Johnson M1941 Rifle

This expert review by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons details the rare Terni Model 1921, an Italian interwar prototype assault rifle. It highlights the rifle's select-fire capability, unique 25-round cube magazine inspired by the Fiat-Revelli M1914, and its 7.35x32mm intermediate cartridge. The analysis covers its short-recoil operation, locking mechanism, and historical context, noting its advanced design for its era.

This video provides an in-depth look at the Johnson M1941 Rifle, presented by Administrative Results. It highlights the rifle's design as an alternative to the M1 Garand, its unique 10-round rotary magazine capable of being topped off, and its short-recoil operation. The review includes historical context, a comparison to the M1 Garand, and a shooting performance test, showcasing the rifle's distinct features and combat legacy.

The Walther P38K is a rare 1970s pistol, distinct from historical P38 variants. It combines the P1's aluminum frame with a shortened P4 slide, featuring a 2.8-inch barrel and standard 8-round P38 magazines. Most were chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, with a limited production of approximately 200 in 7.65mm Parabellum.

The M1941 Johnson rifle, developed by Melvin Johnson, was intended as a 'substitute standard' alongside the M1 Garand. It features a unique 10-round rotary magazine, allowing for continuous topping off, and an 8-lug rotating bolt that inspired the AR-15 design. While innovative, its enclosed receiver made malfunction clearing difficult, a drawback in harsh combat conditions.

The M1E5 was an experimental paratrooper variant of the M1 Garand, developed by Springfield Armory in 1944. It featured an 18-inch barrel, a folding stock, and was chambered in .30-06 Springfield. Despite its compact design, testing revealed excessive muzzle flash, blast, and recoil, leading to its cancellation in favor of other projects.

The Springfield T20 project aimed to modernize the M1 Garand into a select-fire, magazine-fed rifle capable of mounting a scope and launching grenades. Early prototypes faced challenges with BAR magazine compatibility and full-auto control. Evolutions like the T20E1 and T20E2 introduced closed-bolt operation, roller bearings, and specialized muzzle devices, directly influencing the M14's development before the project was ultimately canceled post-WWII.

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.