Testing an Original WW1 Trench Gun w/ GI Buckshot: How Does it Pattern?

The Remington Model 10 trench gun, designed by John Pedersen, offered superior protection against trench debris with its enclosed receiver compared to the Winchester 1897. Despite its mechanical advantages and aggressive handling, only about 3,500 were produced for WWI. Testing revealed buckshot struggled to penetrate a German helmet, and the speaker encountered reliability issues like a loose bayonet lug and feeding failures.

The Winchester 1897 Trench Gun was a pivotal US military firearm in WWI, favored for its effectiveness in trench warfare despite European reservations. Key features include a robust pump-action, slam-fire capability, and a bayonet lug adapted for the M1917 Enfield bayonet. Early models had specific serial number ranges and solid frames, with heat shields to protect the shooter.

This review covers the iconic Winchester 1897 'Trench Gun,' highlighting its slam-fire capability and historical significance in WWI. The tested refurbished model from Bull Creek Arms offers a functional experience without the prohibitive cost of originals. Despite its age, the shotgun handles recoil surprisingly well with birdshot and buckshot, though the exposed hammer and slam-fire action require careful handling.

The Mossberg 590A1 Retrograde offers a classic aesthetic with modern reliability. Hickok45 highlights its walnut furniture, bayonet lug, and robust construction, comparing it to the standard 590A1. The review covers performance with birdshot and buckshot, and demonstrates the utility of the OpSol Mini-Clip for shooting mini shells, concluding it's a versatile and dependable firearm.

This documentary from C&Rsenal's WWI Primer series delves into the history, function, and live-fire demonstration of the US Winchester 1897 "Trench Gun". The video honors the centennial anniversary of World War I and is presented by Othais and Mae. It includes mentions of supporting resources, books related to Winchester firearms, and credits for ammunition data and animations.

This review of the Winchester Model 1897 Trench Shotgun highlights its historical significance in WWI and its unique 'slam fire' capability. The video demonstrates the shotgun's destructive power on various targets, including watermelons and armored car components, while also humorously addressing issues with a loose bayonet. It showcases the firearm's raw, rapid-firing potential as a historical 'trench sweeper'.

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.