How Does it Work: Short Stroke Gas Piston

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How Does it Work: Short Stroke Gas Piston
The short stroke gas piston operating system is common on modern rifles. It is defined as a gas piston which travels less than the distance of the bolt carrier (and is thus by definition not connected to the bolt carrier). This is in contrast to the long-stroke gas piston, which travels the full length of bolt carrier movement. The short stroke gas piston system was first made popular in the Soviet SVT-38/40 rifles, and was used in the Armalite AR-18, which formed the basis for many modern semiautomatic rifles.
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[@scambroselauntrellus3681]

Ian, please PLEASE do more of these technical videos. They are so useful and simple.

[@baronsamedi1251]

Amen!

[@rotwang2000]

The Wildey, or how to make a Desert Eagle owner feel inadequate ... Great video !!!

[@bernhardschmid9222]

Jep. The Desert Eagle is actally pretty resonably sized for the size of 50AE. That thing he has there with that annular piston is just a bad design

[@bernhardschmid9222]

Fun Fact. Compare the design of a Desert Eagle to a S&W model 41. In Essence the Desert Eagle only has a rotating bolt instead of a simple breachface and an additional gas block in the barrel. But the layout and even disassembly is disturbingly similar.

[@Sir_Godz]

it's YUGE

[@Sarrienne]

Too right, Rotwang - I want one!!!!!

[@sangerzonnvolt6712]

Its Hugh Mungus Or Hugh Jass

[@Arthurzeiro]

It would be nice to have the name of the firearms appear in the video as you show them, just a little suggestion.

[@John_Raynor]

From what I see. Bottom: Czechoslovak Vz.58 Middle: By the look of that charging handle I'd Suspect AR180 or some of the older SIGs Top: Soviet SVT-40 Tokarev (or copy of it), again very distinct Charging Handle

[@r3hawk]

Also the slow motion video is a G43.

[@Arthurzeiro]

@@John_Raynor Yeah, I could see the czech Vz and the SVT, but since these videos have an educational purpose, and in this one in particular the guns are partially disassembled, having their designation pop up on the corner of the screen could increase the information delivered.

[@hartman12349]

ArthurAlcantara - , everybody knows well

[@John_Raynor]

@ArthurAlcantara I absolutely Agree, it would be nice to have those descriptions there

[@daveshrum1749]

I appreciate you going over the basics. As a casual gun person myself I picked up a lot of this from watching your videos but it's nice to have it said straight out in plain language with examples. Love your videos Ian keep up the great work.

[@smokingkittenz42]

Ian bless amen

[@maximilianswansson1264]

Wow, that wildey pistol looks awsome!

[@zippy-zappa-zeppo-zorba-etc]

Looks like a sci fi ray gun

[@gunfisher4661]

Quite a bulky of a moose pistol looks like it should be chambered for dangerous game

[@MrDgwphotos]

Mmm, I think it looks like the world's ugliest pistol, and my dad agreed.

[@pancakerizer]

Following the classic inverse relationship between "practical" and "awesome"

[@waderedekopp4785]

I gotta check and see if Ians done a video on that thing!

[@toddellner5283]

These "How does it work" videos may be the most useful thing on this excellent channel.

[@chipsterb4946]

Fantastic explanation! That bizzaro pistol taught me what the gas “piston” is in my Browning A-500G shotgun. It has a rubber sleeve that looks almost identical to what you showed here. I understood how it functioned but never thought of it as a “piston”.

[@davidgreen40]

Ian, That was a wonderfully concise explanation of the difference between a long- and a short-stroke gas piston system. Bravo! DG

[@csours]

Buck Rogers called, he says he really wants that Wildey.

[@TheWolfsnack]

...he hasn't seen Ian shooting it yet.....

[@jayzenitram9621]

I could have sworn it was Marvin the Martian that called.

[@yop_cholo]

Oh, yes, it has answered many of my questions about gas pistons, some of which I didn't even know I had before watching the video. Thanks !

[@whatTheFup]

Love these small informative videos, even though ive built an understanding of the terms over the time ive been following you, these are nice to see :)

[@user-xq5og9lt8p]

Damn, I can't even say "short stroke gas piston system" and you nailed it every time!

[@katyblackheart1529]

Do more of these please I like how simple you make it and how you’re not promoting 20 different thing. It seems you genuinely care about sharing this knowledge and it’s great.

[@nathanielbond3053]

I was waiting for this one because I didn't know what was exactly a short stroke or a long stroke,so thank you a lot!

[@1804unclesam]

This is the first time I’ve seen a slow motion live fire demonstration of a piston system, and I have to say it is very informative. Keep up the great work Ian.

[@valrabellkeys9867]

I didn't recognize the VZ 58 until he dropped the bolt. By the way, great video & great explanation!

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

I love my Adams Arms AR short stroke pew pew :) I was iffy about the weight in front at first, but it turned out to feel nicely balanced when firing and is SOOO much easier to clean. My concerns over copper fouling turned out to be mythical and went away after sending enough break in rounds downrange.

[@EnglishCountryLife]

This stuff is superb Ian. Thank you.

[@jimlind9449]

This is EXACTLY the kind off informative video I've looking for on the subject. Thank you Ian! Like all your videos, awesome and very insightful.

[@fudj12]

Awesome vid Ian! Always confused me how long vs short were delineated. Makes sense!

[@Deritiu5]

Love your short educational video's. Thanks and big thumbs up!

[@Clickmaster5k]

I really appreciate this new style basic firearm mechanics videos you are doing. Iv heard these terms a lot but not until your videos do I understand fully what these terms mean or the practical differences between some of these things.

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Thanks for the knowledge Ian. Excellent video about short stroke gas piston systems.

[@HrHTeam]

This series of videos is simply amazing.

[@LewisRenovation]

Thanks for ther series. Learning lots.

[@specter420gmail]

Really like these how they work videos. Short and simple but explains it all

[@blamokapow137]

You sir, are a gun Saint. One of the few people I've seen who loves guns for than I.

[@raphaelhanna8345]

I personally think I might prefer short stroke piston guns because they have the balance between reliability and controllable recoil

[@adamfarrell6697]

This was great, thank you, your channel has helped me understand so many mechanical designs. It was so difficult to understand things like roller delayed actions and the recoiling action of the PTRD from what i was reading in firearm encyclopedias. Could we got more videos like this of things like bolt hold opens, LMG feeding mechanisms, triggers, muzzle devices, cartridges, and a few examples of each type of action?

[@davidwallace5738]

I love these "How does it Work" series. Keep it going buddy!

[@stevejenkins9984]

It did it answered most of my questions about you short stroke gas Pistons thank you! I can only hope one day to be as knowledgeable about Firearms as you are Ian he do a fantastic job! I appreciate you taking the time to really explain how some of these parts and pieces and Designs work together

[@nathanb1084]

great stuff Ian. Thank you

[@rocpile1141]

Excellent work, thank you again, Ian !!

[@joelk9603]

Ian, excellent presentation, very informative and enjoyable, more please!!!

[@xxxXOctaneXxxx]

Been subscribed for years, must've missed this one. Just what I was looking for!

[@Rudofaux]

By the Emperor! Ian really is Gun Jesus. How else would he get his hands on a stubber from 40k?

[@kenhelmers2603]

I like these "How Does it Work" videos. A basic function review is cool :) Thanks Ian

[@OlujaDoTokija]

So when's the Wildey video coming? :D

[@JeKramxel]

Love this series!

[@CanadasElite]

Thank you, these are super informative.

[@a.t6066]

For anyone who wants to know, the rifles he is handling are the vz58, ar18, and svt 40

[@bf945]

Excellent. I never understood what made a "short stroke piston" short. Thanks for the clear explanation.

[@septiantripangestu9406]

That is one funky looking handgun

[@bernhardschmid9222]

I really hope Ian will some day dedicate a video on the development history of the crazy self regulating, self contained gas system of the M14.

[@ThickestKYLE]

Thank you Ian, very cool!

[@xfscz7258]

Great series! Learned so much with ease. Thank you :)

[@124thDragoon]

I know this is quite esoteric but I'd appreciate a comparison of classical short stroke piston systems to tappet-style short stroke pistons, if anything as an addendum to this video. Also, I'm pretty sure David Marshall Williams deserves his own video because his life story is absolutely absurd while also being very relevant to modern firearm design.

[@michaelblacktree]

So far, I'm really liking this video series. 👍

[@jannegrey593]

Knowledge is Power. But seriously I appreciate the time spent on teaching us.

[@morono4016]

Love to see more of the VZ, great seeing it on InRange!

[@ratchet2505]

Thank you very much Ian. I was looking for a very clear explanation of short stroke as I want to design a gun platform on it. ;)

[@1804unclesam]

Different strokes for different.... rifles?? Sorry, I’ll see myself out now....

[@Sir_Godz]

blokes

[@Bruh_moment_69420]

...dude .... I think I'm going to puke on that one

[@AN-fl6rz]

Thanks Ian.

[@onkelmicke9670]

To clarify, the stroke doesn't simply cycle the action, but makes the bolt carrier move to unlock the bolt.

[@FroxyCz]

I like this gun basics encyclopedia style of videos. Keep it up.

[@kevinreardon2558]

Thanks Eain (I hope that's how its spelt as there is nothing in the "About" section). I appreciate the technical detail you go into, otherwise this would be a sales seminar. No sign of that here. Thanks again.

[@criffermaclennan]

And gun jesus did come down from Mount smokeless powder and did explain the commandments to the masses... Thou can use but probably shouldn't use the short stroke piston on a hand gun, but thou most definitely can on a rifle... Amen

[@sean7456]

And short shall be the stroke of the piston, according to their kind. Not long nor direct impingement but short, according to their traditions and customs. And lo, did Ian see it and proclaim that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning on the 4th day.

[@LazyLifeIFreak]

Amen.

[@elijahaitaok8624]

Praise be to Gun Jesus our holy Messiah. We pray to thee for knowledge of our sacred firearms, be it flintlock or electric.

[@fourthhorseman4531]

Amen.

[@boatrat]

Showing a physical example here of the "long stroke" alternative as mentioned, would have been nice to illustrate the practical contrasts. The specific point I'm now headed off to research, is how things must inevitably be arranged differently, for the ejection port and/or reloading process to remain unobstructed by a long stroke piston/rod extending across the middle of the action. (That is, without placing it somewhere weird, like, over on the left side or something?)

[@epl803]

Agree; the AK by his definition and explanation would be a long stroke as the 'piston' is physically attached to the bolt/bolt carrier but I think the audience would really benefit from Ian giving examples for each type of operating system, even just displaying a text list would be nice for the novice viewer...

[@MarvinCZ]

That's probably another video.

[@jayzenitram9621]

Cue M1 Garand or M14 video.

[@ExtremeUnction1988]

@@jayzenitram9621 M1 Garand is long stroke, M14 is short stroke

[@tigerfighter4744]

this is actually really cool, not only seeing interesting guns but also how they work, even just the principles. Although there are a lot of "cut away"-animation videos, this one for once i actually understand (maybe i was just watching the wrong ones).

[@cinedelasestrellas]

At 2:37, it may be bulky, but it is the perfect weapon for hunting gigglers!

[@themaximus144]

I only recently started to get into firearms and firearms history over the past couple years thanks to The Great War, and C&Rsenal. I can't emphasize enough just how much I value these how does it work videos you've been putting out recently. As someone whose fascinated by all this stuff, but has really had a hard time piecing together how firearms actually operate, they are really very helpful.

[@Gattobuono]

Very informative thanks.

[@drhoads9]

Very cool video; it would be cool as you're going through these to mention why you'd want a short stroke vs long piston, or other mechanism (i.e. advantages/disadvantages, and what issues they address). That would help put the design in context, and show why you'd design something like this.

[@charlieghague]

That Wildey looks like a Star Wars Blaster.

[@Mr.Autodelete]

YESSSSSS KEEP THEM COMING!!!!

[@bigslop8298]

I quite enjoy this series

[@tobiashagstrom4168]

That Wildey pistol looks like it's some design from a video game.

[@Sverbog]

Not sure if this is a thing already or not, but I would love a "how does it work" series from this channel!

[@jnathannger8654]

WHERE HAS THAT PISTOL BEEN ALL MY LIFE

[@John-qy7rp]

That pistol has SPACE written all over it.

[@Kr-nv5fo]

The Wildey could use some improvement. Maybe redesign it into a broad-stroke mechanism? The gas is vented from the barrel into the boiler, whereby steam is generated in the water tubes, which in turn operates a piston that turns a lever with a ratchet to move the slide.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Ian .

[@loupiscanis9449]

" Gas system piston " I betcha had fun with that one .

[@loupiscanis9449]

sorry , but i just have to say it, " I am a huge fan of the Short stroke"

[@tomalexander4327]

Love the space gun!

[@joshuagrahm3607]

That wildley is absurd. I love it

[@gflex3505]

definitely answered one of my questions, that handgun is massive lol

[@shadowwolf2608]

can you do one of these on how a disconnected in say a 1911 or any handgun with a hammer prevents the hammer from immediately going while you are still holding down the trigger?

[@Galil_Ace]

I’m a new rifle owner so thanks for this

[@ollilehtonen6764]

That Wildey looks.. Interesting.

[@drag1286]

Thank you.

[@lovecraftcat]

Daily reminder Ian promised a full video on the Wildey like 3 years ago. Now he casually pulls it out as an aside.

[@kilroywashere9343]

That pistol looks like something out of a sci fi film

[@B52Stratofortress1]

In my opinion the short stroke gas piston system is the above and beyond best way to create a self-loading rifle.

[@matthayward7889]

Brilliant as always! I feel smarter already :)

[@Robban.D.Jonsson.]

Awesome video. Please do one on that weird looking handgun as well.

[@454pakr]

Thanks!

[@SurajGrewal]

Holy cow! Make a video about that pistol

[@NanoElite666]

That is a spiffy-looking handgun.

[@expio4257]

That SVT in a black, presumably polymer stock, physically hurts me.

[@AlexN2022]

we need a separate video on that pistol

[@dimscrawl4910]

Finally. After watching 400+ Forgotten Weapons videos, I learn what a gun is.

[@macjameson1930]

Thus spake Ian, prophet of the gun. Sic finis lectionis.

[@Survive1llc]

I’m pretty sure the first rifle was a CZ58, which is a really great gun.

[@karsonstreet6180]

Please do a video on that wildley pistol. That looks forgotten and interesting.

[@FunWithGuns]

Cool pistol! Looks like a highpoint 1911 had a baby with a star wars blaster!

[@azimhashmi6694]

no doubt you are very excelent weapon engineer!!! your video are full of information i suggests you to be the advisor of IWI or Hk company..

[@charles_wipman]

Maybe add the date that each system was invented or produced will be apreciated for the viewers too.

[@leary4]

I love the Lee Enfield piston variant, that was just one weird beast

[@knifekitty_ls]

wow thats lotta gas piston systom

[@bubba200874426]

That handgun is a monster.

[@Yomommalinkmugen]

you should do the m47 dragon. What a strange design for a missile system