Walther WA2000: The Ultimate German Sniper Rifle

The Walther WA-2000 has a reputation of being the ultimate German sniper rifle, with no expense spared in its design and construction. Designed in the aftermath of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, the WA2000 was intended to be a police sniper rifle, not a military arm. It is a bullpup layout and semiautomatic action, chambered for either 7.62mm NATO or .300 Winchester Magnum. Manufactured until 1988, less than 200 were made in total, as its incredible cost ($9000 list price in 1988) prevented it from being adopted by anyone outside the West German police.
We will discuss the history of the gun, and the various elements of its design. Is it really the best sniper rifle ever? Well...it is a really magnificent gun, but exhibits a number of antiquated features by today's standards - like not having a free floated barrel. We will disassemble it (no simple task!) and then take it out to the range.
Also, make sure to check out the InRange video where we put the WA2000 to the test against an SVD Dragunov: • Ostfront 1987: Walther...
/ forgottenweapons
Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! shop.forgottenweapons.com

[@PhantomSavage]

I now see the incredible irony that a large part of this gun's fame in modern media is the fact that Agent 47 can store it in pieces inside a briefcase and then, within seconds, assemble it and be ready to fire.... and it was a considerable pain for even Gun Jesus to disassemble even WITH tools.

[@anthonypritchard2798]

Gun Jesus can disassemble it in a matter of miliseconds, how dare you underestimate his power. He's just disassembling it slowly for the viewers.

[@karstenalbers2255]

Let's also marvel in the fact that 47 can fit a broadsword in a standard business briefcase though

[@nat040496]

Pretty sure Modern Warfare 2 is the reason people know this gun so well. It's popularity from Hitman was multiplied by it first existing in MW2. Modern Warfare is MASSIVELY more famous than the Hitman franchise

[@Dennogin]

@@nat040496 The WA2000 was in the first Hitman (Codename 47) all the way back in 2000, but its more popular sequel Blood Money (2006) made the WA2000 a lot more synonymous with 47, way before MW2 was even released.

[@HardikMeel]

how dare you compare hitman with measly jesus?

[@MeursaultWithFactor50]

It’s very interesting how a gun can both look old-fashioned and futuristic at the same time.

[@johnclark6139]

german engineering summarized in a statement

[@dabootvv]

it's german after all :D

[@kriss3401]

right?! many guns like that feels like the belong in cyberpunk as well as something from the 80's

[@JACS420]

@@kriss3401 it is a 80s/90s era gun. It was mentioned in the video. Also Russia made a similar 7.62x39 civilian/tactical rifle called the vepr that is fairly same size. I believe the wood stock is more symbolic with quality and craftsmanship. If you wood stock any marksman rifle they become quite complex quickly. The weight/expansion of the wood stock really helps eat recoil, and eats the shock. Especially 300mag. Ian made a big deal about field stripping, but with a bull pup style action I really doubt this thing would have a cycling issue unless you poured cement or mud right into the breach. Being a 20k+ rifle I really doubt he wants to field test it lol.

[@KG4949-r9f]

a halo rifle with a woodgrain skin.

[@sanu4frndzs]

"Is it a beautiful sniper rifle?" "Yes, it is." "Is it very accurate?" "I don't care."

[@lif3andthings763]

It looks ugly as fuck.

[@LordVader1094]

@@lif3andthings763 Silence, heathen.

[@kasmidjan]

r/wooosh

[@s_t_r_a_y_e_d]

@@lif3andthings763 the Inquisition appreciates your willingness to admit heresy guardsman. Your sentence shall be swift.

[@elbolainas4174]

@@s_t_r_a_y_e_d _You have sullied your hands with filthy parchments of heresy guardsman, how do you plead?_

[@TheInsaneTeddy]

Where's the smiley face in the scope?

[@DannieDecentVlogs]

Mw2 nice

[@argonianvideo4439]

Lol

[@sethmoyer]

I think it's actually a Mr. Yuk sticker.

[@urielsandoval3326]

I'm a remingtonz

[@bluecollarcanuck]

It's German. There is only a Serious face. ;)

[@01ahmadhachem77]

“The flash hider that looks like a flash hider” *the floor here is made of floor*

[@fabioonofri2768]

Well the fist model had something attached that didn't look like a flash hider at all

[@chemieju6305]

@@fabioonofri2768 maybe the floor im model one was made of something else than floor

[@pyrrehraus6571]

@@chemieju6305 ah, yes. The floor was made of ceiling back then when Issac Newton didn't invent gravity

[@calebchan-nantais5308]

What exactly is "floor"

[@chemieju6305]

@@calebchan-nantais5308 floor is whatever you make it into

[@josephevans1798]

I live in a small town in British Colombia Canada, and with our laws here, if any firearm is sized from criminal means it is automatically destroyed. But a few years ago 2014-1015 there was a drug dealer and business man who also happened to be a firearm enthusiast was raided by the RCMP and they found dozens of firearms including a WA2000. They were originally going to destroy it but after seeing the significant an effort of the rifle as a piece of history they donated it to the local gun club in a town called Kamloops.

[@josephevans1798]

Just thought it was a cool and relevant story.

[@liechtensteinmapper66]

Yeah I already heard that :D

[@DarkPsy]

Because the police realized that it would be a crime against humanity destroying a piece of history like that.

[@weirdscience8341]

Kamloops 😂sounds like an engine parts

[@MsPedross]

Very well!

[@AroeOran]

Normal people: WA-2000 Me: WAZOOOO

[@Zmeeed01]

You made my day. Now I know what to call this thing

[@kimkillillasfuq8212]

I will now be referring to the Walther WA-2000 .308 rifle as the "Wazoo"

[@ReaverTheSurvivalist]

Waaaaaa... ZOOOM

[@anakinskywalker2953]

@@kimkillillasfuq8212 me too

[@durim187]

If they named it wazooo it would be a best seller

[@MikMoen]

"Failure to fully eject" sounds like a bedroom mishap.

[@alswann2702]

Fitting. Looks like '70s bedroom furniture.

[@ArcturusOTE]

Failure to fully eject - congratulations, we just found the title of Ian's seckstape

[@SebAnders]

If that j was an r then you'd have a problem!

[@almostii]

Oh boy

[@mr.meowgi9876]

Lol

[@punman5392]

It's German. You're supposed to be the adjustable one

[@eduardoandres5989]

lmao

[@melodrama9098]

Gut gesagt, mein Freund

[@charlesleonitol.iringaniv8320]

Mate, it's German Humor. It's never funny

[@derb7462]

Of course because the rifle iz perfect. Why you not perfect ?

[@TyTy-kg3fd]

German humor is no laughing matter

[@Vodkasnez]

Legends say that whenever you aim with this rifle, you can faintly hear Ave Maria in the distance.

[@Authent12]

This looks like a perfectly awkward precise shooting tool for the urban warriors

[@RyleKittenhouse]

Love that song

[@Kepe]

@@RyleKittenhouse Yess, definitely look up Christina England Hale's version of Ave Maria. That's what they used in the game I believe, and it is the best version I've heard. Chills down my spine every time she starts singing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnrJeHWmi9uep6s

[@clueless4085]

Blood Money was such a classic.

[@Chris-pb3se]

God that things gorgeous. Not only would my father have probably traded me for that in the 80’s, I probably would’ve cried happy tears for his good fortune.

[@JeremiahDouglas]

If the gypsies didnt take you I doubt the germans would of either.

[@Brandelwyn]

@@JeremiahDouglas now that's just mean. Besides, hes not a horse (I think)

[@wizzotizzo]

that's an... interesting way to put it

[@jbilyard3]

Knowing one day you will inherent it

[@RaptorJesus]

You're a good son.

[@frvits]

Police around the world: Stun guns. German police: Tsun gun.

[@thewheezychannel9473]

This bad girl can spit out about 100 bakas per minute

[@jack_copperz]

Your pfp isn't going unnoticed, shikikan

[@dongjunleejuly13th]

and your profile picture is WA2000!

[@absolutelynothing1131]

no

[@adamvrandenberg]

How to know if your gun is a tsun? Simple. Gently pat it and whisper "you're the best gun i have ever had". If it goes red, then you have one.

[@ALegitimateYoutuber]

To the person to loaned Ian this gun to show off, thank you sir or mam. You are the real mvp.

[@defaultusername123]

John J truly. I’ve always wanted to see one of these “in the flesh”. Very cool rifle with some of the most pretty furniture ever

[@MarktheRude]

>9000$ list price when in production You are probably not going to do a mudtest with this now are you.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Yeah, probably not.

[@gunfumaster1024]

9,000 dollars is like the price of a Barret M82...

[@toadie2k]

in 1973. Adjusted for inflation, that gun today is between 40 and 50K based on the original asking price (relative inflation being between 350 and 450%). Granted, that price gets relatively better value by the time it stopped production, you're still choosing between one of these or a half payment on a 2017 Porsche Carrera.

[@reignick1133]

There are only two that I know of available for purchase and the price starts at $42,000 USD for the 7.62 NATO version.

[@jordanwalsh1691]

Good estimate. There was one posted on Guns America at some point in the past with an asking price of 47k (wayback.archive.org/web/20150512024625/www.gunsamerica.com/977093425/-VERY-RARE-Walther-WA-2000-308-Sniper-Rifle.htm)

[@boiledelephant]

"How much does it cost, sir?" "Vell, how much do you haff?"

[@chibbacurley62]

@CRIMNALSNEAK "I washed for supper!" that's the first thing that came to mind lol

[@Gman941]

"this thing is pretty darn light recoil for a 300 Win Mag" *Weighs close to 16 pounds

[@taterskins1033]

My hunting rifle, unloaded with a scope, weighs 4 pounds. I have learned much respect for the .300 win mag

[@antonhallergren588]

@@taterskins1033 my father uses a 366tkm (9.55x39) rifle that weighs barely 6 lbs lovades with a scope. That thing just hurts to shoot.

[@shootymcshootfacekoff7972]

@@antonhallergren588 I use a dSHk 12.7x108mm hmg and it kicks like a, well, dSHk

[@antonhallergren588]

@@shootymcshootfacekoff7972 i can imagine. But how the hell do you get ahold of one of those or are you in military service? Even then arent those like from the 1930s and 40s?

[@shootymcshootfacekoff7972]

@@antonhallergren588 ssssh... previous red army service and is a gunsmith with “connections “

[@ArionEquus]

I always liked the aesthetics of this rifle. So weird and square, but with wood grips and stocks... It's not like many other weapons.

[@troglodyte8242]

Legion Red Hey I know you from somewhere.

[@ArionEquus]

I'm known in many circles.

[@khosrow]

Rounded wasn't efficient enough.

[@argonianvideo4439]

(Coughs in almost all the rifles in the AK series)

[@uwuowo4856]

Svds is the real nice one

[@hippymad1]

are you happy internet? Are you happy now?

[@dmrsdump3994]

hippymad1 Yes

[@user-yj8vj3sq6j]

o yeah

[@moiseman]

Never

[@DudeNumberOnePlus]

Yes.

[@andreizedlav7303]

"When is the WA2000 video coming?"

[@TimLee356]

WA2000 owner : why buy a house if you can't protect it.

[@LFDNC]

And your neighbors’ at the same time?

[@noomeron]

6:45 it's a rifle that's designed to hug. 😊

[@gjg5789]

Why must true and pure beauty be so unattainable?

[@CodyHayzett]

It is because of the fact that they are unattainable that they are perceived as true and pure beauty (In most cases)

[@sortedevaras]

It's part of its moe charm to never be obtainable.

[@UncleMerlin]

y'all are just *POOR*

[@nSpiraliArchitectb]

@@CodyHayzett This rifle is a beautiful piece of engineering whether it's rare as hens teeth or on every gun store wall.

[@Jackdiddly1]

Yeah the cheapest I've seen is 75k starting bid.

[@Irondrone4]

You know, watching Ian's shooting footage that's been slowed down and filmed by a high-framerate camera really gets me thinking of how they animated the weapons in Killing Floor 2. Because 50% of that game is gun porn, they animated the weapons at 200fps specifically for moments when the game goes into slow motion, where you can actually see barrel flexing and parts rattling about. It's an almost unnoticeable touch of animation, but it shows just how much time and effort some people are willing to put into showcasing their weapons.

[@SemihG22]

Because guns and their engineering are awesome

[@keenanevans7888]

KF2 always had the best feeling and *_sounding_* gunplay of any shooter I've experienced.

[@Bakamoichigei]

One of my favorite guns ever, such an interesting design. I had no idea there were less than 200 made... I suppose that means there's more airsoft replicas of it than there are real ones, and even _those_ are rare!

[@IainDelaney]

I have the airsoft, and even it is stupidly accurate!

[@matthewlove2473]

Having a bipod on the top of the gun is interesting... It's more like the gun is hanging below an object rather than resting on top of it.

[@GunsNGames1]

Yeah like it's hanging from something

[@ravileejones7381]

Perhaps a more stable configuration?

[@pbs1516]

I personally love it but many people hate it, it gives you very different feelings about how the gun moves when you move the rear end. The french FR-F2 has an upper/pendular bipod too. Check Fortmeier bipods if you want one for a random rifle! Unfortunately, small market means very expensive, in the ~300$ range.

[@aierce]

It's much more stable, you don't need to vertically stabilize the gun anymore

[@elvoandro7087]

Sounds silly for you maybe, but that is migitating recoil and was made so. It is not only an bipod to rest the gun like on other rifles.

[@2511Blackhawk]

The video everyone has been asking for since 2012. I love you Ian.

[@mancavestudios8955]

There isn't a millimetre of oscillation when that thing is discharged. This thing makes shooting an AK look like shooting a pool noodle.

[@bobhumplick4213]

very rigid. hard to do with a 300 mag

[@wraithwyvern528]

That's not necessarily a good thing due to how barrel harmonics work, but that wasn't completely understood when this rifle was made. I'm actually more impressed at how accurate they made the rifle without having a free floating barrel and in a bullpup assembly.

[@jalpat2272]

@@wraithwyvern528 teutonic enginering.

[@phalanx3803]

@@wraithwyvern528 it works because it wasn't half assed and was made solid as a brick.

[@phalanx3803]

@@wraithwyvern528 it works because it wasn't half assed and was made solid as a brick.

[@patresepdw]

Someone in our gunclub owned a WA2000 in 7.5 swiss. The firing pin broke after less then 100 shots fired by him.When he contacted Walther for a replacement they were very surprissed as they didn't know they had build one in that calibre.It took almost a year to get a functioning firing pin and get shooting again.I shot it several times,and had as many malfuntions. It truly was an experimental weapon, looked cool ,cost a fortune and was very prone to problems.

[@earnem4175]

Yeah. It was made in Switzerland

[@user-uy7bn4kt2b]

​@@earnem4175 7.5 Swiss caliber

[@mattmarzula]

What a lame story. Any competent gunsmith or even machinist could have turned out a firing pin and there's no way Walther was surprised by the chambering of 7.5 Swiss. Which wouldn't matter anyways since the firing pin for any caliber is the same. Also, oil.

[@patresepdw]

@@mattmarzula : it was very lame , but still happened.

[@ididntmeantoshootthatvietn5012]

Cool story, thanks for sharing

[@JBNimbleBand]

It may not have been developed for military contracts, but it got me through a lot of contracts in Hitman: Blood Money.

[@MightySavagE]

Fun fact: WA2000 was featured in the film Equilibrium as a... shotgun. They just stripped the scope and bipod ;) BTW: PSG1 next!

[@ShogunMongol]

Fun fact: In the scene where that one woman (been ages since I've seen the movie, I don't know her name) is being incinerated, the guards are wearing Soviet PBF gas masks, which if my memory serves me correctly, were supposedly used by border guards. Also, for some bizzare reason, the cover that goes over the exhale valve and voice diaphragm is upside down.

[@drops2cents260]

+Azide You should really watch that movie. It's a shame that it didn't get the chance to get a broad audience in 2002.

[@zyndustriesTV]

Not only do you hear the sound in the movie, the rifle has not even been fitted with a prop to pretend it's a pump action. The actor just slides his hand down and up.

[@SunnyAznable]

Another weird fun fact- Clerics in the movie use fancy Beretta M93r pistols with funky compensators- but in all the promotional posters they appeared to be armed with Glock 17L's for some bizarre reason. They look bigger, I guess?

[@FrancisMarcosGaming]

a shotgun? really?

[@burlatsdemontaigne6147]

I'm surprised it just says "Made In Germany" if it was pre-1989 and re-unification. I have an old toaster - still going strong, which proudly declares Made in WEST Germany.

[@sillygoose210_6]

Burlats de Montaigne Maybe Walter wanted Germany to become one again at that time?

[@toddthompson3047]

'Made in Germany' VS 'Made in W. Germany' may help understand this complex issue. Throughout the the 42+ years of two German states, products produced in either of them were more often than not simply identified as 'Made in Germany'. Both, the Federal Republic (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) had written into their respective constitutions a professed belief in the indivisibility of a German Nation. Thusly, depending on the prevailing political sentiment and/or deliberate attempts at obfuscating the true origin, the statement 'Made in Germany' was thought to be internationally reinforcing the single German Nation idea.

[@burlatsdemontaigne6147]

European politics and the end of the cold war not your thing?

[@jigrodrigues]

Burlats de Montaigne West Germany was the real Germany. Their manufacture lost prestige since then even though they still are really good. When something was made in West Germany ir japan, it was definetly a top notch product.

[@no-better-name]

@@Sun-Tzu-, well, bread doesn't work underwater.

[@natorious314]

The design philosophy of this gun lives on in a lot of high end air guns. From stock design, to there not really being a "receiver", to the barrels often being made by Walther themselves. Kinda interesting to see that creep into a completely different market with similar accuracy requirements.

[@929Finn]

​​@@jjvvjj80377that isn't what he said at all, he's talking about design/shape of the rifle being similar to sporting rifles and not conventional firearms. Also air guns are not the same as airsoft.

[@laernulienlaernulienlaernu8953]

That entire wooden grip and buttstock is a work of art. I've seen lots of 'cool' guns (Cheytac, AWM etc, etc, etc) that look badass but this is a beautiful looking gun and it's hard to think of many of them off the top of my head.

[@ScriptedLinks]

@@TheFirstCurse1 That doesn't negate that it looks cool? Not sure the point of this comment.

[@Martin-zg7hx]

Its lame, M82 beats the living shit out of M200@@ScriptedLinks

[@Ceadda1220]

the one time I've heard about the WA-2000 was when one ended up being seized in Canada during a drug sting... they ended up donating the gun to a local shooting club...

[@MrPelcat]

Ceadda1220 Really? At least they didn't destroy it like most of the firearms they get their hands on.

[@MrPelcat]

Honestly, they should do this for all firearms they seize or the ones that are turned in.

[@vguyver2]

Vince Pelcat considering that some of the drug related guns are embelished, unlikely. One example some years ago had a drug sting confiscated a gold plated AK47.

[@MrPelcat]

V Guyver I didn't mean every gun they seize but a lot of widows turn in really neat guns to police stations and those mostly get sent to be destroyed.

[@vguyver2]

Indeed. A sad end to some rare firearms that they may come across. The majority of captured guns have a M1911 mechanism at heart. So it's not too common a loss for a rare variant unless someone robbed a collector.

[@blackwoodsecurity531]

*Head of Walther R&D* : It's already complicated enough, it should be simple to take the bolt out. *Walther employee* : But sir, what about your vision? The man in the year 2017 who will take it apart? *Head of Walther R&D* You're right, make it hard as hell to take the bolt out!

[@lewisbae1326]

Blackwood Security HEAD OF GERMAN MILITARY: NO YOU MAKE MORE RIGHT NOW. WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THE FATHERLAND GREAT AGAIN!!!

[@nejlaakyuz4025]

Bad Cornflakes if it isnt over engineered it probably isnt german

[@SexyFace]

that's a nonsensical stereotype. if it's over engineered, it's not practical. there are only a few instances I can think of where germany produced impractical weapons, this being one of them as well as the ridiculous rate of fire on the mg42

[@Bread_0]

@@SexyFace the immense fire rate struck fear in many men it was extremely effective

[@Bread_0]

@@SexyFace the mg 42 was lighter and cheaper to build than the 34 and was far from impractical lol it was relatively light and easy to operate. It had an effective range of well over 1500 yards with a bipod and telescopic sight. Also its ability to fire much faster is better for suppression than a slower round. You can even change the speed that it fires with a different bolt. The germans before ww2 had created a polygonal rifling which was a cold hammer forging process to strengthen the barrel for over 8,000 rounds of use before they could use the quick barrel replacement. This weapon also could be used for effective anti air dye to its rate of fire.

[@rvh1702]

Agent 47: heavy breathing intensifies

[@pilothan]

Raymon van Heesch lmao

[@aaronleverton4221]

007 walks by calmly. "Yeah, I used one in Czechoslovakia."

[@Pandaskypirate47]

Right bro it's dope in bloodmoney out the breif

[@enterprisethesylveon5787]

*holds breath* BANG

[@jhonnythejeccer6022]

Omg yes

[@nixxblikka]

What I appreciate about your channel, not only the selection of weapons but also the way you talk about them, it is interest driven and not glorifying.

[@StefanCzech]

Thanks for this very rare review of this gun. But at this time, I like to correct a wrong nummber "ghosting in the internet" for years: Production was between 1982-1988 Version 1: 82 piece Version 2: 75 piece Preproduction models: 20 with a "V" serialnumber. Total numer of 177 WA-2000 was build. Best reagards from Germany

[@Witzkobolt]

17:35

[@Sovereign_Citizen_LEO]

@Richard Foran - There is literally almost no realistic way to compare gun crime in the UK vs. the U.S. However, banning this rifle would make zero difference in "gun crime" anyway, and no criminal who obeys gun laws (sic), is going to use (or have access to) a $9000 extremely rare German sniper rifle (in the UK either). Nor is it practical to carry it around to commit "gun crime" with.

[@creesypie69okmong26]

@George Robartes oh yeah I remember that it was micheal Ryan who flipped out he had more than a Beretta 9 mm too he was walking down motorway with an AK-47 shooting at anything than moved but I also remember seeing this amazing gun when I was a kid in the James bond film the living daylights and was stunned by the beauty and how different and futuristic it looked I wd of loved to get my hands on one in a range but alas like u said here in UK you've no chance of getting hold of these sorts of weapons and we have to make do with puny air rifles but I suppose it's better than been in USA when anytime police pull u over you've got a high chance of them opening fire on you an never even bn asked what happened to the deceased in America alot of these cops end up retiring with a higher body count than most serial killers ever accomplish and that is a seriously scary thought ! G

[@creesypie69okmong26]

@George Robartes oh yeah I see u mentioned him having an ak I didn't read all of it before replying sorry pal but I still vividly remember that happening and I was only a schoolkid back then peace out ! G

[@tylerknight8119]

@@creesypie69okmong26 Hol up bro i lived about 5 miles from Ferguson the town where all the rioting happened from mike brown??? for like 5 years, and in the general area my entire life and have been pulled over numerous time and not once have i thought oh I'm about to get shot. Criminals try dumb shit and get shot the media blows it wayyy out of context and the cops look bad. If you don't do dumb shit like try to assault a cop, or pull a gun, or in some other way attempt to cause harm to the public or officers then you get your ticket, or warning and be on your way. Its that simple.

[@FiXXXer024]

I rewound about six times to listen to Ian's girly "woo-oww!" when the brass landed on his arm. Haha.

[@Spiderwest23]

Best tsundere.

[@cerealata9035]

Hello there, fellow Commander. And yes, WA(IFU)2000 best tsundere.

[@thewheezychannel9473]

Ah yes other men of culture

[@Andrew-ub5yc]

Shikikan of culture.

[@shujih473]

Hey griffin commander ! Let's go back to the base together

[@PanzerChief]

ahhh yes a fellow weeb one

[@D.K81]

James Bond used this rifle in the movie "The Living Daylights". This was the first Bond movie I ever watched, back when I was just 10 years old.

[@victorpapillon1487]

Africa nigga

[@generalilbis]

First time I saw this rifle was when James Bond gets to use a first model WA-2000 in the opening 30 minutes of "The Living Daylights"...still think it's gorgeous to this day 😍

[@krmould]

This is why I love the Forgotten Weapons channel...the chance to see a real life WA2000! Great video Ian. Please extend my sincere thanks to the collector who lent you the rifle. It is truly unicorn rare and the fact he (or she) allowed you not only to show it, but to disassemble it (gasp!) AND fire it, is truly generous and trusting in the extreme. Since I will likely never get to see or handle one in real life, this is a very welcome video. Bravo!

[@Sovereign_Citizen_LEO]

Your channel is by far the best (definitive) firearms channel on KZbin. Thanks for all the work/effort, research, and production you do (disassembly, reassembly, explanation, history, education, etc.).

[@rlaqhtp]

WA2000: recommended shipping with Springfield

[@acapraichu4879]

And some baka's

[@maggotpudding]

9000 dollars in -88 is almost 20,000 in todays money.

[@shawnc1936]

leka pö and realistic prices are probably 40k+ for collectors

[@maggotpudding]

If not more.

[@forza1sra]

Umm yeah, I'll get a machine gun instead.

[@bryan8259]

The prices google was telling me was more around 75K

[@Turgz]

bryan8259 That is how much newer models are worth, as in how much collectors would pay for one. The retail price would be 22k.

[@JonathanChappell]

Man you're right about this rifle being rigid and locked down. I can't even see any flex in the slow motion firing footage. I wonder if the designers thought that would improve accuracy.

[@oisin3495]

Jonathan Chappell it does help haha

[@Specoups]

It's a German gun. Of course it's rigid.

[@xx_mysticwolf_xx1492]

This gun is a viagra advertisement

[@sleeperawake9818]

When I was 12 or 13 I was looking through one of my dad's gun catalogs and saw the gen 1 Walther WA2000 (I remember that it had the solid flash suppressor). I was fixated on that gun, definitely looked super cool to me at that age and I wanted it BADLY. I went and begged my dad to get one or gift it to me, he didn't even look at the gun, just the price and told me I was crazy. I hadn't looked at the price, just the gun.

[@kodyballard49]

I live to see such a day restored when kids can look at a gun in a catalog and ask his father to get it for him. Thanks for sharing the memory

[@renegadewolfhound8786]

I'm 34 and this is not forgotten too me. Thank you for educating other people. Good stuff as always!

[@yes1sir1no1sir]

Ave maria...

[@WhispersOfWind]

beautiful.

[@mattig89ch]

ISureDoLikeCats +

[@jameshealy4594]

I spent hours in the treehouse, luring agents and then shooting them into the swimming pool. Great game, wish they'd bring back the first person option.

[@Clay3613]

Bond did it first.

[@dave1812]

The Living Daylights!

[@TaliZVasTyria]

3 words for this thing Precision german engineering

[@alecbaldwinsnotpropgun]

Or, German over engineering

[@vulpes1446]

Or Kraut Space Magic, but those 3 words are for the G11

[@darkandedgy1457]

yaz

[@deltasword1994]

More like pointlessly over engineered.

[@lighterinthestorm]

@@deltasword1994 Guess you are wrong, seeing how dominant the Germans are in anything precision related

[@JB0071051982]

I always remember this rifle from its appearance in the James Bond movie The Living Daylights (1987). Also being a history major, I find the background of this weapon fascinating despite it never being adapted by a military force in large numbers. When I play Goldeneye 007 (2010) multiplayer this is one of my favorite weapons to use.

[@TransistorBased]

Absolutely. People shit on the modern Goldeneye but on the Wii it's a decent amount of fun. The multiplayer is pretty great

[@all1nerd377]

Remember seeing this in "The Living Daylights" and absolutely loving the look then actually "using" one in the "Hitman" games makes this a classic!

[@ThZuao]

176 units made? Well. The G11 "Kraut Space Magic" had more than 1000 made. Can you get one?

[@M0torsagmannen]

G11 is so funky, would love that!

[@gedion749]

Done.

[@aoyawang3890]

There's already a thorough review about G11 made by Ian, go check that out!

[@WTFisTingispingis]

Ian, what the fuck are you some kind of wizard? Did you assassinate somebody to get this?!

[@DiggingForFacts]

He's no mere wizard: he's gun jesus

[@AldiDiarrheaWizard]

He's no mere wizard. He's a MagicIan

[@freddie9165]

Lame

[@3runAndGuns]

Shawn Eby underrated comment

[@tu-95turbopropstrategicbom55]

AtticWarrior1994 Ian 47

[@ExtraVictory]

Wow GFL wa2-chan must be so embarrassed that there's a video online showing her insides. Shocking exposure. Scandalous tactical doll.

[@acapraichu4879]

I can sense that someone's gonna make a doujin were shikikan tries to blackmail her by showing this video

[@ExtraVictory]

@@acapraichu4879 I might animate that myself. No point in being a small time pro weebtuber and 3Dcg artist if you aren't going to take advantage of a great opportunity like this

[@ExtraVictory]

@@CErra310 just two commanders going about their business

[@kzang386]

@@CErra310 gun weeb stuff

[@Adam7625555]

Incredible engineering that has gone into this. Money no object I'd still have the PSG-1 but much respect to the developers of both these rifles, aiming to never be undone by such a terrible incident again.

[@YCCCm7]

Jesus. I read on wikipedia only 15 were imported to the US. You ACTUALLY got your hands on one for a bit? Jesus, Ian. Not to be confused with "Jesus Ian", who uses Chiappa triple threat.

[@SJ23982398]

Agent 47 has the other 14.

[@boredandagitated]

ijw z this rifle and a soup can and agent 47 can’t be stopped

[@alfonzo_]

He even got to shoot it. It's such a rare treat.

[@glennelson8017]

It's Gun Jesus you peasant

[@JonasVilander]

Man, just with the field strip alone, mad props to you and either your research/gunsmith skills, and the kindness as well as balls of steel of the owner to let you take this thing apart. Thank you for the instructional video. You just earned a subscribe 3 times over.

[@Qingeaton]

Even more insanely complicated than I dreamed of. Awesome.

[@TheRealCFF]

I always wanted a Walther WA2000 for my personal gun collection. Immaculate craftsmanship in a firearm which seems to bridge the divide between modern mass produced 'tacticool' guns and the precision machined steel and walnut furniture which were the hallmarks of a gunsmith's art. Simply a superb weapon in every way and I wish they weren't rare and cost $100,000!

[@TransistorBased]

They cost quite a bit more

[@brendanrivera3183]

Love the retro-futuristic wood furniture on this thing; would look perfect with a Sokolovsky Auto. Didn't think so few of these were made, they're beautiful.

[@jackmaniscalco7274]

How in the hell did you get your hands on a WA2000? I'm actually impressed.

[@sillygoose210_6]

Jack Maniscalco they saw someone on the street open carrying one and he ran them over

[@DP-qm6qe]

Sillygoose210 _ He stole it

[@EricFoFo78]

They have one at the Spec Ops Museum by Ft. Bragg.

[@AllAboutMiims]

Lots of money.

[@herbertgearing1702]

Oh ye of little faith, as it is written in Browning 1911, all things are possible through gun Jesus.

[@danielweber9945]

Just beautiful this thing.... This mixture between wood and steel... No cheap plastic... Love it

[@Eadragonixius]

The WA2000 is my favorite sniper rifle without a doubt, it’s just a gun I can’t seem to ever get sick of

[@PKFlashBeta]

This weapon is so rare I've never seen it outside of video games, and it is WAY bigger than videogames make it out to be.

[@Steve_G88]

I don't know why, but the sound Ian made @ 21:18 when the hot brass landed on his arm made me laugh hysterically.

[@enesmusic6221]

Omg even at the beginning 😂😂

[@monteesabz8889]

Hahaha 😂 same here

[@sagrud]

What a beauty, in my eyes the epitomy of bullpup design, and the wooden parts make it look even better

[@Mitch3343]

If the F2000 is the "Tactical Tuna" then the WA 2000 is the "Tactical Marlin." Less catchy, i know. But fitting.

[@Kepe]

Maybe "Match-grade Marlin"

[@jerryaddington3310]

How the hell did you even get one to shoot??????? I only hear rumors and stories about this gun , like the Ex President of Walther Arms bought all of the imported stock and has them in his collection or one sold at auction for $90K! Not saying any of those rumors are true but still where did you get one to shoot? PSG-1's and true Russian Dragunovs' are extreamly rare to find but a WA2000 is like a unicorn!

[@c4snipar]

$9000 price tag in 1980s, that's crazy expensive.

[@Ze_N00B]

It'll cost you an arm and a leg... But then again, they wouldn't survive anyway if you don't have the advantage of precision german engineering.

[@verixsmelony7835]

Unless you're assassin hired by global contract agency

[@benjaminperez7328]

@@verixsmelony7835 Or working for His Majesty’s Government. 😉

[@14ccs]

Looking back at this video, I think the most impressive thing about this gun is just how little it flexes during operation. It must have something to do with all the components essentially being attached to 2 beefy frame rails.

[@nutshot_brawler8466]

I just came from the Striker-12 video and the SPAS-12 is in my recommended. Its like they know i used to play MW2. ACR FTW. MY FAV GUN

[@unidigit5687]

*sound of PSG1 fanboys gathering people and pitchforks*

[@Xanatos712]

What, all four of them?

[@eisenkrieg553]

UniDigit The PSG1 will forever be known as that other accurized German rifle from a few decades ago.

[@Infernal969]

+Xanatos712 I don't know what those three are doing but I'm chillin' right now.

[@reignick1133]

As an HK owner and fan : Nah we can always gather the parts and have a PSG-1 or MSG 90 ( the one ya really want is the MSG 90 as it's improved and far more durable being built for military application over LEO use.) built or DIY it if you know what you are doing ... The Walther WA 2000 is made of sheer desirable unobtanium and thus most of us HK fans acquiesce and hand the trophy to Walther as they won hands down. The WA 2000 could be built today using far cheaper and with more modern methods . The keyword of that phrase being "could be" as it's still going to require precise gunsmithing and serious testing, sure we could free float the barrel these days and have a far more direct mounting solution for the scope but the real 64 thousand dollar questions are : A : Will this work as well as the original ? B: Would it be worth it? C: Would there even be a viable market for it ? (As the investment into the research would be exhaustive & EXPENSIVE.) This gun is the apex predator of it's era , a strange beast which set forth so much by means of theory and practical proof , yet it is so specialized that the rifle has not a single cousin in it's evolutionary tree . Legendary , desired, nearly impossible to possess and blazing a trail all it's own.

[@Gakulon]

reignick1133 That ending reads almost exactly like an Xbox Ahoy weapon video ending.

[@i.m.filtering9221]

Sweet rifle. My father owned a 1st gen in 300winmag. Had nearly a full kit too. I see you have the backpack harness...That is a very hard to come by accessory. Coveted by fans of the gun. He sold the package a while back for .....a lot of money.

[@portal_jumper_7963]

I remember there was a supressed/silenced version of this in GoldenEye for the wii. This gun brings back memories just like the P99

[@matejmatej3554]

Back here after 3 years because of RIA new video on this beautiful rifle. Thank you gun Jesus Ian for sharing this wonderful rifle, greetings from sLOVEnia east europe

[@allmonkeysallthetime]

I have always wondered about that unicorn rifle. Thank you so much for the vid and for the owner to be so generous to let you share this! I have taken apart many firearms, but I would not be comfortable working on such a thing that costs so much. I expect you to do a review like this of a PSG1 next :P

[@GoredonTheDestroyer]

I would not mind a modern rendition of this rifle. Maybe add a scope rail, lighter, polymer furniture, and of course - a lower price (A second gen WA2000 in perfect condition goes for up to, and possibly over, $40,000).

[@Davenzoid]

GoredonTheDestroyer i think one of the reasons why it's so expensive is because of its vintage status. Modifying this rifle would render it worthless i assume, and is sure to earn you a few gazes of disgust in your direction.

[@GoredonTheDestroyer]

When I said modern rendition, I was referring to a modern reproduction, like HMG's STG. It would be the same basic rifles, but modernized for the 21st century marksman, complete with free-floating barrel, full ambidextrous capabilities, lighter furniture and a lower starting MSRP (say, $3500), and what you get is a more than capable .300 Win Mag marksman's rifle.

[@GoredonTheDestroyer]

And the fact that only 176 were made.

[@diobrando2575]

GoredonTheDestroyer I would want a full copy with weight and scope in all. I like faithful remakes. Though I will take the ambi stuff cause I have bad vision in my right eye so I would need it.

[@TJackson736]

I would too. Nice small rifle that is very accurate that has some nice features.

[@thej2241]

scrolling through KZbin and I happen upon one of my favourite obscure guns of all time in my recommended. amazing.

[@wizard1701a]

It‘s funny to see, that this expansive rifle has so many details in common with my air rifle at my rifle club in Germany (of course a Walther, too). :)

[@marcpomaville9429]

Is it a rifle club if they're air guns lol

[@wizard1701a]

@@marcpomaville9429 Interestingly, yes, because the air rifle has rifling and is thus a rifle and should you look at one of my air rifles, you may notice the similarity that I found so amusing. Do a search for pictures of "Walther air rifle". Maybe you will recognize what I meant. ;)

[@skaught7289]

I remember seeing that rifle in "The Living Daylights" one of my favorite James Bond movies

[@hisdukeness3037]

Hands down my favorite bullpup design. Helps too that I've used this rifle since the very first hitman.

[@_ArsNova]

Such an amazing, and well built gun. This is like the poster "supercar" of Walther firearms. Amazingly rare and well designed, so much so that it becomes iconic and helps promote their other products.

[@ajcox131991]

Fascinating that Interarms imported these... They also imported my .270, which originated from Zastava in Yugoslavia

[@thegoldencaulk2742]

"We spared no expense!" This rifle would please John Hammond

[@ORLY911]

It actually looks like it would work as a good weapon to put down escaped Velociraptors. :P

[@allencook6574]

kraut space magic 2.0

[@kuchaaowww7893]

Allen cook lol

[@mcgibs]

The HK G11 is next level kraut magick.

[@UnironicScrotumhat]

That sliding bipod is super cool. Probably quite useful for the kind of work the gun was made for.

[@MaztRPwn]

This is my favorite gun of all time. Id love to be able to own one.

[@Poolboy001]

Okay, G11 now.

[@AceTheMM]

FAWEXX I'd have to say that's incorrect. There were over 200 G11s produced and one or two of them are floating around as civilian owned weapons. There are also several G11s as show pieces. As for where to get the caseless ammo, you can't. It'd just have to be a review without shooting.

[@jamegumb7298]

AceTheMusicMan Ask an amateur rocket builder to make the solid propellant. They do that a lot and make some really dangerous explosives/solid propellant. Certainly they can make a small batch and shape it for the G11.

[@gedion749]

Christmas 2018 done

[@calebdavis1323]

Gun Jesus has answered our prayers

[@bodhranlowd]

Watching you taking it apart and removing the bolt looks like childbirth, not exactly painless.

[@yharnamiyhill787]

This gun is going for $75,000. Man. So impractical yet so beautiful.

[@fatefatefate]

It's one of the rarest guns ever made

[@mattmurphy7030]

One sold for $97,000 a while ago

[@chapmasi]

They have the actual WA2000 used in the Living Daylights at the NFC, Leeds (I worked there for 2yrs) l loved that film growing up and when I found it out it was the actual rifle used in the film I grinned for hours :)

[@prussianjger7050]

Ay it's the wawa

[@thewheezychannel9473]

Ew but yes

[@jack_copperz]

Wa-chan

[@sopmodtew8399]

@@jack_copperz Wa-chan

[@johncoursey2582]

It's like Frank Lloyd Wright designed a gun.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

Prairie style! :)

[@pikpok9407]

Wtf does have flw to do with guns? Lmao

[@IMN602]

Ha that's awesome. Grew up right next to his little museum in Scottsdale AZ

[@kellerGonZo]

hi, I'm from germany, its pretty crazy that you ( a guy from USA ) has to explain a German Rifle for me :D We never get our hands on stuff like this, keep going and make these nice videos !

[@Straightleg55]

You just have to prove that you have a demand in weapons. If you go hunting or target shooting it is no problem to buy weapons legally in Germany. Also a half automatic sniper rifle is no problem....

[@chrispbacon3042]

It is a solid looking piece of kit.

[@elguusko5481]

Speaking of rare guns, are there any Heckler & Koch G11 rifles in the US? I think the G11 is a very interesting piece of gun history and would make a great video!

[@EccentricSingularityMergs]

El Guusko I don't really know if they produced civilian variants, if not, they'd have to get their hands on military surplus, which is probably pretty hard for a rifle that never made circulation.

[@littlegrabbiZZ9PZA]

El Guusko If Ian ever comes to Germany, it will be done. I kinda know a museum board member, and they have both early and late g11s. Can't see any shooting happening though, the equipment to make the ammo doesn't exist anymore.

[@yamclam]

littlegrabbiZZ9PZA make this happen dammit

[@littlegrabbiZZ9PZA]

A Hunter Oh, I've sent email. We're basically waiting on Ian.

[@mrdrux]

there are a few at the H&K Gray Room in Virginia. I work at a gun store and my boss has been there a few times. hard to get in though.

[@kingweeb8014]

If Ian did a video of field-stripping a G11 it would be at least 2 hours long.

[@jackandersen1262]

King Weeb field stripping is no more slower than removing the bolt from your AR. The thing with the g11 is that the user just has to remove the self contained action (that piece of clockwork that you see in photos). To go further is an armorer level task only.

[@jskiillzent.9985]

Love your channel

[@pavlov58]

I wish they tried to make a modern version of this. Such a beautiful design.