Semiauto Rifles - Forgotten Weapons

Headspace-Operated Prototype Rifle – Yeah, it’s as Weird as it Sounds

December 28, 2020 Ian McCollum 80

Today we are taking a look at a very unusual prototype rifle, courtesy of Legacy Collectibles. I suspect – but have no direct evidence – that this was designed by one Francis K. Young, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

CETME Paratrooper Top-Folding Stock

October 16, 2020 Ian McCollum 5

Spain adopted the CETME Modelo B rifle for service in 1958. These early rifles were chambered for the reduced-pressure 7.62mm CETME cartridge, and had a few other unique features. Some of these were made with […]

Polytech AKS – The First Wave of Semiauto Chinese AK Rifles

October 14, 2020 Ian McCollum 14

The first semiauto commercial AK rifles to enter the US were Finnish Valmets. These established a US collector interested but while excellent in quality, they did not quite fit the visual pattern of the classic […]

The Last Swiss Battle Rifle: SIG-Manurhin 542 (in .243)

October 12, 2020 Ian McCollum 12

After the failure of the SIG 530 rifle (a gas operated, roller locked design), SIG looked for a much simpler rifle design, in both operation and manufacture. Wheat they came up with was fundamentally AK-like, […]