Q&A - Forgotten Weapons

Ask Ian: Liberators or Cobray Terminators for the Elbonian Resistance?

September 29, 2022 Ian McCollum 22

From Jon on Patreon: “Elbonia has been occupied by an enemy force. Do you sabotage their resistance by airdropping them Liberator pistols or Cobray Terminators?” To my mind, the Liberator is a substantially more useful […]

Ask Ian: What Rifles Were the M2-M13?

September 27, 2022 Ian McCollum 20

From Dennis on Patreon: “What rifles were between the M1 Garand and the M14? I went through Basic with an M14 and I know the M15 was supposed to be a BAR replacement. Google doesn’t […]

Ask Ian: Why Does the AR15 Have a Buffer Thingie?

September 22, 2022 Ian McCollum 42

From Arvid on Utreon: “Why does an AR-15 need a buffer thingy? Why can’t it just have a spring like every other normal gun?” The Ar-15 really doesn’t need the buffer and tube, but it […]

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) […]

Ask Ian: My Most Unsafe Range Experience (Incoming Rounds!)

September 8, 2022 Ian McCollum 11

From Brian on Patreon: “What’s the dumbest or most unsafe thing you’ve ever witnessed while out shooting in the desert or at a range / match?” That would definitely be when a pair of totally […]

Ask Ian: Are Man-Portable Chain Guns Coming?

September 1, 2022 Ian McCollum 38

From Nikolas on Patreon: “Have there been any attempts to make miniaturized man-portable chain guns? Do you think there’s a future for such a machine gun given modern advances in energy storage?” Chain guns are […]

Ask Ian: Analyzing the Savage Rotating Barrel (at 7500 frames/sec)

August 23, 2022 Ian McCollum 24

A question I have been asked by several different people in several Q&A threads is: “Does the Savage rotating-barrel system actually do anything?” In his 1905 patent, Elbert Searle specifically claims that his design creates […]

Ask Ian: Tractors to Typewriters, Non-Gun Companies Making Guns?

August 18, 2022 Ian McCollum 52

From Brian on Patreon: “Would you give your thoughts and comments on non-gun companies making guns? For example Baldwin Locomotive/Eddystone 1917s, IH Garands, GM M-16s, most M-1 carbines, maybe even TRW M-14s. How did the […]

Ask Ian – What Was the Best WW2 Rifle Cartridge?

August 4, 2022 Ian McCollum 97

From crablegs21 on Utreon: “In your opinion and in hindsight, which country had the most optimized cartridge for the their primary infantry rifle for WWII? Additionally, which country would have benefited most by switching to […]

Ask Ian: Why Didn’t The M3 Grease Gun use Thompson Mags?

July 28, 2022 Ian McCollum 21

From Richard on Patreon: “Why didn’t the M3 and M3A1 (grease gun) have a double stack/double feed mag and use the Thompson mag? It would have certainly simplified logistics.” The answer to the first part […]