FAMAS G1: Simplified for Export

This review of the FAMAS F1 highlights its iconic status as France's service rifle, featuring a unique lever-delayed blowback bullpup design. While accurate and soft-shooting with good long-range performance due to its 19.2-inch barrel, it suffers from a heavy, mushy trigger, significant gas blowback to the face, and proprietary magazines. Its compact bullpup ergonomics are beneficial for transitions, but the design has notable drawbacks compared to modern platforms.

The FAMAS Valorisé represents a significant modernization of the French FAMAS F1 bullpup rifle, primarily featuring a lowered optics rail for the FÉLIN system and improved ergonomics. Key changes include a redesigned side-mounted charging handle to accommodate the new top rail and the addition of accessory rails on the handguard. The receiver is marked with a 'V' to denote its 'Valorisé' (Improved) status.

The FAMAS G1 is a simplified export variant of the French FAMAS rifle, featuring a redesigned polymer lower receiver integrating the pistol grip and trigger guard. Production was streamlined by removing features like grenade rings, grenade sights, and slide-up night sights. These changes aimed to reduce manufacturing complexity and cost for international markets.

This review delves into rare FAMAS Commando prototypes, showcasing their significantly shorter 11.25-inch barrels compared to the standard FAMAS G2. Prototypes explored experimental handguard designs, including a hand stop and an integrated vertical grip, alongside distinct sighting systems. Mechanical adjustments, such as a lightened bolt carrier, were necessary to ensure reliable cycling with the reduced barrel length.

The H&K 33F, a predecessor to the HK416F, was marketed to French forces in the 1960s-70s. Despite performing well in 1974 trials against the FN CAL and M16, France opted for the domestic FAMAS. This variant features a reinforced magazine well and specific barrel modifications for rifle grenade use, including range rings and a grenade sight mount.

The FAMAS G2 represents the final iteration of the French FAMAS bullpup rifle, specifically developed for the French Navy to meet NATO standards. Key upgrades include a 1:7 twist rate for SS109 ammunition and a push-button magazine release compatible with NATO STANAG magazines. Despite its advanced features and historical significance, the G2 is a rare firearm with limited production.

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.