Thompson Riot Ammo

This video compares a suppressed Thompson M1A1 prototype with the Sten Mk.IIS, detailing the Thompson's unique suppressor design and modifications. Despite comparable muzzle noise, the Thompson's significantly louder mechanical action and heavier, longer profile led to its abandonment in favor of the M3 Grease Gun in 1944 trials.

This video compares three Thompson submachine gun variants: the 1921, 1921/28, and M1A1, focusing on their rates of fire and shootability. The 1921 fires fastest at 960 rpm and is surprisingly controllable, while the 1921/28 (830 rpm) is slightly harder to manage. The M1A1, with the slowest rate of fire (655 rpm), is deemed the most difficult to control due to its lack of a compensator. The original 1921 is preferred for its shooting experience despite less refined sights.

The De Lisle Commando Carbine, a rare WWII suppressed rifle, was developed for the British SOE. It features a Lee-Enfield action chambered in .45 ACP, utilizing a ported Thompson submachine gun barrel within an integral Duralumin suppressor. This expert review highlights its design for silent sentry elimination and its historical service.

This video compares the 1921 and 1928 Thompson submachine guns, highlighting their differences in rate of fire and controllability. The 1921 model fires at 900 RPM, making it difficult to control, while the 1928 model was modified to a slower 650 RPM for improved handling. The discussion also covers magazine variations and the innovative Blish lock mechanism.

This YouTube Shorts video offers a review and comparison of the full auto and semi-automatic versions of the Thompson submachine gun. The title suggests the full-auto variant may not perform as well as its semi-automatic counterpart, indicating a focus on practical performance and user experience. The content likely involves demonstrating the firearms and offering an expert opinion on their functionality and effectiveness.

The M3 Grease Gun's magazine design was driven by its mass-production, low-cost philosophy, mirroring the British Sten gun. Unlike the Thompson's complex T-lug system requiring milled receivers, the M3 used a simpler single-feed magazine compatible with its stamped sheet metal construction. This design choice prioritized manufacturing efficiency over inter-operability with existing Thompson magazines.

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.