and the "Armed and Nerded" podcast, while clarifying VSO's role as an educational and testing entity separate from firearm sales.

This video showcases the new KE Arms KP-15 ambidextrous lower receiver paired with the 16" BRN-180 Gen 2 Upper Receiver from Brownells. The KP-15 features an enhanced ambidextrous selector and magazine release, along with a crisp trigger. The BRN-180 upper utilizes a piston system and an adjustable gas block, making it suitable for suppressed shooting. The firearm is destined for the 2021 Coast to Coast tour for hands-on experience and will be auctioned to support the Special Operations Care Fund (SOC-F).

This video introduces the new Brownells BRN-180S™ upper receiver, a short-barreled variant of the acclaimed BRN-180™. Featuring a 10.5" barrel, it's designed for AR pistol or SBR builds. A key feature is its adjustable gas system, allowing for easy switching between suppressed ('S') and unsuppressed ('U') operation, developed in collaboration with Primary Weapon Systems (PWS) and FM Products. The video also includes a brief overview and disassembly of the AR-180 operating system.

This video features a practical accuracy test of the BRN-180 (Gen2) in an SBR configuration, pushing its capabilities to 500 yards on a windy day. The review highlights the collaboration between Brownells and Primary Weapons to modernize the AR-180 platform. It also encourages viewers to support the channel through various platforms and mentions a discount code for Slate Black Industries.

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.