wz.88 Tantal: Poland's Alternative to the AK-74

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As part of the Warsaw Pact, Poland anticipated adopting the AK-74 after it was developed by the Soviet Union. However, the eventual Soviet terms for license fees and export restrictions were too severe for Polish taste. Instead, Poland opted to develop its own new rifle to use the 5.45x39mm cartridge. This would essentially be a 5.45mm version of the AKM. That sounds like an AK-74, but the 74 actually involved a significant number of changes to parts which the Poles though could be leave identical tot he AKM (like the rear trunnion, for instance). The Poles also wanted to separate the selector lever into two separate controls, with a safety lever on the right and a selector lever (including a 3-round burst option) on the left side.
This new project, codenamed Tantal, was adopted as the wz.88 just before the collapse of the Soviet Union. Production ran for only a couple years, with a total production of 30-50 thousand rifles. Once it became clear that Poland had a path to join NATO, the Tantal was dropped in anticipation of a new rifle in 5.56x45mm NATO. For much more information on the Tantal, see Leszek Erenfeicht's extensive article at ForgottenWeapons.com:
www.forgottenweapons.com/rifl...
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[@lordDenis16]

For the non polish people: C = Ciągły (auto) P = Powtarzalny (semi) S = Serie (burst)

[@milosnik747]

or P as "pojedynczy" (single), but im not sure

[@Bialy_1]

C = Ciągły ( continuous ) P = Pojedynczy ( single ) S = Seria ( series / burst )

[@lordDenis16]

Ups, mój błąd. Thanks for the correction!

[@KlaustheViking]

Tak

[@stefanmolnapor910]

What is "Z" for? Thank you for translation

[@awg777moneymaker8]

Beryl and Tantal are not short versions of the elements' names, they are the polish name for the elements.

[@PSS_VENOM666]

I always thought that Tantal is from mythology, son of Zeus, good to know :)

[@jic1]

@@PSS_VENOM666 It is, that's who they named the element after.

[@erikawhelan4673]

And Beryl and Tantal are clippings of the Latin words Beryllium and Tantalum.

[@HrothgarHeavenlight]

@@erikawhelan4673 in Polish Berylium is Beryl and Tantalum is Tantal. Like Iron is Żelazo.

[@doommaker4000]

@@HrothgarHeavenlight And Oxygen is Tlen :)

[@jakubfabisiak9810]

"Poland was unhappy with the license cost and export restrictions for the technology transfer" There's an old joke about the RWPG (mutual economic aid committee): "we give them coal, and in return, they take meat from us"

[@weeges23]

A soviet union sent a gift to Poland 1M pair of shoes.... . To repair them

[@jakubfabisiak9810]

@@weeges23 no, no, no, you got it all wrong. They send 1M shoes, and after repairs, get 1M pairs of shoes back.

[@metamorphicorder]

This is probably the best comment section ive seen in a while.

[@KoRbA2310]

They said, when Soviets came they stole everything that wasn't bolted to the ground. Later they came back with tools and took the rest.

[@kavky]

Similar joke with Sov-Roms

[@bebop_557]

You can identify these rifles by their uncircumcised muzzle brake and fancy wire stock.

[@nicolobartolotta]

Much appreciated Dugan Ashley

[@sicsemperbriannis8095]

I miss Dugan so much, his content was top tier

[@snikrepak]

That stock is a giveaway.

[@Cblla]

LOOK AT THE STOCK ACTION BABY

[@jonnycarcano]

Stock action!

[@VValkyr]

I am still surprised Ian didn't take a look at Beryl through all these years, its history and how it works. Quite a unique spin on AK, especially considering its among the first (if I recall) chambered in 5.56, and successful at that

[@jic1]

It may simply be that, as he was saying about this rifle, he may have had trouble getting his hands on a factory-correct example.

[@VValkyr]

@Canon Waters Ah, fair enough. That's why I wrote "one of firsts successful ones", because I couldn't call for certain if it was

[@pekkamakela2566]

@Canon Waters or maybe some commercial Valmet variant from Finland.

[@lukas1392]

Well he did Tantal so next step must be Beryl and Grot

[@user-p6-3561]

How would the AK-101 compare to other 5.56 AKs mentioned in this thread?

[@HalIOfFamer]

Tantal and Beryl is how you pronounce the elements in polish so its not a shortcut.

[@davidca96]

I remember when Tantal's were $400 and everywhere, makes me mad at myself that I didnt get one at that time.

[@stefanmolnapor910]

I'm mad at you for not buying one also😡

[@matthaft2048]

I know those feels ☹️

[@coyotearmory]

And 300 dollar saigas

[@davidca96]

@@stefanmolnapor910 lel

[@konradjurgiewicz3598]

In Poland you can get this between 600 and 800 dollars. Gonna probably get one as soon as I save up some money. But it's getting more expensive as not so many were manufactured.

[@josiahricafrente585]

Ian: “There has been massive political change in the world.” Me: “Ah, yes. That one time Kazakhstan became the leader, and sole remaining member, of the Soviet Union!”

[@muhammadnursyahmi9440]

Funny how Russia is the 3rd country to exit Soviet Union.

[@matzeselloggs2392]

@@muhammadnursyahmi9440 When you leave your own Party and suddenly Kazakhstan ist the Party Host :D

[@d.b.1176]

A win’s a win.

[@MrGrimsmith]

Definitely a well thought out approach to the burst mechanism, having it reset when the trigger does is such a simple choice to make but genius.

[@SK9L9T9R]

"11" means Fabryka Broni "Łucznik", Works 11 is an other company (they're using 11 in an oval).

[@CssHDmonster]

aw shame, was hoping to sneak into radom and steal a tantal

[@puszkowniczy]

@@CssHDmonster no need to. Currently Tantals are being released from military reserves and you can get one for ~750usd ... in PL of course :)

[@G-Mastah-Fash]

@@puszkowniczy Do they sell them in those dodgy markets at the border?

[@grumpystranger6377]

To be fair, Works 11 uses the old Radom Metal Works proof mark as their logo (11 in an oval). That's not exactly not confusing.

[@hobolecho8507]

Jako prawdziwi Polacy musimy chwalić się znajomością swojego języka

[@plasot]

OK watching this one. I was using Tantal in 1999-2000 while serving in Polish Army

[@plasot]

I believe my Tantal had different stock (need to look at photos, edit - checked and stock is the same) and folded stock was in fact preventing usage. Also locking mechanism was very hard to use as it was quickly jammed with dirt and in some conditions you have been forced to leverage it to unfold stock. Also we had bipod at inventory. Magazines were full steel.

[@Calvin_Coolage]

This thing served the Polish military a long time then.

[@dominicvucic8654]

@@Calvin_Coolage militaris tend to keep weapons for a while the us still has large numbers of A1 and A2 M16s in stocks even though the A3 and M4 are newer

[@KlaustheViking]

@@dominicvucic8654 Yep. My reserve unit still used A2s and we are just now getting those replaced with M4s.

[@plasot]

@@Calvin_Coolage It will nvere stop amusing how many types of tech we had there, some guys were issued with Tantals (like myself), some with AKMSs, some with AKs with wooden stock. From genuinely Polish guns we had Glauberyt (PM-84, replacement of PM-63 RAK, hopefully Ian will cover first one too), grenade launcher PALLAD and there were rumorus that we will soon have Beryls, 5.56 heavily modified variant of Tantal (hoping to see that too, Ian)

[@thedarkfalafel9323]

4:02 it’s not shorten, tantalum in Polish is just tantal, same goes with beryllium

[@x39aesthetics]

It's also pronounced barrel, not buh-reel

[@Hunne2303]

same in german...plain and simple "Tantal"... :p

[@Bro-tr2xq]

I had one and sold it for 4000 USD in 2014, the only ak with burst select fire, really well built

[@shellz5567]

Damn,why did you let it go so cheap?

[@stefanmolnapor910]

@@shellz5567 maybe dealer sample?

[@ryzykoman]

in Poland u can buy one for a 600 $ now

[@sebastianriemer1777]

Legal or as a kit part like in Czechia? Just asking for a friend. Greetings from Germany.

[@vitis65]

The Romanian AIMS-74 also had 3 round burst capability.

[@thespecialbru]

A totally tantalizing design, I must say

[@bombsawaylemay770]

😆

[@mrnobody6447]

I kind of wish I had bought the one I could of which came with two 35 round mags, but I turned it down a decade ago because 5.45 was harder to find.

[@eljefeamericano4308]

Man, I don't know if I should reward your pun, but... okay. Have a like.

[@BennyRegazzoni]

CARLOS!!

[@revannihilus341]

Badda bum tssss

[@JanMajeran]

There is also short version called “Onyks”

[@AururaTinn7930]

I spoke to my friend, who's a great expert on AK's and he said that, second trial of this rife was coplited in october 1988. with only 500 Tantals produced in this year, after the trial, military ordered batch of 1000 maybe 1500, to be complited and delivered, where first sample must be delivered in january 1989. Then those fresh new tantals were given to paratroopers and other special forces. In 1990 Radom produced another batch of 2000 or 2500 rifels, but real serial production started in 1991. Also you forgott to mention a Polish Krink, the wz 89 ,,Onyks'' with is a shortened wersion of the Tantal, produced only in batch of 200 rifles.

[@SteinerArts]

Kind of very off-topic, but when my father was in the Polish People's Army in 1981, he was armed with a Soviet PPSh-41 (or PPS). 🙈

[@user-kz3rc1hx7e]

Unbelievable! What unit he was assigned to?

[@SteinerArts]

@@user-kz3rc1hx7e I don't recall the exact unit, but he was just with the regular infantry. He'd tell me how in the city of Torun he was on guard duty, there would also be Soviet soldiers stationed, but at a ratio of 5:1 in regards to the Polish People's Army. (5 Soviet soldiers per Polish soldier, let that sink in for a moment Don't know if all this is true haha) Those were the times. 🤠

[@SteinerArts]

@Random Pickle He said it was very easy to use and felt very heavy on your back when you're out on guard duty for a couple of hours in some of the coldest nights of winter. 😜 By the way, he and the others were only given stick magazines for reliability reasons.

[@user-kz3rc1hx7e]

@@SteinerArts This is not only because of stability. Loading a drum mag takes a lot more time, because it requires to open front panel and "charge" up the spiral spring before. Soviet forces were facing this problem during half of war until stick mags came up into service. Second problem was interchangeability of drum mags, or to say it more correctly, the lack of it. Drum mags from one PPSh-41 mignt not fit another one.

[@SteinerArts]

@@user-kz3rc1hx7eDrum mags not fitting rifles universally? What an absolute horrible thought if you come to think of it. No wonder you'd see stuff like the RPKS used instead with their huge magazines like in the Soviet-Afghan War. (I know that the RPKS is not an MP 🙈😉🤠)

[@onelittlenothing7756]

+25% damage against foreigners when resistance mode is active.

[@Mephistopheles9]

Simple hungarian here, I see a video about Polish stuff, I press like.

[@larkylark8022]

Simple Pole here, see Hungarian comment, I press like 🇭🇺👍

[@avtaga]

@@larkylark8022 Simple Pole here. I see Polish comment liking Hungarian comment liking Polish stuff, I press like. On both comments 😉

[@jesusdontlikethatimgaybuts9493]

🏳️‍🌈

[@bigboi4269]

T h e c o m m o n w e a l t h l i v e s o n

[@bigboi4269]

@@jesusdontlikethatimgaybuts9493 silence, communist

[@adudefrompoland579]

i shot it and the stock is actually really nice for shooting with earmuffs

[@emkaes7625]

This thing seems to be more famous around the world than in Poland.

[@Brian-ot5xp]

Like all european service weapons (hk 36, g3, lee enfield , c7/c8(nld or other versions) the grass is always greener across the street

[@Xivaxblades]

@@Brian-ot5xp also shit weapon laws

[@arturniedzwiecki2024]

Couse we cant kurwa have them😭

[@MicJej]

@@arturniedzwiecki2024 Eh, ya can if ya try. Neutered to semi-auto only, naturally, but they're absolutely feasible to own on a collector's license. Hell, I have a friend who somehow finangled one on a sports license. Of course, actually FINDING one that's for sale is next to impossible, mostly due to any and all available examples being immediately snapped up by western collectors who, generally, find it easier to pay for em than us poors. Also, I've had the pleasure of firing the Tantal, the Beryl, and the Brand Spankin' New™ MSBS-5,56, the latter one back when it was still in its developmental stage. It's fitting how this series of weapons perfectly illustrates Poland's general downward trend over the past few decades. From one of the best AK variants out there, through a meh kind of in-between weapon, to a recycled plastic bottle that creaks when you hold it and occasionally - assuming you haven't looked at it funny in the past few days - cycles the bolt.

[@Massakre8492nd]

@@MicJej perfectly said

[@kalash13x]

Kalashnikov- "Everything that is Simple is Holy" A Polish Engineer- "Hold my Pentagram"

[@adammarcinow1399]

I'm simple Polish guy, I see Ian make a video about Polish gun I click

[@andrzejwitowiak1353]

So this is a polish(ed) AK instead of finnish(ed) one? :D

[@dashingdave2665]

Czech out the VZ 58 too

[@rafalemiec8683]

my teeth hurt from how dad this joke is

[@eljefeamericano4308]

Can't wait to see the three-round burst in action! I've used these in their civilian forms, and as semi-auto guns they're certainly controllable. Was very cool to see the proper internals! Thanks, Ian!

[@kamiskub7409]

Yay another polish gun at Forgotten Weapons.

[@kubajackiewicz2]

Siema

[@WorasLT]

@@kubajackiewicz2 Polaks still use siema? seems .... 2010s noobish.

[@kubajackiewicz2]

@@WorasLT it is now neoironic to use siema

[@towarzyszmarcin474]

@@kubajackiewicz2 siemanejro ziomi... Ziomix... Ziom... Ziomiksy.

[@bakerking5351]

You guys don’t get nearly enough credit for your firearms design. I still think the wz 38 is a really sleek rifle and it’s a shame there aren’t more of them out there

[@poloziki9990]

Buuuut "Works 11" is NOT "Fabryka Broni". They are completly different entities.

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

Do their products go to 11?

[@Tunkkis]

@@Taistelukalkkuna Only after the introduction of market economy. The centrally planned economy did not see the need for such awesomeness.

[@9mmpeter255]

Shut your mouth and cram it full of meat

[@Jontownia]

Here's a cheat sheet: 1927-1939: Fabryka Broni w Radomiu 1939-1944: Steyr-Daimler-Puch Waffenfabrik in Radom 1948-1951: Zjednoczone Zakłady Wyrobów Metalowych. Zakład Nr 1 w Radomiu (United Ironworks. Factory number 1 in Radom) 1951-1990: Zakłady Metalowe im. gen. "Waltera" w Radomiu (general "Walter" Ironworks in Radom) 1990-2000: Zakłady Metalowe "Łucznik" w Radomiu (Ironworks "Łucznik" ["Archer"] in Radom) 2000: Controlled bankruptcy 2000-present: Fabryka Broni "Łucznik" Radom (Weapons Factory "Łucznik" Radom)

[@janmaniawski8163]

I am a simple Pole, I see a video with polish weapon, I leave like

[@9mmpeter255]

A simple poll smoker

[@janmaniawski8163]

@@9mmpeter255 Listen here, you lil shiet

[@keithweiss7899]

I purchased a parts kit many years ago. I used to teach machine shop and I can say the quality of the parts are outstanding! Better than any other AK rifle I have seen. Mine came with the bayonet, but no radioactive sight. Thanks Ian!

[@Crimerenegade]

One more thing about rifle grenades for wz. 88 Tantal. Contrary to most of the grenades used with rifles worldwide, you don't need to use blank cartridge to to lunch them safely. They are using so called "bullet trap" that will capture the bullet. It is safe to use standard issue FMJ ammo with them. The family consists of: GNPO - HEAP - anti armor and fragmentation, 240 meters range, approx 80-100mm RHA penetration, weight 410 grams NGD - Smoke approx 200 meters range, size of smoke cover is 20 meters wide and 3 meters tall, duration of smoking approx 50 seconds, weight 455 grams NGZ - Incendiary based on ferric oxide approx 200 meters range duration of combustion 30 seconds, weight 456 grams NGOS - Illumination based on sodium nitrate and magnesium powde Range approx 150 meters, intensity approx 50k lumens durration 20 seconds, wieght 466 grams All above types can be used with 5,45x39 and also with 5,56x45. They are in current usage with wz. 96 Beryl and as far as i know new MSBS GROT can also use them

[@jordanwalsh1691]

There's something humorous in Poland not wanting to be part of the *Warsaw* pact. It's like France not signing onto the Paris Agreement.

[@Jarzyn44]

Not long ago Turkey withdrawed from Instambul Convection.

[@GazalAlShaqab]

Thanks a LOT Ian! After You showed us the ViS, the Maroszek’s wz. 38, the wz. 63, we are waiting for the wz. 35 (Ur.) and the MSBS (as it was said many times in the comments already). But we all know that the wz. 35 is a RARE bird…

[@jamesallred460]

That gun looks cold war AF. Sweet piece, and another great vid from Ian!!

[@zwariowanywiktor8784]

In Poland we don't name element "Tantalum", just "Tantal". It's not shortened name.

[@therugburnz]

Fascinating. Thanx Ian & anyone that supplied information or artifacts. This is a part of history I had not understood previously. Thanx again.

[@makapaka_madafaka_]

Few hours worth of military service stories from my Grandpa. *HERE I COOOOOOOME*

[@bombsawaylemay770]

Poland sure knows how to make an AK

[@alexandrastanaev4399]

Too bad, Poland hadn't had rifles like AEK-971 or AK-107. These are very effective weapons.

[@perfectlynormalhuman5473]

@@alexandrastanaev4399 yea, but the AEK-971(and 972 and 973) are actually quite a chore to produce and maintain. Theres a new version of it called the A-545, but its only in 5.45x39. Also, there is an export civilian/sporting variant of the AK-107 called the SR-1, of which a couple came into poland, but they are really expensive.

[@BEZIMMIENY96]

@@alexandrastanaev4399 So effective nobody uses them.

[@alexandrastanaev4399]

@@perfectlynormalhuman5473 yeah, I know it, but I’d love AEK and AK-107 to have variations with barrels of different lengths like G36 or SIG MCX at least, for example, AK-107 with ... 9 or 11 inch long barrel or 12 inch long barrel with ability to attach grenade launchers like GP-30 or GP-34 like G36C and G36K can.

[@alexandrastanaev4399]

@@BEZIMMIENY96 I just loved Battlefield Bad Company where AEK-971 was a Russian standard assault rifle. Awesome game!

[@user-oh2kt8lf6g]

12:33 What AKM has is not a rate reducer but rather a hammer retarder whose purpose is to provide some extra hundredths of second to let the shooter hands' muscles relax so that the rifle position is better reproduced at the consecutive shots. It takes some 100ms for the AK bolt carrier to cycle back and forth. Rate reducer, or hammer retarder as it is called in Russian, increases that time by about 10%, hence reduction of rate of fire was _not_ the initial purpose of the part.

[@Jesses001]

Of all the 3 round burst systems I have seen, this is one of my favorite. It is one of the most simple of the burst counters I have seen. No need for a bunch of gears and whatnot in there. IT does not have that "memory" issue you mentioned. Also the selector being separate from the safety means I can set it for whatever default I want. Furthermore, the burst is in a different direction than full auto, so if I do not like the burst, it is easier to ignore compared to the HK fire group. All in all, I kind of love this rifle.

[@simonrook5743]

Fantastic article Ian, thanks. Sometimes the back story is more interesting than the actual weapon!

[@JoJo-vm8vk]

And you have the “French way” - safe/ semi/ burst - 3 rounds burst/ unlimited burst 😋🇫🇷

[@josephcalvosa8272]

Thanks . I really appreciate access to your engineering insight and I know I have learned so much from you in your videos. You graciously share knowledge I otherwise wouldn't encounter.

[@ulvschmidt7174]

Thank you for showing the burst mechanism i have always wondered how bursts work

[@jannegrey593]

BTW - IIRC in selector "C" stands for "Ciągły" - continuous fire. Usually we now use slightly different lettering - which makes this gun a bit "odd" feeling. Still - wonderful video and like people point out Works 11 and Fabryka Broni "Łucznik" are different things. Which makes this gun confusing. Still great video as always.

[@rstebnicki]

Thank you v.much for showing some Polish guns. Regards Rafal.

[@july1730]

One of my favorite countries he features, always thought Poland had some of the best firearm manufacturing in the USSR Edit: prewar manufacturing is very impressive too!

[@Tulbia]

SRafal

[@rstebnicki]

@@july1730 You mean Warsaw Pact?

[@july1730]

@@rstebnicki no I meant the Principality of Zeon

[@mattheefisher2104]

Your channel is an excellent source of information not only fire arm specific but fire arms in general. I enjoy your intellect.

[@brianrhee8896]

I've been waiting for an episode on the Tantal for over a year. Worth watching every second.

[@gongi10]

Regards from Poland, Ian! :)

[@Acin75]

Can't wait till you discuss Beryl and even shoot it together with Henry Chan from 9-hole-review? Greetings from Grzegorz Brzeczyszczykiewicz 😉👍

[@towarzyszmarcin474]

xD

[@Acin75]

@@towarzyszmarcin474 😂😂 tovarishtch

[@Massakre8492nd]

@@lamcalvin123 we don't use yang as a slur, seems like a mistake on op part

[@Acin75]

@@lamcalvin123 yes! Man, now i see it! Damn that autocorrect... I'll correct it.

[@Mehow59]

I really enjoyed this video, I have one of the parts kit built ones and I love it! I had my fitted with a beryl stock and furniture along with the top optics rail and topped with an Eotech. It was really cool to see this in it’s original configuration. Mine differs in that both the selector switches operate the safety (it’s semi-only) and it doesn’t have the lock for the bolt carrier spring to hold the dust cover in place (most likely from a standard ak74). Can’t wait to see the real one in action!

[@TheNextGreatApe]

One of these was my first AK kit build, way back when the kits were more complete, plentiful and cheap. Great gun.

[@M.M.83-U]

This sound very nice. I like the 3rounds burst concept.

[@JanoWTF]

It is kind of touching for me becouse my unit recently replaced Beryl (which is basically the same as Tantal) with the MSBS (you had a chance to shoot an early one at SHOT Show couple years back). Are you planning any videos on wz.89 Onyks, wz.96 Beryl or wz.96 Mini-Beryl?

[@bakerking5351]

The elemental nomenclature makes so much sense now I always wondered where they got those names

[@glennschunemann4800]

Very interesting as always. I'm impressed that you only mixed up 5.45 and 5.56 once (towards the end) ;)

[@jjforcebreaker]

Interesting history! Looking forward to seeing it perform on the range.

[@GrafySkater]

Finally! Been waiting for a video on this for ages :) this gun always makes me a little proud of being polish :D

[@WW-qp5yd]

I know nothing about guns but stumbled across your channel …yet I always find your videos fascinating re: your incredible breadth of knowledge and contextualisation.

[@Zeraphor]

I like the in-depth overview of weapons, great job.

[@kamilgruszecki6718]

As a Polish guy thanks for the video. As always very informative.

[@konradjurgiewicz3598]

Didn't even know this has such cool burst system.

[@USSEnterpriseA1701]

The article on the Tantal is actually how I found Forgotten Weapons in the first place. I was looking for info on my then newly acquired semi-auto parts kit Tantal, which is actually made from one of the 1990 2nd troop trials rifles and has a slotted head pin instead of the easy lever for removing the handguard.

[@SkorpionThunder]

i love when guns have those stocks, I know those are pretty bad for recoil control but they just look so cool

[@samobispo1527]

Ian, I can’t see the rifle with your black shirt as a background.

[@9mmpeter255]

Shut your damn meat hole

[@nunyabeeswax2575]

@@9mmpeter255 lead by example then.

[@olekzajac5948]

4:05 Not really shorted, "tantal" is just Polish for tantalum.

[@janhermanvanman9581]

Nobody asked, nobody cares.

[@rimsjobs7788]

@@janhermanvanman9581 everyone cares, I guess nobody cares about you so you make comments like that.

[@erikawhelan4673]

The Polish word is a clipping of Tantalum.

[@lillexus5589]

@@janhermanvanman9581 jij bent af Herman

[@jannerantanen5121]

@@janhermanvanman9581 you're toxic for no reason. did anyone ask for your opinion? people on this channel generally appreciate random tidbits or corrections regarding something in the video. your opinion on the other hand? not so much

[@TheRandomPolishGuy]

Slap a triangle folder on it and call it a day. I wonder now if the selector would interfere with the installation of a side rail.

[@MareImbrum]

It is worth mentioning, that there was a shortened, lightweight version of Tantal know as wz. 1989 Onyx. It was designed to be used by airborne infantry, police and military special operations units and vehicle crews but in the end, it never entered service in Land or Special Forces and only 200 of them were build basically as a pre-production batch. Out of this 200 at least some of them were used for a short time in the 90s by Warsaw Police anti-terrorist units. Also, that underbarrel grenade launcher he mentioned? It's a wz. 1974 Pallad, intended to replace the kbkg wz. 1960 grenade-launcher rifle and work with AKM at first but latter it was used with Tantal and it is still used with Beryl rifles. There is even a stand-alone version, wz. 83 Pallad-D that is just a barrel with a simple stock and AK type pistol grip. Speaking about Beryl, is that a tease that I heard at the end and you are finally planning to do a review of it? Now, I also hope, since you have made a video about PM-63, that you will take a look at its replacement: PM-84 Glauberyt.

[@mrnobody6447]

Mr McCallum, what is your opinion on semi autos of this example that were imported, I had the fortune to actually hold one once and nearly bought it but went with a ruger mini 14 because at the time it was easier to feed it when I went to shoot at targets. Honestly I kind of regret it because it was cheaper and honestly cooler. Ugh oh well I guess those now are harder to find.

[@godzilla1463]

Me: Time to go to work *Forgotten Weapons posts an AK video* Me: What's work?

[@arthuresparza2617]

Hi, one thing that I don't think was mentioned was that the front handguard retention piece originally had a flathead screw and later replaced to a lever for take down. Great rifle though. I think the top handguard is also unique to the Tantal but I could be wrong.

[@PSS_VENOM666]

I think I saw this rifles in military base in Poland like almost 10 years ago. The guards carried them, at least the stock was very close to it.

[@jurijgagarin4212]

You might be right, many of security companies (SUFO's) hired by military bases to secure premises use them to the present day

[@Sephiroth391]

As always Ian delivers quality video, i only wish he'd switch pronounciation of "wz" to "Vzoor"

[@tonyflamingo8113]

That’s what he said in the beginning of the video.

[@harriskhan6438]

He did at around 2:40

[@shannonelliott5104]

Блят

[@michaszymanski3066]

Great, finally a Tantal video :D. Any chance for shooting videos?

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Yes, tomorrow.

[@alexk3678]

So if it has no rate reducer what's the fire rate like in comparison to other aks? Is it just like 50 rpm difference or is it something like 300rpm

[@Bimbasek01]

Another great video! Thanks for posting this one!

[@travishabursky4362]

Ah yes, the internationally famous kurwa-cannon. I really want one.

[@MeshFrequency]

This gun is an embodiment of a rising Polish independence at the time of its creation. Great video as always.

[@simonbannow3905]

Ian must have gotten the maximum amount of "Kung-Flu" shots to be able to travel Europe like a bossman!

[@adriansz343]

Great video as always! A quick tip on the pronunciation: You've got the W->V sound down, but it should be pronounced Vzoor, like in boo. And the r is rolled. So the Pattern 88 becomes Wzór 88 or abbreviated to wz since that's already one too many vowels for us poles :P

[@charles_wipman]

Nice, i always thought that this were AK74 clones; didn't knew they were so different.

[@joaoie]

I was just looking at the Tantal this week and trying to discern the differences and I was never satisfied. This makes me feel nice and everything is clear. Wonderful.

[@c.j.1089]

That gun has some extremely aggressive spot welding for those guide rails.

[@danielc.7295]

Nice video and nice build-quality of the gun. Way to go, Poland.

[@daiisoujoe]

Radom makes some sexy guns. New polish rifle Grot also looks great kinda like ACR.

[@paranoiia8]

Especially bulpup version, I really dont know why people hate its look. I mean its not super cool, art like design but it just look nice and futuristic.

[@kriest5572]

Well yeah it's similar to ACT but it's definitely cheaper

[@croissant8540]

Well, Grot actually sucks ass pretty badly

[@lillexus5589]

I love my Polish MSBS

[@paranoiia8]

@@croissant8540 you talking from experience of course?

[@thedarkfalafel9323]

0:55 please make a video about Lantan, pretty fascinating and exceptionally ugly design

[@Celebmacil]

The Karabin Lantan, when an AK-47 and an M41A Pulse Rifle love each other VERY much...

[@bwhog]

Nice to see that burst mechanism. I've always been curious how that operated but never dug into it. The "memory" was an issue only on the early era M16s that had that, I thought. I seem to recall that this was deemed a problem by the military and that it was corrected relatively quickly and is no longer a characteristic of the M4/M16 system.

[@mpk5959]

My sister in law farther was the MD of the company in Radom, Poland I did see them manufacturer the AK Hunter.

[@theflyingwelshman5338]

As someone with Polish blood, I really need to get myself a Tantal.

[@Galvars]

You can buy one for around 700$

[@theflyingwelshman5338]

@@lefunnyN1 fascist coward spotted.

[@theflyingwelshman5338]

@@lefunnyN1 Wow. You come up with that yourself? Go bother someone else, edgy teen.

[@OGPatriot03]

@@theflyingwelshman5338 Just as long as we understand that the current political elite along with the entire leftist sphere of politics are actual fascists who simply call their opponents such as a form of basic misdirection then we're good. Antifa usually means fascist nowadays, but real anti-fascists still exist, they just wear red hats.

[@theflyingwelshman5338]

@@OGPatriot03 you got that backwards, pal. Fascism is a right wing ideology. The Red Hats are the new Brownshirts. The Proud Boys and Oathkeepers are traitors and insurrectionists. And in response to your profile pic: I tread where I want.

[@idontknow4427]

I love that gun body

[@Coltbreath]

Love the angled safety!

[@nickadkins7765]

I've always loved these. Really want to pick one up

[@ExUSSailor]

That look like a REALLY uncomfortable shoulder stock.

[@jurijgagarin4212]

actually, it's pretty comfortable, at least with comparsion to, for example, folded AKM (AKMS) stock. I used both tantal and akms during my service and I preferred tantal's stock (same as rifle)

[@myh106]

Cool to see another video on Polish weapons! Some language nitpicks (sorry): The "ó" wzór is pronounced more like a shorter version of the "oo" in "poor", rather than an "o" in "core" or "bore", "Tantal" is pronounced not too differently from English, it's just that both "a" are like in the word "tap" and "Beryl" has a hard "y", the "e" is pronounced like in "bet", and the stress is on the first syllable.

[@JensenBeach42O]

@Forgotten Weapons @17:44 you said "no longer a need to produce 5.56 rifles" i could be wrong but did u mean "5.45 rifles" ? love your content Ian great work as always !

[@michaelburke5481]

Very nice ! love the ratchet reset very smart!

[@eksplosiveknight8891]

beryl is not s short for beryllium, poles simply don't have the "llium" as part of the names of the elements in polish for example Fosfor instead of Phosphorous and Potas instead of Potassium

[@TheArklyte]

Poles could have been crazy good allies... IF ONLY they were treated as actual _allies._ Although this rifle might not have existed otherwise.

[@bogdanbogdanoff5164]

Same story repeats today with another alliance

[@Stevarooni]

Poles are smart not to trust alliances any farther than necessary. They've gotten thrown over so many busses they could be a road. Fortunately they're doing everything they can not to get run over. 👍

[@yikes3013]

@@Stevarooni oh we are getting ran over, just by our own government this time

[@dwi2921]

@@yikes3013 Ah yes "Law and Justice". They are going to be in power for the foreseeable future though. Poland is pretty conservative.

[@OGPatriot03]

@@dwi2921 We have to support the few conservative gems we have left in Europe, tyranny is overtaking everywhere else..

[@fonzybrookestone727]

the contrast between Ians shirt, Ak, and white background is all jacked up. cool stuff though!!

[@ilovedetails]

Beryl and Tantal are some of unicorns I would love to own.

[@unknownorganism9662]

You should really check out Grot rifle