The Rhodesia Mamba: Big Hype and a Big Flop

This expert review from Forgotten Weapons details the Mauser Model 90 DA, a rebranded Hungarian P9R pistol. It highlights Mauser's 1980s-90s strategy of acquiring and rebranding foreign handguns due to a lack of in-house product development. The review thoroughly compares the M90 DA to the Browning Hi-Power and Smith & Wesson Model 59, detailing significant internal and external differences.

The Rhodesian Mamba, a 9mm pistol later produced by Navy Arms, faced significant reliability issues due to manufacturing challenges, particularly with cast stainless steel. Despite acceptable accuracy and ergonomics for a combat sidearm, its tendency for malfunctions like light primer strikes and extraction failures, coupled with a dangerous manual hammer drop for DA engagement, prevented commercial success. It was a theoretical contender for military trials but ultimately failed due to these shortcomings.

This video details the catastrophic manufacturing failures behind the Mamba pistol, primarily stemming from a severe lack of experience and coordination. Despite ambitious goals, the project was plagued by technical issues, poor quality control, and a disregard for basic engineering principles, leading to a high rate of non-functional firearms. The narrative highlights the critical importance of expertise in both design and production for successful firearm development.

The Smith & Wesson Model 59, released in 1971, was a pioneering 'Wonder Nine' double-stack 9mm pistol that challenged the revolver-dominated market. Despite early criticism of its 15-round capacity, it proved to be a reliable and accurate firearm, with a surprisingly short trigger reset rivaling modern pistols. While its grip is considered chunky by today's standards, clean examples are collectible and historically significant, representing a key step in the evolution of modern handguns.

This video focuses on collecting and showcasing Marlin Camp carbines, specifically the Model 9 and Model 45. The presenter highlights their appeal due to their compatibility with common pistol magazines, including those for the 1911 and Smith & Wesson Model 59/69 series. The content centers on pattern collecting these two distinct Marlin carbine models.

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.