Competition
Type 94 Nambu at the Backup Gun Match
The Type 94 Nambu pistol is best known for the exposed sear that allows it to be fired by pressing on the side of the gun. This is actually not really the safety issue it’s […]
Year: 2020
Select-fire Rifles
The FAL for British Troop Trials in 1954: X8E1 & X8E2
The NATO rifle trials of the early 1950s eventually chose the 7.62mm x 51mm cartridge, and the British and Belgians agreed on the FAL rifle to shoot it (and they thought the US would as […]
Bolt Action Rifles
A Unique Partnership: Czech Mausers for Ethiopia after WWII
After World War Two, the Czech economy was in serious need of money to recover from the ravages of war. The arms factory at Brno was not bound by the same restrictions as German manufacturers, […]
Q&A
Q&A #38: Short-recoil SMGs and Kimber Model 1907 .45s
Q&A time again! 00:45 – Rifles with 3-dot pistol style sights? 01:56 – Why not more short-barreled machine guns, if barrel length doesn’t impact accuracy? 03:53 – Is bolt/carrier mass important in a roller delayed […]
Prototype
FN Grand Browning: The European 1911 that Never Happened
When John Browning licensed his handgun patents, the North American rights were granted to Colt, and the Western European rights to FN in Belgium. Browning provided the patents and patent model guns to the companies, […]
Gunsmithing
RIA Feb 2020 Special: Sporterized M1 Carbine
Our final quick video from RIA this weekend is a look at a sporterized M1 Carbine – but one that was actually done quite nicely! I would never suggest that someone cut up an intact […]
Revolver
RIA Feb 2020 Special: Mystery Spanish Revolver
Today’s quick look at RIA is a Spanish revolver that I can’t identify. The proof stamps indicate that it was made in 1931, and it has an unusual cylinder latch that looks like a loading […]
Bolt Action Rifles
RIA Feb 2020 Special: Field-Modified Mannlicher 1888 Carbine
Today’s quick RIA look is a Mannlicher 1888 that was cut down to carbine length and adapted to fit a Type 30 Japanese Arisaka bayonet. Most likely done in China in the teens or twenties, […]
Semiauto Rifles
RIA February 2020 Special: Venezuelan and Argentine FN49s
Today at RIA, a quick look at a pair of FN-49s – one Venezuelan pattern in 7x57mm, and one Argentine Navy model in 7.62mm NATO using detachable mags (the only variant of FN-49 to do […]
Bolt Action Rifles
Arming the Lion of Judah: Ethiopian FN Mauser Rifles & Carbines
In 1930, Haile Selassie I became Emperor of Ethiopia (aka Abysinia), and would rule for almost 45 years, with a brief exception when the country was occupied by fascist Italy. During that time, he paid […]