Howard's Thunderbolt: A Remarkably Compact Carbine

The Beretta Model 57 is a rare select-fire carbine chambered in .30 Carbine, developed in the late 1950s specifically for Morocco. It features a unique dual trigger system for semi-automatic and full-automatic fire, a gas tappet operation, and a tilting bolt mechanism. The rifle's 30-round magazines are noted for their superior construction compared to standard M1 Carbine magazines.

The Beretta M1918 is a rare Italian semiautomatic carbine from WWI, often mistaken for a submachine gun. It evolved from the Villar Perosa, utilizing a 'parts bin' approach with Carcano and Vetterli components for economical production. This open-bolt, delayed blowback carbine features a unique top-mounted 25-round magazine and offset sights, chambered in 9mm Glisenti loaded to 9mm Parabellum specs.

This video reviews ten of the fastest-selling firearms in the US as of 2025, covering a diverse range from PCCs and hunting rifles to shotguns and concealed carry pistols. It highlights key features, calibers, and design elements of each model, providing insights into why these firearms are popular with consumers. The expert commentary offers a detailed look at the technical specifications and market appeal of each featured weapon.

This video showcases a unique Mare's Leg chambered in the powerful .45-70 caliber, deviating from typical .357 Magnum, .45 Colt, or .44 Magnum offerings. The presenter, demonstrating confident firearm handling, conducts a live-fire demonstration on steel targets and a container of cottage cheese, highlighting the significant recoil and energetic impact of the .45-70 round. The demonstration emphasizes the platform's capability with this substantial caliber.

This entry details the preproduction wz.89 Onyx, a Polish 5.45x39mm carbine developed from the wz.88 Tantal. It highlights the Onyx's design for specialized troops, its unique features like a dog-leg safety and 3-round burst, and its limited production run. The guide provides a step-by-step process for field stripping the firearm, emphasizing safety.

This review details the unique Mexican contract Pieper Revolving Carbine, a gas-seal model chambered in 8mm proprietary. Key features include a 9-round capacity, a right-swinging cylinder, and distinctive forestock carvings. The example discussed is unshootable due to a botched re-chambering attempt, highlighting a potential pitfall for collectors.

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.