How Guns Work - Forgotten Weapons

How Does It Work: Clips! (Not Magazines)

June 16, 2021 Ian McCollum 30

Today we are looking at clips and how they work. There are two different types; Mannlicher-style and Mauser-style. Mannlicher clips were introduced circa 1885, and are also known as en bloc or packet loading clips. […]

How Does It Work: Toggle Actions

June 3, 2021 Ian McCollum 25

Toggle actions are a relatively exotic locking system that are relatively common and well-known because the system was used in a pair of particularly successful early guns: the Luger and Maxim/Vickers. There have also been […]

How Does It Work: Lever Delayed Blowback

July 11, 2019 Ian McCollum 40

Lever-delayed blowback is a relatively uncommon action system, although it is applicable to a wide variety fo firearms and has been successfully used in submachine guns, rifles, and light machine guns. It uses a principle […]

How Does it Work: Gas-Delayed Blowback

June 11, 2019 Ian McCollum 21

Gas-delayed blowback is a relatively uncommon operating system used in handguns. It is not an efficient mechanism for high-pressure rifle power cartridges, but works well with something like 9mm Parabellum. It tends to provide benefits […]

How Does it Work: Long Recoil

February 7, 2019 Ian McCollum 43

Long recoil operation is one of the most mechanically interesting of the main firearm operating systems. When the gun fires, the recoil energy generated forces the barrel to move rearward, and the bolt remains locked […]

Direct Gas Impingement Video

March 11, 2013 Ian McCollum 14

Many people already know everything I’m going to say in today’s video, but I think it’s important to get it out there for the folks who don’t have as much mechanical experience with their rifles. […]