First to the Fight: The Marines' Reising M50 SMG

This review delves into the Reising M55, a WWII submachine gun developed as a cheaper alternative to the Thompson. While it saw limited Marine service, reliability issues in harsh conditions led to its phasing out. The M55 features a unique under-forend charging handle, a folding paratrooper stock, and fires .45 ACP with 20-round magazines. The video also touches on model variations like the M50 and M60, and includes range testing.

The Reising M55 submachine gun, developed by Harrington & Richardson, was adopted by the US Marine Corps during WWII to supplement Thompson SMGs. While lighter and firing from a closed bolt for accuracy, it suffered from poor corrosion resistance, a dirt-sensitive delayed blowback system, and non-interchangeable parts. The M55 variant featured a folding stock for paratroopers and tank crews, differing from the M50's wooden stock.

This video showcases the classic Reising M50 machine gun, a firearm designed in the late 1930s and likely manufactured around 1940, making it over 80 years old. The description highlights its historical significance and recommends the book "The Many Firearm Designs of Eugene Raising" by David Albert for further information. An Amazon link to the book is provided.

The H&R MC58 is a specialized .22 LR semi-automatic trainer rifle developed for the USMC to replicate the handling characteristics of the M1 Garand and later the M14. Based on Eugene Reising's submachine gun design, it features a unique charging handle and safety placement to mimic its service rifle counterparts. Approximately 3,500 MC58s were produced, with many later sold as surplus.

This experimental Reising rifle in 7.62mm NATO, developed by Eugene Reising, attempted to adapt his submachine gun's action to a more powerful cartridge using a locked breech. It incorporated M14 components, likely from H&R simulators, but never entered production due to insufficient locking surface. The rifle showcases a unique tilting bolt and a simplified fire control group for semi and full-auto fire.

This video explores a rare Colt Model 1910 prototype, a scaled-down variant of the 1911 chambered in .38 ACP (9.8mm). Developed for international markets preferring smaller calibers, these prototypes were hand-built by Colt's tool room. Only five are known to exist, with this specific example finished in 1929 for Colt's museum.

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.