I Have This Old Gun: German G41 (M) Rifle

Published on June 29, 2018
Duration: 6:00

This expert-level review delves into the rare Mauser G41(M) semi-automatic rifle, a complex and often unreliable firearm developed during WWII. The video highlights its unique gas trap system, the Wehrmacht's stringent design requirements, and its ultimate failure compared to the Walther G41(W) and later Gewehr 43. It's presented as a significant, albeit flawed, footnote in small arms history, particularly for collectors.

Quick Summary

The Mauser G41(M) rifle, a WWII German semi-automatic, suffered from a problematic Bang gas trap system prone to fouling from corrosive ammo and carbon. This complexity, driven by stringent military requirements, led to combat failures and made it a rare, often undesirable, collector's item compared to its Walther G41(W) counterpart.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Introduction to the G41(M) Rifle
  2. 00:20WWII German Rifle Standard: Kar98k
  3. 00:49Kar98k Shortcoming: Lack of Semi-Auto
  4. 01:05German Innovation vs. Quirks in Firearms
  5. 01:38Wehrmacht Design Requirements for Semi-Auto Rifles
  6. 02:02Walther and Mauser G41 Submissions
  7. 02:44G41(M) Complexity and Prejudices
  8. 03:05Bolt-Action Fallback Requirement
  9. 03:22G41(M) Gas System Flaws
  10. 03:52Walther's Win, Mauser's Failures
  11. 04:37Gewehr 43 Adoption and Differences
  12. 04:51G41 Fate and Rarity
  13. 05:07G41 Production Numbers
  14. 05:34G41 Rarity and Collectibility

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the primary issue with the Mauser G41(M) rifle's gas system?

The G41(M) utilized a Bang gas trap system that was highly susceptible to fouling from corrosive ammunition and carbon buildup. This caused the expansion chamber to gum up, leading to frequent combat failures and unreliability.

Why was the Mauser G41(M) considered a complex and bulky firearm?

Its complexity stemmed from the Wehrmacht's stringent design requirements, including a mandatory bolt-action fallback mechanism and a desire to avoid external moving parts. These factors, combined with its unique gas trap system, contributed to its bulky profile and intricate internal workings.

How rare is the Mauser G41(M) rifle today?

The Mauser G41(M) is considered a rare firearm for collectors. Only about 6,000 were produced, making it significantly less common than its Walther G41(W) counterpart and the later Gewehr 43 (G43).

What was the main shortcoming of the standard German WWII rifle, the Kar98k?

The primary shortcoming of the Kar98k carbine was that it was a bolt-action rifle and not semi-automatic. This put Nazi Germany about a decade behind other nations, like the United States, in adopting semi-automatic infantry rifles.

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from NRApubs

View all →