Is the Stoner 63 Really So Good? Shooting the Mk23, Bren, and 63A Carbine

The Stoner 63 system, designed by Eugene Stoner, was a highly modular firearm capable of multiple configurations including rifle, carbine, and various machine guns. Initially developed as the Stoner 62 in 7.62 NATO, it was scaled down to 5.56mm as the Stoner 63. Despite its innovative design and light weight, particularly favored by the US Navy SEALs as the Mk23, it suffered from reliability issues and high maintenance requirements in demanding environments like Vietnam.

The Knight's Armament Light Assault Machine Gun (LAMG) offers a lightweight, controllable belt-fed solution, serving as a spiritual successor to the Stoner 63. Its innovative constant recoil system significantly reduces felt recoil and allows for a more manageable rate of fire, even in the heavier 7.62mm variant. The modular design, including an optional buttstock and quick-change barrel with integral suppression, enhances its versatility for various operational roles.

The M96 Expeditionary Rifle by Robinson Armament is a modular semi-automatic firearm inspired by the Stoner 63/63A. This review highlights its unique features, including a stamped stainless steel receiver, AR-15 magazine compatibility, and an adjustable gas system. The video demonstrates its 'Bren' configuration, showcasing its adaptability and distinct manual of arms, while also delving into its internal mechanics and historical context.

The Stoner 63 is a highly modular firearm designed by Eugene Stoner, capable of functioning as both an assault rifle and a light machine gun. Its unique design allows for conversion between bottom-fed, closed-bolt rifle and top-fed, open-bolt machine gun configurations by flipping the receiver and repositioning the grip. Approximately 3,300 units were manufactured by Cadillac Gage, with the Navy SEALs notably adopting it as the Mark 22.

Project Lantan was a rare 1970s Polish initiative to create a modular small arms system inspired by the Stoner 63, utilizing a universal receiver and a proprietary 7x41mm cartridge. Despite heavy AK mechanics, it featured a quick-change barrel and separable receivers. The project was cancelled due to Warsaw Pact standardization on the 5.45x39mm AK-74.

The Robinson Arms M96, a civilian variant inspired by the Stoner 63, offers a unique modular system with a distinctive top-mounted magazine configuration, reminiscent of the Bren Gun. While its historical significance and modularity are praised, the M96 presents ergonomic challenges, particularly with its offset sights, making it a fascinating but expensive collector's item rather than a practical modern firearm.

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.