Select-fire Rifles - Forgotten Weapons

FAMAS G1: Simplified for Export

September 17, 2025 Ian McCollum 21

The FAMAS G1 was developed as a lower-cost option for FAMAS export sales. The original F1 model had been offered for international sale, but it attracted little interest largely because of its high price. In […]

French Trials FN CAL: Adding Rifle Grenade Capability

September 10, 2025 Ian McCollum 10

Check out Headstamp Publishing’s extensive catalog of excellent books! In the 1970s when the French Army was looking for a new rifle 5.56mm, they tested a number of foreign rifles alongside development the FAMAS at […]

M2 Carbine vs MP44 Sturmgewehr (w/ John Keene)

August 30, 2025 Ian McCollum 47

Today we are considering two late World War Two rifles: the American M2 Carbine and the German MP-44 Sturmgewehr. Which would you take into combat? The Sturmgewehr is certainly iconic, with a more powerful cartridge, […]

East Germany’s Nice .22 AK Trainer: KK-Mpi-69

August 6, 2025 Ian McCollum 4

Check out Headstamp Publishing’s extensive catalog of excellent books! The KK-Mpi-69 (Klein Kaliber Maschinenpistole 1969) was a .22 rimfire training model of the standard East German stamped AKM. It used a simple blowback replacement bolt […]

Pick One: G1 (FAL) vs G3 (H&K) w/ John Keene

August 2, 2025 Ian McCollum 49

If you had to pick one, would you take a G1 (FAL) or a G3 (H&K)? Both are 7.62mm NATO rifles adopted by Germany. The G1 has more features and capabilities, like the carry handle, […]

Krieghoff’s Bizarre Prototype FG42 Proposal

July 23, 2025 Ian McCollum 36

Check out Headstamp Publishing’s extensive catalog of excellent books: https://www.headstamppublishing.com/home-forgotten When the Luftwaffe was looking for its new universal paratrooper rifle, six different German arms companies were asked to submit proposals. Only two actually did; […]

Roller Delay in France: The H&K 33F (Trials & Export Models)

July 14, 2025 Ian McCollum 15

Check out Headstamp Publishing’s extensive catalog of excellent books: https://www.headstamppublishing.com/home-forgotten When France was looking to replace the MAS 49/56 rifle for military service in the 1970s, it tested all of the major rifle options available. […]

AK4 TP: Estonia’s Modernized G3 DMR / Sniper

June 30, 2025 Ian McCollum 13

When Estonia received a large influx of small arms from Sweden they got both regular AK4 rifles (Sweden’s version of the G3) and scoped DMR models. The standard Estonian infantry squad had nine riflemen and […]

Haenel’s Prototype Simplified Sturmgewehr StG45(H)

May 26, 2025 Ian McCollum 77

In December 1944, the Haenel company received permission to produce a simplified version of the StG-44 Sturmgewehr. The idea was to keep the mechanical system and controls as similar as possible to the design in […]

AK4: Sweden’s Beefed-Up Take on the G3

May 19, 2025 Ian McCollum 13

Order your copy of Small Arms of the Cold War: Battle Rifles of NATO today: https://www.headstamppublishing.com/cold-war-battle Or if you are in Europe, please order through our European site: https://www.headstampbook.com/cold-war-battle When Sweden decided to replace its […]