The Assault Rifle Story: A Weapon of Fate

Deutsche Version: https://youtu.be/hiVJ5BsfWuw

In this 78-minute documentary, we explore the origins and evolution of the most significant weaponry of the modern era. From the trenches of World War II to the rice fields of Vietnam and up to the present day, we analyze the technology, the people behind it, and the hard facts that have changed the world.

Contents of this documentary:

HUGO SCHMEISSER: The StG 44 – How a German invention revolutionized the concept of infantry combat.

MIKHAIL KALASHNIKOV: The AK-47 – The myth of indestructibility and its global triumph.

EUGENE STONER: The M16 – High technology put to the test and the path to modern modular weapons.

PEOPLE – WEAPONS – FACTS We look not only at the cold mechanics, but also at the fates of the designers and the historical consequences of their creations.

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⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTES & DISCLAIMER FOR REVIEWERS (RATERS):

Educational & documentary purposes: This video is intended solely for historical and technical information. It does not pursue any political agenda.
Safety notice: This video does not provide instructions on how to build, modify, or illegally acquire weapons. All models shown are for the purpose of illustrating technical evolution or historical events.
No glorification of violence: The presentation focuses on design history and military history facts. The use of violence is neither shown nor glorified.
Compliance with guidelines: This video was created in strict compliance with YouTube's guidelines for firearm content (Educational, Documentary, Scientific, and Artistic - EDSA).
Expertise & authorization: The creator of this video is an officially recognized weapons expert and holder of a firearms license in accordance with §18 WaffG (German Weapons Act).
Legality: All weapons shown in the video are legally owned by the creator and are properly registered to him. The weapons are expressly not for sale.
Safe environment: All firing tests and practical demonstrations were carried out at an officially registered expert testing range in accordance with §27 WaffG (German Weapons Act) in compliance with all safety regulations.
Educational and documentary purposes: This video is intended solely for historical and technical information (EDSA guidelines). No instructions are given for the construction, modification, or illegal acquisition of weapons.
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0:00 Start
9:24 Schmeisser gets to work
10:19 Competition - Walther
12:56 The Order
14:29 Hitler's command
18:07 The Führer decides
20:09 The Sturmgewehr 44
24:28 Disassembly of the Stgw 44
47:50 Chrony Test Stgw 44
28:43 Five-Shot-Test Stgw 44
30:32 Russia
32:38 Mikhail Kalashnikov
34:37 Death of an inventor
37:37 The AKM gun
40:17 Disassembly of the AKM
42:06 Chrony Test of the AKM
43:05 Five-Shot-Test AKM
45:00 California
47:15 At ArmaLite
53:22 Sold to Colt
57:04 The M16
53:38 The AR-15/M16 guns
62:20 Chrony Test AR-15
63:47 Five-Shot-Test AR-15
66:05 Conclusion