Pedersen Selfloading Rifle

This review details the T3E2 Garand, a .276 caliber prototype that nearly became the standard US service rifle in 1932. It highlights key differences from the M1 Garand, including a lighter weight, 10-round capacity, and a muzzle gas trap system. The review explains how logistical concerns regarding existing .30-06 ammunition stockpiles, championed by General MacArthur, ultimately prevented its adoption.

This video focuses on the rare Pedersen Model GY and GX rifles, essentially modified M1 Garand copies developed by John Pedersen. Following his failure in earlier Army rifle trials, Pedersen created these rifles as a final bid for a US military contract. The video highlights their functional similarities to the Garand, including its gas system and rotating bolt, while also pointing out Pedersen's unique modifications such as spiral barrel fluting, stock cooling slots, and an adjustable rear sight drum. The scarcity of these rifles, with fewer than 10 ever produced, is emphasized, along with the excellent condition of the featured example at Rock Island Auction, still packed in cosmoline.

This review of the rare Pedersen Model PB rifle, a competitor to the M1 Garand, highlights its unique delayed blowback toggle action. Accuracy tests with antique .276 Pedersen ammunition yielded 3-4 inch groups at 50-60 yards, considered impressive. While controllable and smooth, concerns about field reliability due to its complex action were noted, alongside a discussion of its 'funky' but pleasant recoil.

The Mauser C98 was an experimental flapper-locking, short-recoil semi-automatic rifle developed by Paul Mauser. Despite its innovative design, a similar mechanism caused a severe accident for Mauser himself. This prototype, serial number 3, showcases unique features like a spring-loaded bolt handle button and a three-position safety. It's chambered in 6mm (6x57) and represents a rare glimpse into early military semi-automatic rifle development.

This review details the ZK-391, a rare Czech semi-automatic rifle prototype developed by Josef Koucký. It highlights the rifle's unique trigger-actuated bolt release, manual hammer recocking feature, and its participation in Italian trials in 1943, evidenced by Italian safety markings. The design shares significant mechanical similarities with the M1 Garand, particularly in its long-stroke gas piston and rotating bolt.

This video explores the Vickers factory Pedersen PA Carbine, a less common variant of the Pedersen rifle. The description highlights that the carbine shares the same mechanism as the rifle but features a shorter barrel and a modified stock. It suggests these carbines were intended for cavalry or sportsmen seeking a more compact and manageable firearm, noting its resemblance to a sporterized rifle, though it is an original factory configuration. The video also references previous content on other Pedersen long gun variants.

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.