Sten MkIII: A Children's Toy Company Makes SMGs

The Sten MkII, developed by Harold Turpin, was a simplified and more compact submachine gun designed for paratroopers and resistance groups. Key innovations included a quick-removable barrel, a rotating magazine well for flat packing, and a simplified stock for ease of manufacture. Despite its basic appearance, the MkII was produced in vast numbers, with approximately 2.6 million units made, making it the most common Sten variant.

This review delves into the suppressed STEN Mk II S, a specialized WWII submachine gun developed by the SOE. It highlights the STEN's history of mass production, its various iterations, and the specific technical challenges and tactical advantages of the suppressed variant. The video also touches upon its post-war use and the German military's interest in captured units.

Alyssa Seymour provides an in-depth look at the B&T KH9S, a modern submachine gun drawing inspiration from iconic WWII and Cold War designs like the Sten and Sterling. The review highlights its unique side-feeding magazine, top-mounted charging handle, and tri-lug barrel for suppressor compatibility, emphasizing its heritage and modern features.

This video features a comparison between two iconic submachine guns: the Sten MkII and the Ingram M10/9. The content is presented with the assistance of John Keene, suggesting an expert perspective. The description highlights the comparison aspect and mentions the specific firearms, with hashtags indicating a focus on "forgotten weapons," SMGs, and the "Sten" and "MAC11" models.

This video compares a suppressed Thompson M1A1 prototype with the Sten Mk.IIS, detailing the Thompson's unique suppressor design and modifications. Despite comparable muzzle noise, the Thompson's significantly louder mechanical action and heavier, longer profile led to its abandonment in favor of the M3 Grease Gun in 1944 trials.

This video features firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson analyzing the Olympic Arms "PCR" (Politically Correct Rifle), a unique AR-15 variant designed to accept magazines from the British World War II era Sten submachine gun. The discussion covers the rationale behind this unusual design choice, the process of converting a 5.56mm AR-15 platform to 9mm for Sten magazines, the firearm's markings, internal mechanisms, and its historical context and relevance. The Royal Armouries museum is highlighted, encouraging viewers to subscribe and support their work.

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.