Ohio Ordnance HCAR: The BAR of the Future

The Colt Monitor, officially the R80, was a 1931 development of the BAR tailored for law enforcement. Modifications included removing military features, shortening the barrel to 18 inches, and adding a pistol grip and Cutt's Compensator for recoil management with the .30-06 cartridge. Its high cost limited adoption, with the FBI acquiring around 90 units.

The HCAR is a modernized Heavy Counter Assault Rifle based on the classic BAR, chambered in .30-06 Springfield. It features significant upgrades like an adjustable gas system, linear recoil path with an M240 buffer for reduced recoil, and improved ergonomics with ambidextrous controls and a folding charging handle. Compatibility with proprietary 20/30-round magazines requires specific pouches, with Spiritus Systems HK417 pouches recommended.

The US Army opted for the M1 Garand over a semi-automatic BAR due to weight and magazine requirements. The BAR, weighing 16 lbs, exceeded the 9.5 lb target for a new service rifle. Additionally, the military desired a clip-fed system, while the BAR used detachable box magazines. Captain Green's 1919 proposal for a semi-auto BAR was rejected by the Infantry and Cavalry Board, which favored a clip-fed, self-loading rifle.

This review delves into the iconic M1918 BAR, highlighting its historical significance from WWI to modern conflicts. It details a specific Winchester 1918 model with British and Korean War modifications. The video contrasts the BAR's design with the Bren gun, discusses its manual of arms, and explores its enduring pop culture presence, concluding with a look at the modernized HCAR.

This video discusses the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) and its near miss at becoming a practical select-fire infantry rifle at the end of World War I. Despite modifications and updates into World War II, the opportunity for this capability was seemingly missed by engineers. The video also highlights that Ohio Ordnance still produces faithful reproductions of this classic American rifle, and mentions the availability of discounts for Challenge Targets and OpticsPlanet.

This video delves into the history and design of the Lewis "Assault Phase" rifle, a unique firearm conceived by Colonel Isaac Lewis. The description highlights its innovative features such as a detachable magazine, angled grip, combat sights, left-hand charging lever, piston operation, and a lighter weight than its contemporaries, including the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Despite its forward-thinking design, the rifle's late entry into the adoption process led to its historical relegation. The video acknowledges the rifle's prototypes are held in collections worldwide and thanks sponsors Proxibid, Ventura Munitions, and Hoppe's No. 9 Gun Bore Cleaner.

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.