2-Gun Action Match: WWII Snipers

This month for the 2-Gun Action Challenge Match, Karl and I square off with WWII snipers' rifles. I have a No4 MkI (T) Enfield sniper with a 3.5x No.32 scope, and Karl has a Mauser K98k with a 1.5x ZF41 designated marksman's optic. Both rifles are authentic, although both scopes are reproductions. The question is, will the ZF41 allow Karl to shoot faster, or will the greater magnification on the Enfield provide a bigger advantage?

[@mikestuart4148]

"Bloody hell!" Ian's even adding British curses to the mix!

[@MopSpadowski]

I can't believe how well you handled that rifle being left handed! Well done!

[@stephmill8547]

I agree. That awkward south paw action looks difficult.

[@shekelgoldstein]

hairy otter he’s also shooting with the left it would be like you having a lefty bolt but only using your right hand to work everything. Also right action right hand is just faster because your hand has to move less. I think a left bolt for a righty would be annoying

[@ZippoMann]

@@shekelgoldsteinbruh🤣 duhhh

[@shekelgoldstein]

@@ZippoMann 3 years ago bro shut the fuck up lmao

[@Llyd_ApDicta]

Fun fact: Leaving your gun unattended is still treated the same way in todays German army (the "Bundeswehr"). On an excersise I put mine against a tree to get water from some barrels came back and it was gone. I was handed a squared timber as a replacement. Not so much fun to carry that thing around let alone trying to shoot it...

[@jjaska]

+Llyd ApDicta Same here in Finland. Didn't misplace mine though :)

[@rossmum]

+Llyd ApDicta Yep. Had more than a few arms (bearing corporal's chevrons...) flash underneath toilet stall doors and try swipe the thing at basic training, so I never left it more than arm's reach away. I do the same thing at home now - if I have my rifles out of the safe at all, they're somewhere I can grab them in a hurry. Can't seem to kick the habit.

[@monroetoolman]

Same in the Marine Corps. You don't ever just lay it down.

[@XShifty0311X]

Brian Anderson yup, USMC rules for my company is your rifle better be no more than arms length away. Sleep with it in your sleeping bag, with your sling wrapped around an arm. If your rifle was snatched up by someone else, time to ride the pain train.

[@monroetoolman]

Gavin Mantyh Anyone who left it in attended got it "dummy corded" with 550 cord to their belt for a couple days.

[@ChrisKnowles1170]

THIS is a sport I'd watch at the Olympics. I'd even pay. Love these videos!

[@AJadedLizard]

Put each country's standard-issue rifle against each other: M16A4 vs. AK-12 416 vs. L85 Type 89 vs QBZ95 This would be cool.

[@Scrump_Can]

@@AJadedLizard NATO countries do already do annual practical shooting with their service rifles

[@bigbud6842]

There is Olympic shooting, it is a sport lol

[@Deadvalley200]

They have the biathlon which is skiing combined with shooting

[@teufeldritch]

"Bloody hell!" Even swore like a Brit. ;D

[@Hawk1966]

Ian's left handed bolt work (except when prone) was masterful.

[@boomerisadog3899]

Running that bolt while prone looks like a nightmare for a lefty.

[@calebnation6155]

You get used to it.

[@Schrodingers_kid]

You get used to it.

[@yourgrandmasalzheimerpills1143]

You get used to it.

[@elektro3000]

Another thing I noticed is that Karl looks like a lobster by the end of the video. Somebody please get this man a bucket of sunscreen and a big hat! I'm about as white as he is and I made the mistake of shooting a USPSA match in Florida without sun protection...once.

[@notwocdivad]

Ian's biggest problem and one which causes most loss of time and rythm is shooting left handed, having to reach over the gun to work the bolt means moving the rifle right off the target. He then has to re acquire the target through a scope, not easy when you are hurrying. He seems as though he is not pulling the bolt far enough back at times to properly eject the spent cartridge case, this could be a bit of wear too.

[@fragglefknrock7568]

Most of the time you will be off target when loading a round with bolt action 90% of the time.

[@lohikarhu734]

@@fragglefknrock7568 but, with the SMLE, the off-time is not very long, or very far, as you do not need to move the rifle very far during reload.

[@fragglefknrock7568]

@@lohikarhu734 that's not what im saying but thanks for your concern.

[@lohikarhu734]

@@fragglefknrock7568 indeed? Perhaps you meant "in comparison to an auto-loader"? But, certainly, trying to shoot the Lee-Enfield left-handed results in 100% target loss, compared to a Lee-Enfield-experienced RH shooter! In any case, thx 4 a "civilised" reply!

[@robinthomas4086]

an interesting idea would be to swap the weapons and redo the matches

[@24videowatcher]

Damn the action on the Enfield is so smooth. That or Ian is just that good.

[@TheGetawayGamer]

Gravitycat24 It is very smooth

[@TheHornedOne81]

If only Ian were right handed, he'd be able to use the Enfield properly. Ah well.

[@TheWolfsnack]

Yeah....I bought an SMLE Mk 5 years ago that someone had cut and re-welded the bolt handle upside down so that it was easier for a Southpaw I guess....I am right handed but left eye dominant so shoot left handed....but I hated that thing and quickly had it cut and re-re-welded correctly.

[@blatherskite9601]

You can learn. I shoot both links & rechts.

[@mangostrudel7058]

The lee enfield can't be used properly, it sucks

[@dallassukerkin6878]

@@mangostrudel7058 Hmm ... I think you will find that most of the shooting community would take issue with the veracity of that :lol:

[@arthurjarrett1604]

@Blatherskite Came to say this. It's not as simple as being right or left handed. I started on the SLR and converted to the SA80 in my time and used the SLR left-handed and the SA80 ("5.56mm Rifle" then "IW") right (no choice). I'm left eyed but the 4 x magnification on the SUSAT compensated.

[@raythompson5087]

I love this stuff!!! Just get out there and shoot guns!!!! Shooting is supposed to be fun, so make it fun. Nice videos, Forgotten Weapons. Cheers!

[@hardware199]

Being a left-hander is clearly a disadvantage when it comes to reloading a repeating rifle.

[@UHCredhead]

i work in a gun smiths in the uk and the other day had the chance to fire a 1942 dated Kar98k , such a brilliant and accurate rifle

[@bellator11]

Excellent video once again guys, and nice to see you reference 'Sniper on the Eastern Front' by Sepp Allerberger, which is an excellent book. Next step would be to take out a K98 with a real sniper scope, such as a 4x ZF39 or 6x Zielsechs as Allerberger got to use and refered to as a super weapon compared to the Russian Mosin he had been using up until he was sent to sniper training.

[@tonybuk70]

you videos are quite fascinating for us guys from non gun "loving" countries. really interesting. keep it up :)

[@brutusvonmanhammer]

Gewehr 43 vs SVT 40, or Gewehr 43 vs M1 Garand would be pretty cool. I'd probably take the Gewehr 43 in both cases, but still all really good rifles

[@anameofsomesort959]

Wheraboo... Just playin, never shot a G43 so I have no room to speak.

[@peanutbutter5402]

Be honest with ya. I would take the SVT 40 post modifications

[@Sedan57Chevy]

Another great 2-gun match. It's really great to see these old guns used in a more practical setting than just range shooting. Thanks for really giving me an idea as to what these guns are actually like.

[@davidspangler7379]

I love seeing the different guns as well as the two different shooting styles of Ian and Karl another good video guys!

[@EmberTheShark]

Man watching Ian cycling the gun lefthanded is mesmerizing

[@Mrgunsngear]

Looks like good times!

[@RKHarm24]

Good show of a couple of old war horses.

[@jamiewiley6853]

an interesting one to look up is the ww1 enfield sniper, some of which had side folding scopes, presumably for an aspect of camoflage and CQB

[@AsianRights98]

I never seen a man re-bolt a lee enfield like that! That's awesome!

[@AzazelCain]

forgotten.. you are at one hell of a disadvantage firing that bad boy lefty

[@kilppa]

What was wrong with the Mauser? Karl seemed to have a really hard time locking the bolt. Bad ammo? My yugo mauser runs smooth as butter, never have I had to slam it close like that.

[@MrConspark]

Go the Leftys! 😍, great job reloading the Enfield Left handed Ian. Karl you did good, love the K98 (I want one but being Aussie my No1 Mk3 HT will do me) Awesome video guys did well 🤩

[@WolfoftheAurora]

15:10 Interesting. I had a similar experience in Red Orchestra 2. I was so used to having only 5 rounds with the Mauser, Mosin, and Arisakas that when I took up the Lee Enfield in the Heroes of the West mod, I found myself instinctively reloading after 5 rounds despite the 10 round magazine.

[@slowhand1198]

Excellent! I enjoy seeing these tests of vintage rifles and pistols under stress. A much better evaluation than mere benching. Thanks!

[@73F100]

Hey Ian, not that I am nit picking but according to Lee Enfield purists it is not called a stripper clip but a "charger". When I acquired my Lee Enfield no.4 I joined a Lee forum so I could learn more about the rifle. Friendly fellows but they were quick to correct me.....

[@MrGunsplosion101]

I really enjoy these historic rifle comparisons. There are very unique. It is also interesting to hear the observations of modern users, perhaps the soldiers of old said the same things and had the same problems.

[@Kh4zim]

More of this plz... love to see the guns and the way they are handeled... subscription done.

[@whitespacemarines4308]

Boy, really showing how and Enfield would benefit from and extra mag or two!

[@PotatoGunsRule]

Watching this makes me want to attend some more falling plate or Mauser matches. That was a lot of fun a few years ago.

[@stephenrice4554]

That was interesting , good points about the various strengths and weaknesses of scopes . It's good when proper enthusiasts get together . Great video 👍🇬🇧

[@pommunist]

That "Bloody Hell!" sounded remarkably Australian.

[@wulfengel]

8:06 Ian cycling that bolt like a champ gives me hope as a left hander, bein' English I aint got access to many firearms, do airsoft instead. But I found a realistic shell loaded Kar98k (8mm Mauser bullets with a hole in the end for a bb to sit in, haha) as realistic as I can get without booking time off and going to Texas or Tennessee, so I'm going to buy that and see if I can try it right handed. If not then it looks ok to do left on it, for saying with either hand your off aim cycling that bolt for about the same time, Karl has his cheek off the stock for as long as Ian does racking that bolt with his right hand.

[@tbuxt3992]

The advantage of the lee enfield action is kind of nullified when you shoot left handed

[@vikkimcdonough6153]

16:55 - Good on Karl for fighting fair. 👏🤝

[@zachm705]

Wow Gun Jesus has doubled his sub base in a year. Admirable work Ian.

[@jameshagen2848]

Ian, Loved watching you work that Enfield left handed, reminded me of competitive shooting those 303 as a lefty back in the day.

[@davidholmes4088]

Really like these match type clips

[@TheTyrial86]

Yeah right. That thought process is still used today. In the marines. I can remember multiple times having to do push ups because I droped my rifle. I see when it started lol.

[@yasharrahimpour6244]

very good skill for left handed shooter with a bolt action rifle, i thought he has low chance because of right hand design blot, good job.

[@Howie262]

I really love these comparisons you guys do. It's all in good fun and in other realms would be impossible to see weapons like these go head to head. I personally know those authentic kar98's w/ dmr scopes can cost up where the lines of 7k or more for only a decent one. So once again thank you for these videos.

[@Dagstyrr]

K98 was the first rifle I ever shot. Love affair ever since...don't own one right now though, but whenever I get my hands on one I have a great time.

[@CurlyQLink]

You guys have too much fun. What a great job! ;-)

[@Alan-bw2zg]

Ian, leave the bolt open and stuff in a few loose cartridges as you move stations.

[@durham151]

Thanks for the reply,my contribution to the new kit is being very well spent, I look forward to more slow mo stuff, as a life long gun "nut" I find it fascinating along with the Rock Island stuff. Keep it coming, thanks again.

[@VFRSTREETFIGHTER]

The curse of the left handed sniper!

[@MrThomass281]

Those 2 gun matches look like fun.

[@DerMetzgerFrank]

What a nice shot the enfield has, its awesome!

[@simonsmith9363]

My dad used the Lee Enfield when he was in the Royal Marines and he was issued three magazines and told me that it was normal to have the three, but no more.

[@darkogaurina4778]

Whe did he serve?

[@2AGuysAndGear]

Looks like a fun match!

[@nicholaspatton5590]

I felt like my chakras had aligned when Karl said "Fuck where is it?"

[@nicholaspatton5590]

6:07

[@WhatIsYourMalfunction]

I love watching these matches. I wish there was something like it in my area.

[@janusx66]

Dude, very nice again! I'm a huge fan of Forgotten Weapons, it's a shame that we can't have them here in the Netherlands. So with foam on my mouth i watch your great movies! Go on with this really nice work :)

[@JesusvonNazaret]

very nice match again, especially the parts, where you cut Karls and your footage in parallel were nice to watch

[@rifleman17hmrshooter]

You are FAST on that Enfield bolt!

[@scottkelly5513]

Brilliant lefthand shooting!

[@godinnlives1591]

I used to try to NOT rely on my sights at the range in the military. We wouldn't knock shit around much but I wanted to get myself to the point where I could shoot by instinct. When it was important though, i ALWAYS put a little dot of white out on the tip of my sight post so I could EASILY spot it in the sights and at night. It works. That gun metal grey /black of the M116 makes it real easy to lose the tip of the sight post in the dusk

[@schlaubiderzweite2144]

16:46 ... Karl, a man of honor! :)

[@BelloBudo007]

Great fun watching you two chaps going for it like that. TBH I always presumed a service rifle with a scope was a sniper rifle, so there's a lesson for me.

[@jordanmiles7712]

Love my old smle 3, never thought about how awkward it would be left hand.

[@althesmith]

I used the 303 Enfield in Cadet competitions back in the '70's. It is painful to see someone work that bolt left-handed. Worked with the right hand, it's as smooth as silk. With the left hand it looks as comfortable as barely consensual sex with a porcupine.

[@GunFunZS]

The exclamation at 7:15 made me laugh. Clearly you've got a sense of humor to stay in character at a time like that. Am I the only one who got uncomfortable around 8:45 or so as Ian appeared to be aiming across Karl?

[@Cg262]

GunFun ZS I'm not sure what you're referring to but at 8:45 that's a split screen of us running the same stage at different times. Video can be deceptive but I can guarantee you that safety is paramount at these matches and no one pointed a muzzle at anyone during this competition.

[@GunFunZS]

That's why I said "appearing"... My point was that even though I understood it was split screen, my habits on the range have trained me to be uncomfortable at even the visuals. I thought that was interesting in itself- like a healthy "training scar." Since you seem to be Karl, let me say I am a fan of yours too. You guys both put a lot of creativity into making interesting events and historical face-offs. It would be a blast to hang out with you two for a weekend sometime. Perhaps we could see an interview of you with your strangest toys?

[@Belpheslaytallica420]

6:45 Karls K98 DMR scope begins to fall apart with each shot

[@cs512tr]

i was drooling over that No4

[@robbieatvic]

Watching a lefty shoot that awesome battle proven short action enfield was pure pain. What the lefty needed was a old school RSM to beat that crap out of him. Nice clip tho. Good effort none the less

[@tomtau913]

This is fantastic shooting range!!!

[@opalprestonshirley1700]

Another great demo/competition. Have either of you ever seen or used an M1 Garand sniper rifle, I saw one many years ago on the History channel but have never seen one in action. Thanks ATB.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

I've handled them, but not yet shot one. Karl has shot them, and is not particularly impressed.

[@gusthewiseone3247]

I happen to like these, “historical matches,” better then when you do the more modern guns. However I think I learn better information with the modern guns. Anyway good job all around.

[@Mongo63a]

Another great video of your match, I think the match videos are some of your best. I assume that all the other competitors are using modern guns and sights? If so pretty impressive that you guys finish that far up in the pack with bolt guns.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

There was one other shooter with a bolt action this time, but yeah - basically everyone else uses more modern guns. This match always has a higher than normal number of non-AR rifles - AKs, VZ58s, FALs, M1 and M1As, etc.

[@GunFunZS]

Forgotten Weapons Thanks for the info. I always assumed they were pretty much all ARs. It would be interesting to list an ~average score of one of the modern gear competitors against what you guys do, just as a reference.

[@derekv1183]

Forgotten Weapons what reticle did the MKIII SMLE scope use?

[@stephanl1983]

The scope that the british used in their SMLE sniper rifles was originally developed for the BREN Gun, like theese scope that the Japanese mount in their light machine guns.

[@brianwinters5434]

A wonderful posting.

[@CigarAttache]

These challenges are great

[@maxdavies5776]

The reason i like the 6.5 creedmore u can increase soldiers shots by 1/3 For same weight. & Swap into pistol. The duralense. Run a u rail to protect.

[@zacflemo1994]

OMFG i love the kar98, WAW memories

[@garrykoalman3684]

"OMFG i love the kar98, WAW memories

[@PotatoGunsRule]

I'm not a German, not a Nazi, not even a socialist, and I have many fond memories with a K98.

[@TroubleTwo]

Kangaroo Zac The Mosin Nagant was better than the K98 and had a cooler firing sound but I liked the style of the K98k more even though it didn't hit as hard.

[@itsjoeman5757]

Skunk Gaming same I used the Kar all the time cause it's a sexy beast

[@mopedjackson007]

YEAH! Yugoslavia represent!

[@panama-canada]

Although the equipment is important, it depends to a great extent on the operator.

[@williambattaglini7201]

Enfield bolt action was the best of all, so was quite simple for Ian to shoot fast. The Mauser wasn't good enough, I saw rebating the handle about 20% of rounds.

[@GunFunZS]

I'd like to see you guys do rematches sometime with the gear traded from prior historical match ups. i.e. Karl uses what you used, and you use his kit.

[@frbe0101]

Wow vidya does not at all replicate the real way these guns performed.

[@Skenderbeuismyhero]

Obviously we want to see the mosin sniper next. Do it in 105 degree heat with 98% humidity this time though!

[@timothyruggles7396]

As a lefty I was told to do it as designed I now do alot buolth ways smoothly. Love the #4MK1

[@lmomechtech7709]

Good times! Well done the both of you!

[@TheVierinsky]

I really like this fearly unfair matches ! keep 'em coming !

[@blueninja9263]

At times, the way how the video played out for both sides shooting, it almost felt like at times you guys were reacting to each other. And all I had in my head was imagining you guys were the world's worst snipers dueling it out.

[@chuckhaynes6458]

My 1917 Oberndorf Gew 98 and my BYF 43 Kar 98K both have extremely smooth and fast actions. Both have mis-matched bolts. The ZF41 scope is hardly an example of quality German optics. However keep up the good work as I enjoy these videos.

[@mod-mns]

The left hand sniper will have some trouble in the bolt of Lee-Enfield I think we noticed the differences between the two snipers in the bolts Recycling thanks a lot for that amazing video I really like it

[@VHSBD]

What was shooting in the background from 11:50 to 12:00, and (something else?) at 14:00?

[@Cg262]

VHSBD Other people shooting the same match.

[@citizenkane454]

Handling that thing like the American sniper from saving private ryan

[@redfoot69]

have u checked your enfield bolt spring see if need to replace enfield operate smoother and faster on the bolt than that

[@lisar3006]

I am interested in how the reproduction T -32 scope preformed and if it keeps zero. I bought a Zf-39 from the same outfit who makes the reproduction T-32 British sniper scope and it is a major disappointment. The Zf-39 reproduction scope was expensive so you would think it would be a good scope, It will not keep zeroed and the post will move up and down just by pushing on the adjustment knob. I want a T-32 but I am reluctant to do so with my experience with this crap Zf-39 scope. I was an armorer and range officer for decades so I know what I am doing so it is not operator error.

[@waltlars3687]

Cockney swearing was a nice touch useing the SMLEy

[@pkxpanz3r241]

The SS actually used Browning High Power as a sidearm after they took over the factory in Belgium i believe.

[@danfarrell8958]

303 is a rimmed cartridge, if your handloading you have to make sure the rim of the cartridge your loading is in front of the rim of the cartridge underneath it or it won't feed.

[@joepalone5200]

Love the challenge matches!!

[@piotrwoznica9100]

Ian lost again... :( (I'm gonna go watch the FG-42 vs BAR instead) BTW: He looks totally badass with this scoped .303!

[@grimpo3310]

Well it´s really not fair for lefthander. But still, I would like to see results if Karl used Zielvier (I am using Zielsechs and Zielacht on my K98k attached with LSR). Also sometimes it looks like little troubles to open/close bolt of his Preduzze44? I got one in the past and specially extracting of old surplus ammo was torture! K98k works much smoother.

[@specialforces3114]

2:20 didnt germany use hi powers after capturing the FN manufacturing? never knew anything about the english using hi powers in ww2 response would be very greatly appreciated

[@1701spacecadet]

FN sent the plans to England before the Krauts invaded. A company in Canada soon started producing them for the Allies. These were then shipped to England and were used by the Paras, SOE and SAS.