Rifles - Forgotten Weapons

Brownells Retro AR-15 Family: What Was, Is and Yet to Come

December 17, 2020 Ian McCollum 4

Brownells has produced a substantial line of retro AR-15 pattern rifles, from the “Proto” with the trigger-shaped charging handle to the M16A1 and XM-177 rifles and carbines. Today I am joined by Paul Levy from […]

Uniquely Ethiopian Shortened Lebel Rifles

December 16, 2020 Ian McCollum 10

Today we are looking at an interesting sub-type of Ethiopian Lebel short rifle. When InterOrdnance brought in the surviving Lebels from Ethiopian storage, eleven of one hundred were in this configuration, with barrels shortened to […]

Checking Ammo in my Finnish M39 Mosin for Finnish Brutality

December 15, 2020 Ian McCollum 15

Finnish Brutality 2021 is going to be a tough match in the best case. But I will be running it in a 1940 uniform, with a Mosin. A Finnish M39 Mosin, sure, but still a […]

M1 Carbine on the PCC Course of Fire

December 12, 2020 Ian McCollum 13

Today I am running an early-configuration M1 Carbine through my standardized Pistol-Caliber Carbine course of fire. This consists of a selection of cool target systems from MOA Targets – an 8-plate dueling tree, a mini-Mozambique, […]

Bringing a Retro Rifle to Life: The Brownells BRN-10 with Paul Levy

December 10, 2020 Ian McCollum 3

NOTE: Since this video was recorded, Brownells has changed their plans, and will not be restocking BRN-10 barrels or parts once the current inventory is depleted. Today I’m sitting down with Paul Levy from Brownells […]

The Enigmatic Iraqi Tabuk AKs w/ Miles Vining

December 7, 2020 Ian McCollum 9

Today I am joined by Miles Vining from Silah Report to take a look at a selection of Tabuk pattern AKs. Tabuk was the name given to the whole family of domestically-produced Iraqi Kalashnikovs, which […]

History of the Monolithic Polymer AR: From Colt to KE Arms

December 5, 2020 Ian McCollum 23

Today we are taking a look at the history of the monolithic polymer AR-15 lower receiver. By “monolithic” I mean a design which integrates the receiver, grip, and buttstock all into a single unit, rather […]

Czechoslovakia Recycles Mosins: The vz.54 Sniper

December 2, 2020 Ian McCollum 57

Czechoslovakia adopted a whole new slate of small arms in the 1950s, including the vz.52 pistol vz.52 rifle, and vz.52 light machine gun. They also adopted a new sniper rifle, developed by a Moravian designed […]

Elbonian M52/57/61 Paratrooper Carbine

November 29, 2020 Ian McCollum 41

In 1960, Elbonia set out an RFP for a new carbine for a fledgling paratroop brigade. They wanted a rifle to provide a higher volume of firepower for these troops, rather like the intention of […]

Teenagers vs the British Empire: Smith Bateman’s Hall Rifle

November 24, 2020 Ian McCollum 16

On May 20, 1826 the United States Congress formally presented Model 1819 Hall rifles with personalized silver plaques to the 20 members of Aikin’s Volunteers, for their “Gallantry at the Siege of Plattsburg”. The Volunteers […]