Sterling's *UPGRADED* take on the AR18, with firearms and weapon expert Jonathan Ferguson

This video features firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson examining a rare and 'cursed' bullpup mock-up of the Armalite AR-18. The prototype is characterized by its unconventional design, including a lack of trigger linkage, mismatched receiver parts, crude welds, and an unusual front sight arrangement, making it more suited for a video game than actual combat. The discussion also briefly touches upon the SA80 as a point of comparison for bullpup designs.

The SR-88A represents Singapore's evolution of the AR-18 design, featuring a milled aluminum lower receiver and a long-stroke gas piston system. It utilizes AR-pattern magazines and has a proprietary optics rail. While not produced in massive numbers, it saw service in Singapore and Slovenia.

The Armalite AR-16 is a rare prototype chambered in 7.62 NATO, bridging the gap between the AR-10 and AR-18. It features a short-stroke gas piston, dual recoil springs, and a unique 5-aperture rotating rear sight. Only two AR-16s are known to exist, making it a significant piece of Armalite's design history.

The Armalite AR-16 represents a crucial, yet often overlooked, step in rifle development, bridging the gap between the AR-10 and the AR-18. It pioneered the use of stamped sheet metal receivers and a short-stroke gas piston system to reduce manufacturing costs. Though never mass-produced, its design innovations significantly influenced subsequent combat rifle designs like the L85, Steyr AUG, and G36.

The Sterling LAR, a British attempt to adapt the ArmaLite AR-18, is analyzed for its design choices driven by patent avoidance. Key features include a unique folding stock and an adjustable gas system, but its complex trigger mechanism and internal friction led to commercial failure. Despite its flaws, the LAR represents an interesting case study in firearm development and licensing.

The ArmaLite AR-180, despite its 'janky' stamped steel construction and simple iron sights, demonstrated surprising practical accuracy, achieving around 2 MOA at 500 yards. Eugene Stoner designed it as an affordable alternative to the AR-15, utilizing a robust short-stroke piston system that became the foundation for modern designs like the G36 and SA80. The rifle's historical association with the IRA and 'The Troubles' is noted, but the review focuses on its technical performance and legacy.

This video features Ian McCollum and Jonathan Ferguson in a 60-second challenge at the Royal Armouries to find three unique firearms: a Charlton Automatic Rifle, a Schwarzlose Model 1898 pistol, and an early SA80 prototype. They discuss unusual mechanical operations and limited historical impact, highlighting experimental designs like the Sterling 7.62mm prototype and the Mars .45 Automatic Pistol.

The Knight's Armament KS-1, designated L403A1 by the British Army, is a new AR-15 platform rifle adopted for specialized units like the Army Special Operations Brigade and Royal Marines. It features a 13.7-inch barrel, ambidextrous controls, and is equipped with a Vortex 1-10x LPVO and an Aimpoint ACRO P-2 for versatile engagement ranges. The rifle utilizes a KAC QDC/MCQ-PRT suppressor and is part of 'Project Hunter' to enhance interoperability with allied forces.

This video details the armor and weaponry of an 11th-century Norman knight, emphasizing the evolution of protective gear. It covers the padded undergarments, the mail hauberk constructed from thousands of iron rings, and the nasal helmet for head protection. The kite shield offered significant defense, while primary weapons included the lance and a one-handed sword.

This video explores a unique modernization attempt of the Martini-Henry rifle using Captain Harston's Patent Magazine. Jonathan Ferguson details the Mark IV rifle's features and the external magazine's mechanism, designed to convert the single-shot rifle into a five-round repeater. Despite its ingenuity, the system faced issues with reliability, high conversion costs, and was ultimately overshadowed by superior bolt-action designs like the Lee-Metford.