2022 - Forgotten Weapons

A Path Less Traveled: IM Metal’s Tavor-Based Prototype for the VHS-1

September 21, 2022 Ian McCollum 3

Today we are continuing to trace the development of the IM Metal / HS Produkt VHS rifles. During this period, Croatia briefly considered adopting the Israeli Tavor rifle. Part of the adoption would have included […]

Ask Ian: Why No German WW2 50-Cal Machine Guns? (feat. Nick Moran)

September 20, 2022 Ian McCollum 40

From Nathaniel on Patreon: “Why didn’t Germany or Axis powers have a machine gun similar to the American M2?” Basically, because everyone faced the choice of a .50 caliber machine gun or 20mm (or larger) […]

Star Megastar: Spain’s Massive 10mm Autopistol

September 19, 2022 Ian McCollum 30

In the late 1980s, the Spanish gunmaker Star decided to join the new hot trend of 10mm semiauto pistols. The cartridge was getting a lot of press, and Star saw this as an opportunity too […]

BMPs, Hurdles, and Kettlebells: Finnish Brutality 2022 Day 2!

September 18, 2022 Ian McCollum 7

Thanks to Varusteleka for putting on an absolutely magnificent match! I’m also very happy to have a line of merchandise now available with them. Time for Day 2 of Finnish Brutality 2022! We have five […]

Sauna, Sisu, and Sprinting: Finnish Brutality 2022 Day 1

September 17, 2022 Ian McCollum 11

Thanks to Varusteleka for putting on an absolutely magnificent match! I’m also very happy to have a line of merchandise now available with them: Finnish Brutality this year has expanded from 8 stages over two […]

Great New FW Merch from Varusteleka

September 16, 2022 Ian McCollum 3

I’m really excited to have this merchandise available from my friends at Varusteleka – check it out!

Ask Ian: Good Bullpup Conversions

September 15, 2022 Ian McCollum 14

From John on Patreon: “You’ve covered your fair share of strange conversion of firearms. Have you ever come across a bullpup conversion that was actually useful, and not a kludge?” Nope. That’s basically the whole […]

Genesis of the VHS: IM Metal Gets a FAMAS

September 14, 2022 Ian McCollum 26

After their abortive effort at designing a bullpup AK conversion, IM Metal (later to become HS Produkt) decided to make another try at developing a rifle for the Croatian Army. This time, they decided to […]

CETME-L Handguards: The Poor Early Model and the Later Better One

September 13, 2022 Ian McCollum 1

The early production CETME-L (and CETME-LC) rifles used a thin, fragile, full-length handguard. It was redesigned fairly early in production with a much more durable version that provided better hand insulation. The Spanish Army updated […]

Germany Copies the Soviets: L23 & L27 Silencers

September 12, 2022 Ian McCollum 4

The German L23 silencer was essentially a copy of captured Soviet Bramit silencers, complete with the attachment system locking around a rifle front sight. Two hundred of these made for the K98k rifle for German […]