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

This video provides an in-depth look at the Sterling SAR-87 assault rifle, a late-stage prototype from Sterling Armaments. Expert Jonathan Ferguson details its design lineage, technical specifications, and disassembly process. The SAR-87 is presented as a derivative of the AR-18, featuring a long-stroke gas piston system, an ambidextrous safety selector, and a detachable trigger group, though it ultimately never saw production due to the company's closure.

This review of the Palmetto State Armory JAKL, presented by Administrative Results, focuses on its 'tactical hipster' appeal as a budget-friendly alternative to traditional AR-15 and AK platforms. The video details its 13.7-inch 5.56 NATO barrel, long-stroke gas piston system, and AR-18/ACR-inspired internals. While offering a unique aesthetic and decent accuracy at 100 yards, the review highlights potential reliability issues when run dirty and suppressed, suggesting careful attention to gas settings and magazines. The JAKL undergoes a sand torture test, demonstrating resilience with manual assistance, ultimately passing a 'vibe check' for those seeking a distinctive, affordable piston-driven rifle.

This review from Pew Pew Tactical provides an expert look at the Olympic Arms OA-93, the first consumer AR pistol released in 1993. The video highlights its unique top-mounted recoil system, 6.5-inch barrel, direct impingement operation, and side-charging handle, comparing its design to the AR-18. It also showcases accessories like a YHM flash hider and Vortex Venom red dot.

This video compares the AR-180 and the Sig Spear LT, highlighting their shared lineage from Eugene Stoner's designs. While both utilize a short-stroke gas piston system and rotating bolt, they differ significantly in construction materials and modern features. The AR-180, a civilian variant of the AR-18, features stamped sheet metal construction for cost-effectiveness, while the Spear LT uses machined aluminum for a more robust and modular platform. The comparison emphasizes the evolution of firearm design from the AR-180's foundational concepts to the Spear LT's contemporary ergonomics and accessory integration.

This video explores the lineage of the Masterpiece Arms MPAR, tracing its roots back to the Armalite AR-180, designed by Eugene Stoner. It then details the Australian LEO rifle, which was influenced by the AR-180, and finally the MPAR itself, a US-made clone of the LEO. The presenter performs field disassembly of all three firearms, highlighting their shared short-stroke gas piston systems and stamped receivers, while also pointing out key differences like bolt head design and charging handle placement.

This video provides an expert-level review of the rare Australian Leader T2 Mk5 rifle, a design influenced by the AR-18 and featuring unique stamped steel construction and a triangular bolt head. The host, recognized for his deep knowledge of firearms history and design, details its development as a cost-effective indigenous alternative to rifles like the M16 and Steyr AUG. The T2 Mk5 ultimately lost out to the AUG for Australian military adoption but remains a significant piece of firearms engineering history.

Ian McCollum and Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries present a challenge to find three unique firearms based on appearance, mechanical oddity, and historical impact. They showcase experimental and rare pieces like the Charlton Automatic Rifle, Sterling 7.62mm prototype, Schwarzlose Model 1898, Gabbett-Fairfax Mars pistol, an SA80 prototype, and a BSA Machine Carbine, highlighting their unusual mechanisms and limited adoption.

This entry details the Knight's Armament KS-1 (L403A1), the British Army's new Alternative Individual Weapon, adopted under Project Hunter. Expert Jonathan Ferguson from the Royal Armouries provides an in-depth look at its features, intended use for specialized units, and its role in supplementing existing platforms like the SA80.

This guide details the process of arming an 11th-century Norman knight, as explained by an institutional expert from the Royal Armouries. It covers the sequence of donning essential protective gear, including padded undergarments, a mail hauberk, a nasal helmet, and a kite shield, emphasizing weight distribution and historical construction techniques.

This guide details the installation and operation of the Harston's Patent Mark IV magazine, a rare modification designed to convert the single-shot Martini-Henry rifle into a repeater. Expert Jonathan Ferguson explains the mechanism, its inventor Captain Charles Gravelle Harston, and the historical context of its development. The guide covers fitting the magazine, the cycling process for feeding rounds, and the use of the cutoff device for single-shot operation, while also noting potential reliability issues and the high conversion cost.