Armalite AR-17: A Shotgun from the World of Tomorrow!

The Armalite AR-17 is a rare 12-gauge shotgun distinguished by its exceptionally light, aluminum construction, weighing under 5.5 pounds. It features a two-round capacity and a bolt design derived from the AR-10/AR-15, utilizing a short recoil action and a unique aluminum barrel with a steel trunnion. This design aimed to create one of the lightest shotguns available.

The Winchester Model 59 is a lightweight semi-automatic shotgun notable for its innovative Win-Lite barrel, constructed from fiberglass wrapped around a thin steel liner. This design, based on the Model 50's short recoil system but enhanced with a floating chamber, significantly reduces weight. Disassembly is straightforward, involving unscrewing the forend and rotating the barrel, allowing for easy access to the interchangeable choke.

This review delves into Beretta's experimental Model 1931 and 1937 semiautomatic rifles, designed by Tulio Marengoni. The Model 1931 features a short recoil action, rotating bolt, and uses 6.5mm Carcano en bloc clips, while the Model 1937 was updated for 7.35mm Carcano with a top-loading internal magazine and a manual override. Both showcase innovative engineering for their time, with detailed analysis of their mechanisms and historical context.

The Armaguerra Model 1939 was a rare Italian semi-automatic rifle adopted but canceled due to WWII production issues. It featured a unique short recoil action with a tipping block, similar to the Walther P38, and a novel charging system using the front sling swivel. Despite initial orders, only about 100 were produced in 6.5mm Carcano caliber, making it a historically significant but practically limited firearm.

This video examines the Bjorgum 1905 Norwegian Prototype Pistol, a unique design by Niels Bjorgum. The pistol is chambered in 7.63mm Mauser, features a 16-round clip-fed magazine in the grip, interrupted thread locking, and a rotating barrel short recoil action. The presenter notes its surprisingly light weight and discusses its problematic performance during informal testing, highlighting four malfunctions in 16 rounds. The video touches on Bjorgum's career as a gun designer for the Norwegian military, his later work on a self-loading rifle, and his eventual return to painting. It's a detailed look at a lesser-known historical firearm prototype.

This video provides a direct comparison between the Luger P08 and the Lahti L-35 (Swedish m/40), highlighting their distinct mechanical actions and performance during live fire. The Luger's iconic toggle-lock system is contrasted with the Lahti's more conventional short recoil operation. Both 9mm pistols are evaluated for recoil impulse, cycling speed, and accuracy on steel targets, showcasing their historical significance and handling characteristics.

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.