Steyr ACR: A Polymer Flechette-Firing Bullpup From the 90s

The Steyr ACR was a 1990s bullpup rifle developed for a US military program, notable for its polymer construction and unique flechette ammunition. Firing needle-like projectiles at an extreme 4,800 fps, it featured an open-bolt action and a distinctive ring primer for reliable ignition. While innovative, it represented a departure from conventional firearm design.

This video from the Royal Armouries features firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson diving deep into the Heckler & Koch G11, a futuristic assault rifle designed with caseless ammunition and a high rate of fire that never reached mass production. The episode, part of the #WhatisthisWeapon? series, explores the rifle's ambitious design and its unique place in firearm history. It also includes links to the World of Guns app where viewers can interact with a digital version of the G11.

This review highlights the Bushmaster ACR's modularity and performance in 5.56mm. The video demonstrates live fire with a suppressor, showcasing recoil management and cycling. Key components like the Elcan SpecterDR optic, PEQ-15 laser, and Magpul PMAG are featured, alongside Winchester ammunition.

This video showcases a prototype ACR undergoing testing over a beach environment, highlighting its durability and performance in a harsh setting. The description explicitly contrasts this with the performance of an M4 under similar conditions, implying the ACR's superiority in such extreme situations. The mention of 'many moons ago' suggests a look back at early development or testing phases.

The H&K G11 is a revolutionary rifle designed for caseless ammunition, featuring a unique hyperburst mode firing 2,000 rounds per minute. Its complex internal mechanism, resembling clockwork, utilizes a rotating drum for cycling. Despite German military certification, the program was canceled post-Cold War. The rifle's advanced design and unique firing modes highlight a significant, albeit unrealized, step in firearm development.

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 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.