Guns | War History

HK433 Rifle: The Frankenstein Gun That Is Taking the World by Storm

Side by side images of the HK433 and the G36

German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch took a unique approach when designing one of their most renowned rifles. The G36 was devised in the 1990s…

The Mosin-Nagant Has Seen Over a Century of Service

Todd Neikirk
Lyudmila Pavlichenko aiming a Mosin-Nagant

Firearms saw tremendous advancements throughout the 20th century. One, however, distinguished itself above the rest and has remained in service for well over 100 years.…

Why is Russia Using the Soviet-Era KS-19 Anti-Aircraft Gun in Ukraine?

KS-19s lined up in front of a building

Recently, Russian forces have been spotted using KS-19 anti-aircraft guns during the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. The Soviet-era artillery piece is without a doubt powerful enough…

M61 Vulcan: A Modern Take on the Civil War-Era Gatling Gun

Todd Neikirk
M61 Vulcan on display outside

There has long been a competition between countries over who can produce the best fighter jets. This was particularly fierce with the United States and…

Bren Light Machine Gun: The British Weapon That Featured Heavily in North Africa

Todd Neikirk
British soldier aiming a Bren light machine gun

The early 20th century featured both massive wars and rapid advances in technology. Among the most prominent and effective weapons to emerge during this time…

MG-42: The German Machine Gun That Mowed Down Enemies On the Battlefield

Todd Neikirk
German soldier lying beside an MG-42

The Second World War was fought with a number of new technologies and weapons. In a conflict this intense, each nation was desperate to get…

5.56 vs 7.62: Which is the Better Long Distance Round?

Hand loading a magazine + Table lined with 7.62 x 51 mm NATO rounds

5.56 x 45 mm vs 7.62 x 39 mm; when it comes to ammunition, these two cartridges are among the most prolific and well-known. They’re…

Swiss K31 Rifle: This Straight Pull, Bolt Action Rifle From WW2 Is Now a Popular Collector’s Item

Swiss K31 rifles lined up against a wall

The Schmidt-Rubin Karabiner Modell 1931, better known as the Swiss K31 rifle, was the standard-issue firearm for the Swiss Armed Forces for decades. Widely considered…

M240: The Machine Gun Loved By Both Marines and the US Army

Todd Neikirk
Seabee firing an M240B mounted atop a Humvee

In 1884, the Maxim gun was created, forever changing warfare. Over the subsequent 100 years, the idea of the machine gun was continuously improved. Some…

The MP 40 Was Widely Used By German Soldiers During World War II

Todd Neikirk
MP 40 being held up in front of another firearm

The early 20th century saw two major wars fought within only a few decades, and since most of the world’s powers were taking part, the…

The M134 Minigun Was Designed for Helicopter Crews in the Vietnam War

Rosemary Giles
Door gunner manning an M134 Minigun from a Chinook helicopter

With an impressive legacy of roughly 60 years of service, the M134 Minigun was created in 1960 for use by the US military in Vietnam.…

Glock 19: One of America’s Most Popular Firearms

Todd Neikirk
US Air Force pararescueman aiming a Glock 19

While the “Glock” name has become iconic in the world of firearms, the brand only released its first pistol, the Glock 17, in 1982. The…