Finnish LS-26 at the Range

Published on December 18, 2021
Duration: 8:32

This entry details the Finnish LS-26 light machine gun, as demonstrated by Ian McCollum on Forgotten Weapons. It covers initial range testing, highlighting its pleasant shooting characteristics despite muzzle climb, and delves into the critical role of the magazine loading machine due to difficult-to-load 20-round magazines. The guide also addresses the LS-26's notorious reliability issues, attributing them to tight tolerances and field maintenance challenges, and concludes with an assessment of its accuracy and controllability versus its practical limitations.

Quick Summary

The Finnish LS-26 light machine gun, tested by Ian McCollum, is accurate and controllable but suffers from poor field reliability due to tight tolerances and difficulty with field maintenance. Its 20-round magazines are hard to load, requiring a special machine. Early models had a unique 360-degree rotating bipod.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the LS-26
  2. 00:48Initial Range Testing
  3. 03:22Magazine Loading Machine Demonstration
  4. 04:52Bipod Design Variations
  5. 05:36Reliability and Maintenance Issues
  6. 07:20Final Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main reliability issues with the Lahti-Saloranta LS-26?

The LS-26's poor field reliability stems from tight tolerances in its recoil assembly, which is not designed for easy field disassembly. Exposure to dirt and ice during cleaning in the field often causes malfunctions.

Why is a magazine loading machine necessary for the LS-26?

The 20-round magazines for the LS-26 have extremely heavy spring tension, making them very difficult to load by hand. The original loading machine is essential for efficiently loading these magazines.

What are the positive aspects of shooting the LS-26?

Despite its reliability issues, the LS-26 is noted for being accurate and controllable. Ian McCollum found it pleasant to shoot, though it does exhibit some muzzle climb during longer full-auto bursts.

What is unique about the LS-26's bipod design?

Early versions of the LS-26 featured a bipod that could rotate a full 360 degrees, offering a wide range of traverse. This feature was later corrected in production models.

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