ZX-7 American Sterling at the Range

The PAWS ZX-7 is an American-made .45 ACP clone of the British Sterling SMG, designed by Bob Imel after foreign machine gun import bans. Imel modified the Sterling design for easier domestic production, including a simplified stock and grip assembly, and used modified M3 Grease Gun magazines. Production shifted to semi-automatic variants after 1986, with around 400 transferable machine guns made.

This review of the Sterling SMG highlights its compact and portable design, featuring a reliable 34-round magazine designed by George Patchett. While the light weight can cause muzzle climb, the aperture sights and semi-automatic mode aid accuracy. The video demonstrates traditional hip-shooting techniques and praises the gun's overall handling and historical significance.

The CETME C2 (CB-64) is a Spanish submachine gun inspired by the Sterling SMG but with significant internal improvements. It features a unique bolt-lock charging handle and an internal safety wedge to prevent slam fires. While visually similar to the Sterling, parts are not interchangeable, and it uses a straight 30-round magazine. The C2 was chambered in 9mm Parabellum and 9mm Largo, replacing older Star submachine guns.

The Australian F1 SMG, adopted in 1962, was designed to replace the Owen gun, aiming for cheaper production while retaining its top-mounted magazine. It features a progressive trigger for semi-auto and full-auto fire, a non-reciprocating charging handle, and uses Sterling magazines. While functional, its offset sights and perceived fragility compared to the Owen gun are noted drawbacks.

The Sterling S11 was a 1965 prototype SMG designed by Frank Waters to be a cheaper, easier-to-produce alternative to the original Sterling SMG, utilizing a stamped receiver. Key features include an offset barrel and sights, interchangeable Sterling magazines, a Lanchester-style folding stock, and dual bayonet lugs for No. 5 and L1A1 bayonets. Despite innovative design elements like a ratcheting charging handle, technical flaws and high tooling costs led to its cancellation in 1967.

This review details the evolution of British submachine guns, starting with the Lanchester as a MP28 copy and progressing to the mass-producible Sten series. It highlights the Sten's cost-effectiveness and reliability issues, contrasting it with the more refined Mark V. The video also covers experimental designs and concludes with the Sterling L2A3, praised for its innovative magazine design and long service life.

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.