French Trials FN CAL: Adding Rifle Grenade Capability

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.

This review of the FN CAL, presented by the Arm&Gun host, highlights its aesthetic appeal as a 'grail' gun developed by FN Herstal. Despite its beauty, the host critically labels it a 'beautiful dumpster fire' due to significant mechanical complexity and reliability issues, making it difficult for armorers to service. The review details its technical specifications, operational features, and compares it to its predecessors and successors, the FN FAL and FN FNC.

The FN CAL, FN's attempt to create a 5.56mm variant of the FAL, is a rare and complex firearm. Its intricate design and high production cost led to limited sales, with Thailand being a primary buyer. The rifle features a unique magazine release and proprietary magazines, and its lack of success paved the way for the more simplified FN FNC. Disassembly requires caution due to its complexity and potential for damage to early polymer parts.

Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries, provides an expert overview of the Daewoo K2, South Korea's standard service rifle. The K2 is a hybrid design incorporating features from the M16 and AK-47 series, notably its long-stroke gas piston system and a solid folding stock. The review details its adjustable gas regulator, iron sights, proprietary optic rail, and a non-resetting 3-round burst mechanism, highlighting its unique engineering and service history.

This Albanian ASh-78 variant from 1982 showcases unique modifications for rifle grenade launching, including a relocated rear sight on a stabilized top cover and a gas cut-off mechanism. Based on the Chinese Type 56, it features a threaded spigot with a novel spring clip for grenade retention. The full-length barrel under the spigot suggests improved ballistics for standard ammunition.

This video focuses on a unique variant of the AK platform, specifically Albania's ASH-78, which is notable for its integrated rifle grenade launching capability. The title and description highlight its unusual nature and rarity, suggesting a deep dive into this less common Kalashnikov variant. The content likely explores its design, functionality, and historical context within Albanian military history.

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.