The Soviet Union Adopts an SMG: Degtyarev's PPD-34/38

The PPD-40, designed by Vasily Degtyarev, was the first major Soviet submachine gun, initially influenced by the DP-27. Despite its accuracy and reliability, its complex, lathe-turned construction made it expensive. The PPD-40 saw significant development, notably adopting a drum magazine inspired by the Finnish Suomi M31, and was later replaced by the mass-producible PPSh-41.

This review of the PPSh-41 highlights its evolution from the PPD-40, driven by the need for mass production during WWII. Georgi Shpagin's design utilized stamped metal and welding for cost-effectiveness. While the 71-round drum magazine offered high capacity, it was complex and prone to interchangeability issues, leading to the adoption of simpler 35-round box magazines.

This episode of American Rifleman TV covers three distinct firearms. First, it delves into the history of the iconic Winchester Model 70 "Rifleman's Rifle," tracing its evolution. Following that, a review of the Taurus G3c pistol in 9mm is presented. The classic segment features the Soviet PPD-40 submachine gun, designed by Vasily Degtyaryov and chambered in 7.62x33mm, which was the standard Soviet submachine gun at the beginning of World War II.

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.