Boys Mk I Anti-Tank Rifle at the Range

The Boys Anti-Tank Rifle, a .55 caliber bolt-action rifle, was developed by the British between the World Wars. Initially intended to counter early tanks, its effectiveness diminished as armor improved. The rifle's role shifted to anti-materiel, and it was famously used by US Marines, including during the Makin Raid. Soldier confidence was boosted by propaganda films, and many civilian-owned examples are now re-chambered in .50 BMG.

The Solothurn S18-1000 is a self-loading anti-tank rifle chambered in 20x138mm, featuring an 8-round magazine. Its unique charging mechanism involves a three-turn ratchet crank. The video demonstrates its operation and live fire, highlighting the significant recoil and cycling action in slow motion.

This video delves into the history and features of the Inglis Boys Mk I* Anti-Tank Rifle. Despite being largely obsolete upon its 1937 introduction, the rifle saw service with British and American forces in WWII, particularly against thinner-armored Japanese tanks in the Pacific. The description highlights its massive size (35 lbs, 5'2"), its .55 Boys caliber with a steel-core bullet capable of piercing .91" of armor, a 5-round detachable magazine, muzzle brake, and bipod. It also touches upon post-war imports and conversions to .50 BMG. The video references a range test by Forgotten Weapons.

This review details the improvements made to the Boys Anti-Tank Rifle between the Mk I and Mk I* variants. Key upgrades include a simplified and more effective muzzle brake, a streamlined rear sight, and a more stable bipod design, all aimed at reducing manufacturing costs and improving usability. The video also touches on historical context, effectiveness against early tanks, and production markings related to Lend-Lease.

The Lahti L-39 20mm anti-tank rifle, nicknamed 'Miss Lottie,' is a historical firearm chambered in 20x138mmB, boasting immense power with over 35,000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, nearly triple that of a .50 BMG. This semi-automatic rifle features a unique top-loading 10-round magazine, a robust charging crank system, and a massive muzzle brake. Its design includes sleds for snow transport that double as a bipod, significantly improving stability and reducing recoil during firing.

This video provides an in-depth look at the Solothurn S-18/1000 20mm Anti-Tank Rifle, a formidable World War II-era weapon. Host Scott demonstrates its immense size, comparing it to a .50 BMG Barrett M82A1, and details its unique manual loading mechanism. Live-fire tests showcase the rifle's power against various targets, highlighting its significant recoil and the effectiveness of its recoil mitigation features. The review emphasizes the historical significance and engineering of this massive anti-materiel rifle.

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.