We Fired German Weapons of World War Two

Luke Tomes returns to the Royal Armouries in Leeds to fire some of the most iconic weapons of the Second World War belonging to the German Wehrmacht.
As always he is joined by Keeper of Firearms & Artillery, Jonathan Ferguson who talks him through the history of all the pistols, rifles and machine guns employed in the conflict.
First up is the Luger P08, a distinctive semi-automatic pistol that became emblematic of German forces during World War II. Chambered in 9mm, it is known for its unique toggle-lock mechanism and ergonomic design. Initially adopted by the German military in 1908, it saw extensive use in both World Wars. Despite being replaced by the Walther P38 toward the latter end of the conflict, the Luger P08 remained a coveted war trophy and is celebrated for its engineering and historical significance.
Second is the Karabiner 98k bolt-action rifle, the standard infantry weapon of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. Introduced in 1935, it was chambered in 7.92×57mm Mauser and known for its accuracy, reliability, and ruggedness. Widely used on all fronts, the Kar98k became a symbol of German military prowess. It influenced post-war bolt-action designs and remains popular among collectors and historians for its historical impact.
Third up, the StG 44 (Sturmgewehr 44), developed by Nazi Germany during World War II and considered the first modern assault rifle. Chambered in 7.92×33mm Kurz, it combined the firepower of a submachine gun with the range and accuracy of a rifle. Introduced in 1944, it significantly enhanced infantry firepower, influencing post-war assault rifle designs, including the AK-47. Despite its late introduction and limited numbers, the StG 44 had a lasting impact on small arms development.
Last but not least is the MP 40, a German submachine gun, used extensively by Axis forces during World War II. Chambered in 9mm Parabellum, it featured a compact design, folding stock, and high rate of fire, making it ideal for mechanized and airborne troops. Introduced in 1940, it succeeded earlier MP 38 models. Known for its reliability and ease of use, the MP 40 became a symbol of German infantry, influencing post-war submachine gun designs globally.
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#historyhit #jonathanferguson #worldwartwo
00:00 Introduction
01:59 Luger P08
08:41 Firing Luger P08
12:36 Karabiner 98k
21:56 Firing Karabiner 98k
24:15 StG 44
32:17 Firing StG 44
34:33 MP 40
41:45 Firing MP 40
43:15 Best Weapon?

[@javiersp15]

So glad “This is Jonathan Ferguson, the Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum in the UK, which houses a collection of thousands of iconic weapons from throughout history.” got to use his emotional support STG-44.

[@aaronleverton4221]

One has to wonder when he will be honoured by HIs Majesty King Charles III as Sir Jonathon Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries, which house a collection of thousands of iconic weapons from throughout history.

[@nemilyk]

I chuckled seeing "Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum in the UK" listed correctly under his name at the start 😛

[@t_broek]

@@nemilyk oh my god I hadn't noticed that hahaha

[@sweracoon7931]

I came here for this comment. I am glad to see proper respect is being paid to this scholar and gentleman.

[@RoyalArmouries]

The reunion we were all waiting for 😍

[@2.5productions]

HOLY HELL IT'S JONATHAN'S EMOTIONAL SUPPORT STG

[@liamferreira8912]

That STG 44 is just heavenly to look at. It must be said it has quite impressive ergonomics for the first mass issued assault rifle. Hugo Schmeisser’s mind was a decade ahead of the rest in WW2

[@hikelfin5941]

Yeah you can really see why the soviets picked them up off the battlefield and sent them back to Moscow and designed the AK after them. Kind of the perfect starter Pokémon to build onto.

[@TheSundayShooter]

The Stg-44 was the first _assault rifle_ nominally and functionally. The machine rifles that came before it were not suitable for the role nor title

[@saltzkruber732]

@@TheSundayShooterThey did not have intermediate cartridges like the Stg. And they did not enter mass service. They are more considered automatic rifles.

[@mathiasemmens3451]

@hikelfin5941 a common misconception but the STG-44 and AK-47 share only visual similarities. i recommend Brandon Herrera’s video on it if you want more info. the AK-47 actually shares more similarities with the M1 Garand than the STG-44.

[@fourleaf7570]

@@mathiasemmens3451 M1 Rifle (Garand) + Remington Model 81 + Stg-44 = AK Simple as

[@SeizurePorygon]

Is that Jonathan’s Emotional Support Sturmgewehr?

[@craigplatel813]

Would like to see an fg-42 demonstrated if they have one.

[@macobuzi]

FG-42 is even rarer, only 10000 were produced.

[@garrybaldy327]

Leeds Armouries have a Mk.1 on display

[@neilwilson5785]

@@garrybaldy327 Go there if you can. it is HUGE, and has everything from pistols to war elephants, not kidding. And they do jousting in the summer.

[@bastiangugu4083]

I think Forgotten Weapons has a video where a replica of an FG-42 is fired.

[@kurtschlesinger8257]

There where not many made

[@zanychelly]

The Sturmgewehr came in way too late in the war, but you can see from where Kalishinikov took his design from…

[@RosewoodActual]

other than a long stroke piston the AK shares nothing with the Sturmgewehr, Kalashnikov even said the M1 Garand was part of the inspiration behind the AK. 7.62x39 was created in ‘43, months before the Soviets got their hands on the Sturmgewehr so even the cartridge of the AK predates the STG.

[@blegh277]

@@RosewoodActual it shares ergonomics and user interface philosophy, but yes mechanically it doesnt share much with the stg

[@MATTY-G-HULL]

I see Jonathan Ferguson, the keeper of firearms and artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum in the UK, which houses a collection of thousands of iconic weapons from throughout history I press like

[@Bobbymaccys]

POV: your boss didn’t get into art school.

[@zebra1327]

I do like the fact that you talk about the fact that a lot of weaponry was produced by POWs, something we should never forget

[@CharlieFoxtrot128]

Ye. Germany would take weapons factories when they invaded countries and force them to produce their weapons for the germans

[@MeanBeanComedy]

​@@CharlieFoxtrot128Would they make the same weapons they were making, or would they have to switch all the machinery over?

[@JohnGenericName]

​​@@MeanBeanComedy It mostly depends on the tools available. For example, the Czech vz. 27 was Czech-designed, but it was used by Germany after the occupation of Czechia. Since they had all the equipment ready to make that pistol, it was easier to just keep making that rather than shipping in a bunch of machines to convert the factory to make a P34. This was the case for a lot of pistols, rifles, etc. There are certainly cases of a Czech made K98 rifle too, it just depends on logistics. It's similar to non-weapons factories. Belt buckles are going to work pretty much the same everywhere, fabric factories for uniforms, canneries for food, etc. If it makes more sense to not convert a factory, they usually didn't convert the factory.

[@ianspy1]

Love that casio calculator watch from Jonathan :D

[@MarkARhodie]

He's a Back to the Future fan.

[@ianspy1]

@@MarkARhodie ahhh ! That's why :D I recently got my first gshock, and have been loving it!

[@saurannuraliyev1695]

It's incredible to imagine that these arms were produced almost a century ago, what a quality

[@zamiryi]

indeed ! I have a modern reproduction of the MP40 and aside from nicer looking finish the function is pretty well identical with one from 80 years ago. I love shooting it and the choice of 9mm round still makes it very affordable to dump 300 rds at the range.

[@faithrewarded7486]

Luke: "It's got a good legacy" Jonathan: *chokes* "ultimately" - His face was perfect.

[@wolfhausindustries]

I must express just how much I truly appreciate the cluttered appearance of storage chaos all around the indoor range y'all use. It almost looks as if you're just shooting in a garage or basement, and as someone that DIY'd a single car garage into a machine shop the whole setup just makes me feel right at home lol.

[@CharlieFoxtrot128]

Im pretty sure this range IS just the basement of the royal armories lmao

[@mark__whitfield]

It's a bit claustrophobic for me but I can deal with it. The lighting and camera angles are terrible though! Jonathan is fantastic.

[@0ate5y]

​@@CharlieFoxtrot128 Can't do outside no more

[@0ate5y]

The council would probably go on

[@carlbrown9082]

My favourite historic firearm, the STG/MP44. I wish I had this guy's job, working with such historic weapons.

[@saltzkruber732]

One of the biggest limits to producing the Stg 44 was the ammo production, just as much as making the gun itself

[@moritzfauser1766]

The biggest Limit was the 44

[@adriannarobeson4758]

I have my eue on the replica STG44 by GSG. I eant the 9mm one instead of the 22 personally they should make thrm where they shoot 5.56 NATO like my AR-15.

[@macbrown99]

you might say supplies were.....short?

[@wyattpeterson6286]

That is one reason hitler ordered the guns production to be stopped (at first). Nazi germany's supply chain was already taking a hammering from allied bombing and he felt introducing a new cartridge and weapon would strain it further.

[@brandonmcmanis5528]

That ansHitler hated the thing. There's a reason it was the MP43, MP44 and STG44. Hitler canceled the development at least three times and they would change the name so he wouldn't find out.

[@managementconsulting5505]

Fun fact: the MP44 assault rifle got this label MP (Machinenpistol, German for SMG) because Hitler didn't believe in the assault rifle concept, contrary to his generals. So they relabeled it as a new model of SMG to have him accept the commission. Thus, the weapon kept its deviated label. Hitler was a WW1 veteran and to him, what mattered was a rifle shooting a heavy bullet over a long distance.

[@MeanBeanComedy]

It's so interesting to see what the oldheads are willing to change on and what they're not.

[@sthrich635]

To be fair, before the term "assault rifle" was made, if one gives a StG44 to a soldier of interwar period, he would most likely identify it and used it as a SMG anyway given its size, magazine and weight - Lighter than a MG, larger magazine than a rifle but with shorter range, but still more powerful than pistol -> in 1918 that was the MP 18. And the first designation was Maschine-karbiner or Mkb 42, it was changed under Hitler's insistence, as it confused the troop of whether it was a short range or long range weapon, or an LMG instead. The best usage of StG44 was for assault purpose, for assault troops who normally wielded Maschinepistole, so the MP designation immediately tell unit commander how to distribute the StG44 - to fully equip an assault squad that was trained in assault tactics, armed with grenades, not instead given one per squad like MG42, nor a replacement for a basic Kar98k for some random basic soldiers.

[@ImotekhtheStormlord-tx2it]

in my honest opinion. jonathan is one of the best ppl on yt now. he's one of us, a gamer who studied and got a job in probably the best work you can get as a gamer. he has 0 dramas, he doesnt flex with helping gamespot stay on YT algorithms (which he does, if not him the channel wouldve died and thats a fact)

[@GarrisonNichols-ow1hb]

I've fired both the British Lee Enfield and a German K98 and I'll tell you from my own personal experience the K98 is the smoothest to load and shoot. Sure the Lee Enfield holds more ammunition but it's stripper clips are finicky to use fast. The K98 loads like butter and it's controls are more simple. I really like the safety and it feels lighter.

[@Chiller11]

The larger magazine capacity of the Lee Enfield is only an advantage for the first 10 rounds as each weapon is reloaded using 5 round charger clips. If issued a full caliber rifle I would have preferred a Garand for certain. If it had to be bolt action I might choose the Swedish M 1893 carbine in 6.5mm Swede. It is a Mauser shooting a more pleasant round than the 8 mm German bullet.

[@speedyspooley]

@@Chiller11 - I've owned a Garand, Mauser, and a Swiss Schmidt-Rubin in 6.5. Never shot an SMLE. Of the ones I've owned/shot...The Swiss would be my choice. (The K31 if I could choose any variant). It's just an absolutely pleasant rifle to shoot. I'm not a small person (5'11", 175 lbs) but the others kick like a mule...the Mauser being the worst offender. The Garand wasn't much "better" in terms of recoil.

[@woodsmanforlife1677]

@GarrisonNichols: I agree. I own both and used them on three continents. The K98 beats out even today's bolt action rifles.

[@copperlemon1]

@@speedyspooley Do you mean 7.5 for the Schmidt-Rubin?

[@speedyspooley]

@@copperlemon1 - Proably...it's been a while. Appreciate the correction.

[@zillsburyy1]

P08 passed the mud test

[@pagancrew]

More terrible weapons puns please, complete with Jonathan's reactions. Great and informative video, thanks Luke & History Hit!

[@justandy333]

Good to see Johnathon loves a good dad joke 😂

[@managementconsulting5505]

Will you enlarge the sample of German WW2 firearms in your testing? Would love to see you test the FG42 for example, designed for paratroopers. Also, would be interesting to see the ERMA EMP, a first generation SMG, though production ended in 1938.

[@infledermaus]

I really like these videos. Getting to see these iconic weapons from WWII is a dream.

[@RichelieuUnlimited]

In terms of firepower German squads most of the time had the advantage due to their machine guns, which was their primary means of putting lead downrange, so the fact that the rest of the squad was ‚only‘ armed with a repeating rifle doesn’t matter quite that much, as their primary job was supplying the MG with ammunition.

[@micemb2570]

I have to agree with Luke, I fired the Lee Enfield and the K98 together and found the K98 had quite a lot more kick but both were great fun too shoot. Love the video, always fascinating to watch

[@jabonorte]

Lugers and STG44 are more clickbaity than more common weapons. Disappointing that P38 is mentioned but not shown, when it outnumbered the Luger, and Gewehr 43 would have been nice for comparison

[@leesaunders1930]

Man I'm so ready for this.

[@michaeltelson9798]

My father had a Wehrmacht issued Walther P38. It did have the eagle stamp on it.

[@vinnybag-o-donuts4362]

Did anyone else see Jonathans awesome calculator watch??? ❤ you my friend are amazing! Keep up the great work

[@aviatorengineer3491]

It really is incredible how much the STG established the baseline for the next near century or so of firearms design.

[@denialdesign]

Great vid, always interesting to see these things actually fired. BTW you misspelled "manUfacturer".

[@thelastminuteman7513]

So glad I got to see Jonathan Ferguson, the Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum in the UK, which houses a collection of thousands of iconic weapons from throughout history, actually fire some guns this time.

[@RockGuitarist1]

I scooped up a 1943 P38 at a gun show for $700 years ago and I just couldn't help putting a few rounds through it. Pretty heavy compared to modern handguns but the handling is so nice. They made some awesome weapons.

[@spinnetti]

I got to fire some of these. The luger and the Kar really have some kick! What amazed me was how easy the mp40 was to fire.

[@noisyboy87]

Please follow this series up with a Red Army, Italian and Japanese comparison please 🙏

[@mabbrey]

great vid

[@pod9538]

Enjoyed that 👌

[@callofdutyfreak10123]

The stg44 is heavy as hell. Rip to anyone who had to carry that thing for days on end

[@ferrma81]

I remember; an old work colleague once told me that he used to have a P08. (It must have been in the 70s) At the time he was working as a foreman in an industrial company on the night shift. There was not much going on during the night shift and only a small workforce. He then went into the warehouse with a phone book and thought to himself, I'll try it out secretly. What he didn't know was that the P08 shot very low. He noticed it when the light suddenly went out after the first shot. Unfortunately he had put the phone book on a main power cable for the warehouse. Explain that to your boss

[@NKKBerlin]

My father was in the Bundeswehr from 1958 to 1966. At least in the late 1950s up until the Cuban Missile Crisis, the MP40 was used by some guards. A semi-automatic version of the MP40 was used by the police and the German Federal Border Guard at least until the early 1970s. For example, by the police forces during the attack at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

[@TimothyDevinney]

I had one of the Mausers that I used as a hunting rifle when I was a teenager. it was a real conversation piece. But was limited w/o a scope.

[@brendanmatelan2129]

Definitely need a video of British Weapons of WW2. Feel like they often get looked at less, but they played a significant role in the War.

[@cyberleaderandy1]

Johnathan is such a lucky bugger 😊

[@Crytica.]

Not just lucky, it's also years and years of studying and reading/keeping up with the latest news.

[@provinsky]

I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen Jonathan firing a firearm, I feel too many emotions right now to articulate

[@micemb2570]

The best game I've played that shows how good the MP40 is would be post scriptum or now known as squad 44. It's so accurate, great rate of fire and easy to maintain point of aim. Love it

[@ashemedai]

10:35 That last Luger round jumping up ... and bouncing on his head...

[@CharlieFoxtrot128]

It’s very common for the Luger to eject hot brass right into your hair or down your shirt.

[@octaviolove]

Germans sure knows how to build quality stuff

[@xxkamehouse]

That STG is beautiful 😍

[@williamcattr267]

3:39 Yes, the 08 luger would have been in use by officers, NCOs, and machine gun crews. However, there were FAR more pistol varieties in use by Germany's armed forces during WW2. Think of the P-38, Walther PP and PPK pistols, Vis 35 Radom (and yes, even the Hi-Power, or Pistole 640(b)) to just name a few.

[@beneckendorff9256]

God I wish I could get a Borchardt C-93 pistol irl. Those things look so elegant and beautiful.

[@MeanBeanComedy]

I'd watch a movie of Jonathan trapped in the Armoury during a Zombie Apocalypse.

[@MrSloika]

'Spoiled for choice.' That's what Germany's problem was. No real standardized designs, too many chefs with too many fingers in the pie. The Russians picked a few designs and stuck with them. Like Stalin said, 'Quantity has a quality of its own.'

[@copperlemon1]

The Soviets were innovating and experimenting throughout the course of the war in arms and armaments, and switched production a few times. A few examples would be the PM> DS>SG machine guns, the PPD>PPSh>PPS SMGs, the USV>ZiS-3 field guns, and the M-10>D-1 howitzers. That they successfully managed switching production as many times as they did was remarkable. In the German case, production in the Reich proper was fairly unified and most of the major changes were in the direction of increased efficiency. In other territories, the decision to continue production of foreign arms caused problems, but the costs and time associated with retooling had to be weighed against the immediate, constant need for more guns. A handful of vz. 33 or wz. 29 on hand meant that troops in the rear and allied forces could be adequately equipped, freeing up standard rifles for the front.

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

YAY! Fonathan Jerguson knows his stuff!

[@user-gm5tp7kt5e]

The semi automatic versus bolt action is very interesting, my understanding was the riflemen in a German squad were primarily there to defend the MG team.

[@simonsimons9320]

If you call the StG 44 too late, you should add the FG42 in your comparison. There was a fully automatic AR in service!

[@kurtschlesinger8257]

i ask the german paras about fg42 they said they never seen one

[@user-tn1vc1xz5d]

Jonathan = legend 😊😊 Best job ever Keeper of the real crown jewels 😂😂

[@robertwalker7454]

I'm just surprised that The Walther P38, isn't in this.

[@AudieHolland]

Some more explanation why sheet metal was better to use in the manufacturing process of small arms would be nice for newcomers. Before they started using stamped sheet metal, rifles and submachine guns were made out of a solid block of steel that would be milled ('carved') into shape. The downside of using the old milling process: more waste of scarce resources, guns being much heavier. When using stamped sheet metal, waste was reduced very much and the resulting firearm was much lighter.

[@quentinmichel7581]

StG-44 & MP-40: "Let's take it to the range..." While standing IN THE. RANGE. 😂

[@jonno209]

Jonathan is living his best life here.

[@terpman]

Emotional Support STG44! Love the video! Jonathan presents such interesting information!

[@x201t]

Impressive video! Greetings from Germany 🙋🏻‍♂️

[@HrLBolle]

With the Luger I think it should have been mentioned that there was a dedicated Artillery variant, recognizable by its long barrel, detachable shoulder stock and drum magazine, that could be considered as a thought predecessor to the Bergmann & Schmeisser MP18, which in itself is a predecessor to the MP 38/40.

[@gehtdichnixan3200]

what i think of the 08 is its real easy intuitive aiming with it the grip is made in a way that it points exactly where you would point with your index finger with a stretched hand the ankle of the grip is much better than other pistols (haha wrote it and jonathan tells it 2 minutes later)

[@patgray5402]

I own 1911s and a Luger. I love American firearms but I must say I prefer the Luger over the 1911A1 configuration

[@grumblesa10]

One of the more famous users of the C96 was Lt Winston Churchill in the Boer War. The felt recoil would be a little stronger than with the M1. The Germans encountered the SVT semi-auto when they invaded the USSR. That was in production and intended to replace the Mosin-Nagant. The Gewehr 41 was sort of the answer to that. The StG44 AKA the MP44, is indeed the prototype of all selective-fire/intermediate cartridge rifles. I got to shoot one in Germany many years ago, and some veterans were there as well. They had nothing but good things to say about that rifle. It's pretty accurate out to 200m and recoil is very easy to manage. There is a museum-quality semi-only reproduction SUPPOSEDLY going to up for sale in the US. But the company's been promising it for about 5 years now... The Luger is more ergonomic than its contemporaries. More by accident than design.

[@CharlieFoxtrot128]

The PSA STG won’t be museum quality. A lot of the finish looks kinda off and it’s using different magazines

[@jarvy251]

16:37 I actually have an SMLE with a missing feed lip. It's never even caused a stoppage, the shape of the action itself retains the cartriges when the magazine is in the rifle. I can't imagine denting the body of the magazine, they're quite stout.

[@markkringle9144]

Would you want to go up against a company or Battalion armed with MP44? With your M1? Plus they have MG42s? Nightmare.

[@igorbarbosa4044]

Like Jonathan Ferguson, the keeper of firearms and artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum in the UK, which houses a collection of thousands of iconic weapons from throughout history, as a German soldier in WW2, I would choose the stg 44, if I had the opportunity and ammo supply.

[@Rick2010100]

There have been stripper clips wich allowed a very quick reloading of the K98k. The sniper version has also been mostly the K98 and not the K98k, the k stands for kurz wich means short. The sniper mainly used the K98 with a longer barrel for more accurency.

[@CharlieFoxtrot128]

There is no “K98”. Literally The first paragraph of the Wikipedia page for the K98k “sometimes incorrectly referred to as a K98, which is a polish carbine and copy of the Kar98a” the first K already means carbine. As in shorter Gewehr 98. The K98k was used as the sniper. Not a longer barreled version. The “short” version still had a long barrel, it was just shorter then the G98

[@bastiangugu4083]

There's a nice video by 9hole review on the accuracy of the Kar98k sniper rifle. He fires it at 1,100 yards (ca. 1 km).

[@brealistic3542]

German ww2 companies were built around the light/heavy MG. The single shot rifles the regular soldier used was fine for the purpose of protecting the mgs flanks.This is why the Germans had such fine dual purpose light/Heavy mgs. Their hi rate of fire was great in offense and defense.

[@zoiders]

No they were terrible for anything but fighting in defence. Someone has to carry all that ammunition and guess what? Jerry forgot to build enough trucks.

[@peterblum613]

Exactly. Under German tactical doctrine, the awesome MG machine gun was the squad’s firepower, and squad members were there to support it. Personal firearms were not very important; members were essentially ammunition carriers and grenade throwers. American doctrine was the opposite- the squad had a relatively poor machine gun, the BAR, and each squad member had an excellent personal rifle. Historians seem to believe that German doctrine was more effective.

[@juanzulu1318]

​@@peterblum613yes, this was their doctrine. But this is no argument for not inventing and distributing automatic rifles.

[@genegarren833]

Also the Germans used PPSH-41s, ITALIAN SMGS, etc. Photos show German soldiers carrying PPSH-41s in addition to their K98Ks. At Arnheim many used captured STENs.

[@CharlieFoxtrot128]

The Germans had a variant of the PPSh converted to 9mm

[@jmp.t28b99]

At 28:12 Please tell me that LUKE is not pointing that STG44 at Jonathan's face. I hope that it is an optical illusion caused by camera angle ! Otherwise, good review of these fine German weapons.

[@MattMurphyMusicTeacher]

agreed

[@sailorhms]

I kinda cringed at that bit as well.

[@CharlieFoxtrot128]

I think it’s just the camera angle. Looks like it’s just over Jonathon’s shoulder and a little bit past his head

[@mcdon2401]

I remember getting a chance to shoot a Luger many years ago, before the law changed in the UK. It's a very nice pistol.

[@panthermartin7784]

The recoil on the 8mm seemed very mild? From my experience, you definitely know when you touch off a full power 8mm round.

[@chapiit08]

For anyone interested in the topic of the German soldier, training, manual of arms, etc. the book Jackboot: The Story of The German Soldier by John Laffin is a must read.

[@jonathancathey2334]

I owned a P-08 Luger 9mm pistol for years. Built in 1940. An absolute great pistol for its time. Unfortunately my car broke down, and I needed money for the repairs. So I sold it.

[@futuristicgaming5376]

NEIN NEIN das panzerwagen can never breakdown Soldat

[@consciouscaveman6418]

I'm sorry for your loss my man

[@jonathancathey2334]

@@consciouscaveman6418 I also owned a International Harvester M1 Garand rifle. The rifle was Korean War vintage. Less than 15,000 rifles were made by International Harvester, and most of those rifles. Ended up in the hands of our allies. Like Turkey. Yet again I needed money, so I sold the rifle.

[@consciouscaveman6418]

@@jonathancathey2334 Better to of love and lost. Heartbreaking but needs must. Where do you live lad? I live in Ireland so we can only legally own .22 rifles or shotguns but the laws are very strict.

[@jonathancathey2334]

@@consciouscaveman6418 I live in central Minnesota. Hunting for game as large as moose is common up north. Minnesota also has hunting season for black bears, duck, geese, and the most popular deer. In Minnesota you can hunt with bow and arrow, black powder firearms, pistol, shotguns, and rifles. Plus if you are interested, lots of fresh water fishing. Walleye fish is the absolute best in the area. Yes people do ice fishing.( Where people go out onto a frozen lake. Bore a hole in the ice, and use ice fishing rod to fish. Yes lots of people make or buy a ice fishing house. A small shack you use while ice fishing. Keeps you out of the cold and wind. Plus then you also have a place to store your beer/alcohol.)

[@DB-yj3qc]

Oh, I can just see how much fanglling you had to do to get Jonathan to demonstrate all of the WW2 Germany small arms to you. 😊 I bet that took a lot of effort, on a serious side it's good that you could.

[@robbierobt]

The MP40 is of such beautiful build quality and yet it is considered to be a simplified version...

[@hairydogstail]

The STG44 (MP44) was the first place Eugene Stoner and Jim Sullivan first saw constant recoil..That is why it is so controllable on full auto....

[@indigohammer5732]

And the fact that it weighs a ton.

[@hairydogstail]

@@indigohammer5732 The fact it used constant recoil, which means the carrier never makes contact with the back of the receiver but is always under spring tension with out bottoming out.. Read a book lol..

[@michaelwarenycia7588]

​@@hairydogstailso that's what constant recoil means. Learned something!

[@indigohammer5732]

Fascinating. It still weighs a ton stankwain.

[@hairydogstail]

@@indigohammer5732 So does the milled AK and it is not very controllable..Constant recoil..

[@jim99west46]

Switzerland. When they adapted the Sig P210 the target competitors there claimed the Luger was more accurate.

[@cesar_145]

You guys forgat the PPk, the machine gun designs for the green devils, and a few more.

[@CharlieFoxtrot128]

They’re obviously not doing every single gun. They’re clearly going country by country with a baseline. Pistol, rifles, submachine guns

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

Are you playing the 'Drums of Liberation' over the test firing?

[@dave_724]

The P38 took over from the Luger later in the war and the P35 browning hi power also saw some use with German paras and SS

[@chris.3711]

P-38 took over in 1938, by that point, the Luger was fazed out and replaced by about 12 different pistols.

[@zoiders]

​@@chris.3711No. Lugers remained in production until 1944.

[@pilates68]

This is a really great idea for a series. I assume that British small arms are soon to be released. I certainly hope this series continues with Russian and Japanese small arms. And please don’t skip Italy!!

[@Chiller11]

Should maybe have added a P38 as the more modern evolution of the 9mm service pistol.

[@ABCKorpi]

Two little fun facts about the Luger: Switzerland was actually the first country to accept it into service in 1900. And it is funny how you describe it as bending kind of like a knee because in german it is called a "Kniehebel" literally: knee lever.

[@joshb8233]

Firing the stg44, he didn't compensate for the sight over bore. The grouping was very good though.

[@robbierobt]

The K98 is in use until today but only at the Wachbataillon, the representative branch of the Army and they seem to be deactivated.

[@nickgraff9413]

After a bit of research, I was able to figure out my own Kar98k was originally a Kriegsmodell manufactured in 1944 at Bystrica, right around the time of the Slovak National Uprising. It is in rough shape, and as it has parts from at least two other rifles in its current construction, I can only assume it was either a Russian capture, or it was reassembled as it is now by the postwar Czech government.

[@CharlieFoxtrot128]

Is the bolt bot matching to the rifle? That’s pretty common as when the Germans surrendered they’d take the bolts off their rifles and they’d get separated

[@nickgraff9413]

@@CharlieFoxtrot128 The bolt and breech block match, the barrel is from the same factory, but different serial number, while the buttplate on the stock came from Waffenwerke Bruenn in Brno, either as a replacement or it was available during production.

[@stevemc6010]

Rare instance of Jon taking the jacket off :O

[@lukasbeck4421]

I knew something was off, but I couldn't tell what it is😂

[@davidmoore1102]

I'd love to work there

[@phazonlord0098]

The Luger LP08 for WWII is a bit of a stretch though. It was mostly used only in the beginning of the war by SS officers until P38 production was in full steam. Taking the war as a whole there were way more P38 and PP/PPKs than the Luger.

[@darkhorse3535]

2:38 the Luger was originally not called the P08, it was only called that when it was adopted by the Reichswehr Heer in 1908. It was originally released for sale in 1898.

[@454FatJack]

Reichswehr is post WW democratic Germany. Imperial Germany and it’s kingdom’s Universal Army pistol 1908, navy 1904, longer barrel and 100-200m back sight.❤

[@454FatJack]

Swiss etc other countries orig mod’s ; m/20 7,65mm is 🇫🇮Army model m/23🤓

[@darkhorse3535]

@@454FatJack yep, glad to see another fan of Lugers

[@mrDredd1966]

Would have loved to see a Gewehr 43 displayed , explained, and fired..

[@sirfrancis9619]

I need to correct you here......In WW2 the Brits were using the Lee Enfield No4 which did have a peep sight not the open style sights of the No3 of WW1 fame or indeed K98. The peep sight which is placed behind the breech is regarded as the more accurate and superior of the two.

[@terenceminto4650]

Having fired the STG-44 the only problem it has it get very hot to hold unless you have gloves on.

[@AudieHolland]

I do hope they make an episode where they fire Japanese WW2 era weapons.

[@iobey]

When are we going to see the self-priming Potsdam Musket in action?

[@MarkARhodie]

I like the rate of fire from WW2 full auto guns, probably because I grew up watching war films in the 70s as a kid.